It's Murder on the Train!

It's murder on the train!

One of Agatha Christie's most popular mysteries comes to the WACT stage starting Thursday, October 3rd.

Yes, Waycross, train central for most of the Southeast, will be performing Murder On the Orient Express...

With a train onstage!

Featuring Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective, Hercules Poirot played with aplomb, style, and skill by Eli Varnadore.

I will be playing Monsieur Bouc, a friend and fellow Belgian of Poirot, who runs the world-famous train company, Wagon-Lit.  At times, I get to put on my ham socks and let-er-rip, Tom Strait style.

First-timers! 

Trent Dixon will make his WACT debut as Hector MacQueen, the personal assistant for the thuggish American, Samuel Ratchett.  Trent is a great guy, a friend of Benjamin who showed his writing and acting skills at Pierce County High School, writing a skit that Benjamin performed in that was a fantastic tour de force.

Duke Nanan, playing the conductor Michel, is new to WACT, but not to theater.  He put in a five-star last year as the Cheif in Purlie Production's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.  It is a pleasure to work with him again.

Tracy Saussy, a first-timer to ANY stage, makes her sparkling debut as Princess Dragomiroff.

The play is also blessed with the incredible talents of Bethany Mercer and Dylan Lawson, playing the young duo of Colonel Arbuthnot and Governess Mary Debenham, with a romantic flair.

Brittany Boatright, part of my daughter brigade (one of the many young actresses in the theatre community who has been my daughter in one or more plays - in Brittany's case - Dearly Beloved), plays the Countess, with a great accent and cool aplomb.  I like her part.  She is strong and takes no guff from anybody.

Part of my girlfriend" brigade is Crystal (Thrift) Soto, plays Mrs. Hubbard.  She played my romantic interest in the female version of The Odd Couple, and now she is back flirting with me again in this show.  Okay, her colorful character is flirting with more than just me, but you get the drift.  She is very entertaining and a real highlight of the show.

Emma Varnes is a Flying Dragon graduate who really steps into her own as Greta Olsson in this play.  The children's theater. Flying Dragon, was a real gift to this community. and I have seen so many of her alumni achieve so much!

Meet the talented cast of "Murder on the Orient Express": L-R (front) Trent Dixon, Bethany Mercer, Tom Strait, Eli Varnadore, Lake Larisey, Crystal Thrift, Emma Varnes, (back) Megan Hendley, Duke Nanan, Dylan Lawson, Levi Herrin, Brittany Boatright, Tracy Saussy, Danny Godwin

Over the next week, I will be highlighting more cast members.  It is a very talented cast and crew, and they are all working hard to bring you a high-quality and entertaining show.

All Aboard!