Review: 'Murder on the Orient Express' at Hartford Stage Company

Pictured: David Pittu, Leigh Ann Larkin, and Evan Zes Production photos from Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Emily Mann. All photos: T. Charles Erickson.

Hartford, CT - Hartford Stage is presenting the McCarter Theatre Center Production of Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ that was adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig (‘Lend Me a Tenor.’) The mystery that is widely regarded as one of Ms. Christie’s greatest literary achievements was directed by McCarter Theatre Center Artistic Director Emily Mann, in her 28th season as the Resident Playwright at the theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. Ms. Mann adapted the play ‘Having Our Say’ that was produced at Hartford Stage two years ago. This mostly Equity co-production is a most high-quality production that will please both mystery lovers and regular theatre patrons alike.

I would classify myself as the latter, for I sincerely had no knowledge of this work of Ms. Christie, other than that it was a mystery that happens on a train. When I read online that the venerable Warner Theatre director Sharon A. Wilcox had attended the final dress, I was envious. She called the production amazing, urged everyone to go see it, and added, “If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, murder mysteries, or just theater in general - get over to the Hartford Stage this month to check this show out.” I am glad that I heeded her advice and took a glamorous ride on the Orient Express all while trying to figure out whodunit. No spoilers here in case there is anyone else left who doesn’t know the ending; needless to say, my guess was completely wrong.

The sets at Hartford Stage are always impressive, and this rendering of the famous train is no exception. The elegant train cars move both on and off stage and are so big that they almost
deserve a bio in the program. The costumes designed by the prolific William Ivey Long are nothing short of spectacular and Paul Huntley (‘A Bronx Tale’) designed the beautiful period-specific wigs. Lighting by Ken Billington helped to tell the story and sound design by Darron L. West brought the train into the theatre. Dialect Coach Thom Jones made sure that the accents were authentic without being impossible to understand.

Ian Bedford, who did his undergrad at Yale University, made his Hartford Stage debut with an imposing stage presence as both Colonel Arbuthnot and Mr. Ratchett. Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, who appeared in this production at McCarter, did very well as Michel/Head Waiter. Veanne Cox (‘An American in Paris’ on Broadway) played the elderly Russian Princess Dragomiroff in her Hartford Stage debut; she had some one liners that reminded me of the dowager countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey.

Julie Halston (who was in the revivals of ‘On the Town’ and ‘You Can’t Take it With You’ on Broadway) was the older American lady currently named Helen Hubbard. Susannah Hoffman made her Hartford Stage debut as the young Mary Debenham. Leigh Ann Larkin made her Hartford Stage debut as the beautiful Countess Andrenyi in the most fabulous white costumes. Charles Paul Mihaliak, an Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellow, made his debut here as an army officer/porter.

David Pittu, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play for ‘Is He Dead?,’ was most memorable in the role of the Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot. Juha Sorola, another alum of the MacCarter production, played the role of Hector MacQueen (the secretary of Mr. Ratchett) in his Hartford Stage debut. Samantha Steinmetz made her debut on this stage as Greta Ohlsson and Evan Zes made his debut here in the role of Monsieur Bouc. Jordyn Elizabeth Schmidt, a first grade student in Glastonbury who has appeared in ‘A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas,’ appeared briefly as Daisy Armstrong; Meghan Pratt, who has also appeared in ‘A Christmas Carol,’ is her understudy.

Hartford Stage has extended Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ through Sunday, March 25 due to high demand for tickets. The four added performances are March 23 at 8pm, March 24 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and March 25 at 2:00pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417