BUCKHANNON – A classic murder mystery takes the stage at the Colonial Arts Center this weekend as Buckhannon Community Theatre presents Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted by Ken Ludwig and directed by Laura J. Meese.
The story begins when a snowdrift stops the luxurious Orient Express in its tracks. By morning, an American tycoon is found stabbed to death in his locked compartment. With the train stranded and a killer among the passengers, detective Hercule Poirot must uncover the truth before anyone else is harmed.
Greg Phillips, who plays Samuel Ratchett, said working with the cast has been a highlight of the production. Phillips joined BCT in 2022 and said he has been impressed by the talent in the local theater community.
“I have been really surprised at the talent that we have in a small community that has this type of background,” Phillips said.
“Where else could you go and see wonderful entertainment by local people?” said David Carson, who plays Michel the Conductor. Carson said live theater offers a shared experience between performers and audience members that differs from watching television or movies.
“There’s something about the energy that happens on stage that is then reinforced by the audience,” he said.
The production also gave younger theater participants a chance to take on leadership roles. Student directors Maddie Ernest and Harper Currents each directed a scene under Meese’s supervision.
Ernest, who has participated in theater since she was about 11, directed the scene in which the characters board the Orient Express.
“I love theater. I love all types of theater,” Ernest said. “I just wanted to help out as best as I could.”
Currents, a 16-year-old high school junior, said directing her own scene was a rewarding experience. Although she typically performs onstage, she enjoyed the opportunity to lead a scene and collaborate with the cast.
“It’s been super fun, and I’ve grown to really enjoy hanging out with the cast and the crew,” Currents said.
“It’s so lovely to be able to give them direction and have them take it,” Currents added. “They’re all so polite about it, and they just say yes, thank you, and then we do it.”
BCT’s Murder on the Orient Express has four scheduled performances: Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available online and in person at Salon 88, Volume Bookshop & Studio and the Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.
Community Bulletin
Family medicine physician Andrew Colebank, DO, has joined WVU Medicine St. Joseph's Hospital at the Brushy Fork Rural Health Clinic in Buckhannon, where he is now scheduling patients of all ages for appointments beginning in October. Read more →
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