Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express took the stage for a special Press & Student Night at the Plaza on Thursday, October 16th, 2025. Local critic Ben Sharp penned a review just in time for Opening Night:

A luxury train passing through snow-covered mountains. A mysterious group of people with hidden motives. And a brutal murder that defies explanation. The Plaza Theatre’s Murder on the Orient Express has all the components needed for one exciting, memorable show.

Set to run from Oct. 17 through Oct. 25 with performances at 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the Plaza’s Murder on the Orient Express is a stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel. Presented by Coastal Warehouse Ltd., the story follows a gruesome murder onboard a 1930s-era passenger train, the Orient Express, and the ensuing investigation that follows. The plot features Christie’s famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.

Passengers aboard the Orient Express try to determine how one of their fellow travelers was murdered. From left are Ron Saville (Hercule Poirot), Joanna Hickey (Princess Dragomiroff), Quinn Wrench (Greta Ohlsson), Mary Beth Prater (Countess Andrenyi), Seth Thayne (Colonel Arbuthnot), Eden Rule (Mary Debenham) and Becky Thayne (Helen Hubbard). “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre October 17th-26th, 2025. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

From an intricate primary set piece to clever use of lighting to an all-star cast, veteran director Darin Mielke pulls out all the stops to bring Christie’s famous detective story to the stage.

“The story requires precision, not only in the intricate unraveling of the mystery but also in the balance of tension, humor and humanity,” Mielke said. “Our cast and crew have poured countless hours into bringing these memorable characters to life, and I am grateful for their dedication and creativity.”

Mielke is assisted with directorial duties by Danté Hancock, a young dramatist who has graced the Plaza stage for numerous productions. Together they pull off a solid, balanced show that does justice to Christie’s complex plot.

“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre October 17th-26th, 2025. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Things begin simply, with a basic stage set consisting of café tables and a projected backdrop of a European train station. Once the play moves to the train’s interior, though, things get far more complicated and impressive. The primary set is a brilliantly designed two-tiered structure that showcases dining areas on ground level and a suite of passenger berths upstairs. This design enables the audience to see various locations simultaneously, including the interiors of several rooms. It’s a smart move that creates a more dynamic presentation while allowing the actors to coordinate their performances naturally.

Before getting to the actors and their individual performances, it’s necessary to take a moment to draw attention to the costumes. Simply put, they were fantastic. From sharp-looking business suits to fur coats to cocktail dresses to perfectly-placed fedoras, the costumes were the highlight of the show. Danté Hancock and Al Folmar must be congratulated for such incredible attention to detail.

Reagan Wrench (Monsieur Bouc), foreground, takes a break while the train passengers retire to their rooms. In background, from left, are Ron Saville (Hercule Poirot), Seth Thayne (Samuel Rachett) and Becky Thayne (Helen Hubbard). “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre October 17th-26th, 2025. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

As for the actors, the primary protagonist — Hercule Poirot — is played by Ron Saville. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Plaza’s 2003 production of A Christmas Carol, Saville handles a lion’s share of the production. He is the centerpiece of practically every scene, and it’s difficult to imagine how many hours were spent memorizing so many lines. Though his voice projection at times was not the most forceful — and while near the play’s climax he seems to search for lines — he does an admirable job of portraying the brilliant but eccentric Belgian detective.

Serving as Poirot’s sidekick is Monsieur Bouc, played by legendary Plaza actor Reagan Wrench. Wrench is always a delight to watch, and he doesn’t disappoint here. His energy and humor are always appreciated, and his performance as the friendly but inept train representative is the ideal counterpart to Poirot’s grim competence.

Eden Rule plays the role of Mary Debenham, and she is absolutely spectacular. Outfitted in a dazzling turquois dress and fur coat, her line delivery and enunciation are the best of the show, not to mention her authentic foreign accent. Her rapport with Seth Thayne, who plays her love interest Colonel Arbuthnot, is spot-on, and the scene where she suffers a gunshot wound is one of the best of the production.

Speaking of Thayne, he just about steals the show. Tackling the dual role of Colonel Arbuthnot and scoundrel Samuel Rachett, Thayne is a force to be reckoned with every time he sets foot on stage. His voice projection is powerful and his passion is believable, and every line he delivers is clear and impossible to misinterpret. I would suspect he has a long, rewarding acting career ahead of him.

Reagan Wrench (Monsieur Bouc) opens the suitcase of Joanna Hickey (Princess Dragomiroff) to find a piece of evidence in the murder of a passenger. Background, from left, are Becky Thayne (Helen Hubbard), Hercule Poirot (Ron Saville), Mary Beth Prater (Countess Andranyi), Quinn Wrench (Greta Ohlsson) and Mark Szafarz (Michel the Conductor).  “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre October 17th-26th, 2025. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Nate Ruley plays Hector Macqueen, Rachett’s subservient assistant, and he is the ideal counterbalance to Thayne’s powerhouse portrayal. His more subtle yet solid performance perfectly encapsulates the role of a subordinate who has been berated and abused, and I think he was an invaluable part of the show.

Plaza notable Mark Szafarz plays Michel the Conductor and really shines. Szafarz has starred in numerous Plaza shows, covering a wide-range of roles, but I think his work in Murder on the Orient Express is some of his best.

Joanna Hickey, well-acquainted with the Plaza stage, and Quinn Wrench, a Plaza veteran with a shocking 70 production credits to her name, are stellar as Princess Dragomiroff and servant Greta Ohlsson, respectively. The banter between them is humorous and convincing, and serves as something of a comic relief to the more somber aspects of the plot. They are a splendid pair, and I hope future productions pit them together.

Becky Thayne plays Helen Hubbard and it’s hard to express on paper how enjoyable her performance is. She sings, dances, has emotional outbursts, acts drunk, and shares humorous asides — and does it all extremely well. She is so dynamic, in fact, that she almost overpowers some of her co-actors. If MVP awards were given out for this production, it’s a safe bet that Becky Thayne would walk away with one.

“Nate Ruley (as Hector Macqueen) looks on from the left as Becky Thayne (as Helen Hubbard) and Mary Beth Prater (Countess Andrenyi) talk.  Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre October 17th-26th, 2025. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Plaza newcomers Mary Beth Prater (as Countess Andrenyi) and Tripp Mitchell (as the Man) round out the cast and do their part to bring this complex mystery to life. Prater is particularly memorable with her magnetic stage presence and authentic Transylvanian accent. I have no doubt that she will grace the Plaza stage for many more productions in the future.

One final note. As the play depicts adult themes such as murder, suicide and gun violence, viewer discretion is advised.

“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre October 17th-26th, 2025. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Production credits include Kay Gilley as stage manager; Shelby Adamson, Tripp Mitchell and Adrayelle Watson as technical crew; Burke Wilkins and Sarah Wilkins on set design and set construction; Darin Mielke on set design; Dante Hancock on set design, set construction, sound design, props and costumes; Al Folmar on costumes; Kenneth Socha on lighting design and sound design; Livvy Meza as lighting board operator; Sammuel Robinson as sound board operator and projection operator; Tripp Mitchell and Shelby Adamson as spot light operator; Jami Hughes on box office/house management; Quinn Wrench on concessions management; Russell Kacer on communications and Sharon Joines and Molly Kresta on photography.

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ABOUT BEN SHARP: Benjamin Sharp is the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Advancement for Wharton County Junior College. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and lives in Wharton with his wife, Kristen, and their three kids, Madalyn, Andrew and Matthew.