There’s nothing like a good whodunit and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is leaving audiences following clues in Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express”.
For the first time in 25 years, the theater is bringing a drama to its main stage rather than a musical. The bold decision to kick off the 2023-24 season with a straight play is proving to be a good move as the theater was packed on a Wednesday night.
While such shows typically play out on the theater’s Off-Broadway stage, it was nice to see this type of show on a bigger stage.
If you’re looking for music and dancing you won’t find it in this famous murder mystery that has a stunning cast of actors and many of them making their debut in the Fort Myers theater.
Actor Frank Hughes leads the play as the quirky Detective Hercule Poirot. While Hughes is typically a supporting character actor, he clearly proves in this performance he is cut out for the job and does a masterful job of keeping the audience in suspense.
The show is filled with strong supporting actors including Matthew Krob as Monsieur Bouc, Katherine Lindsley as Mary Debenham and Alex Gossard as Hector McQueen to name just a few.
What I liked about this performance is that Broadway Palm’s stage version is adapted by popular playwright Ken Ludwig, known for comedies like “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Crazy For You”. Ludwig’s comedy can be seen throughout the show which allows the audience to take a break from the suspense and belt out a few laughs.
While I have no intention of spoiling the plot for you, the show takes the audience aboard the luxurious Orient Express bound for murder after an American tycoon is found stabbed to death with his door locked from the inside.
Audiences quickly realize they are isolated with a killer among them, the passengers rely on Detective Poirot to find the murderer before he or she strikes again while the train is stalled as the result of a snowstorm.
Ludwig’s adaptation also streamlines the plot which was inspired by the 1932 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby.
The show has some great effects and against Broadway Palm is able to use its recently purchased LED screen for some great effects that keep the train moving.
While the show is a timeless classic, there is no doubt that the cast is up to the task of delivering strong characters complete with all of the accents.
This performance will not disappoint those of you who enjoy a good old-fashioned mystery.
Tickets can be reserved by calling 239-278- 4422, visiting Broadway Palm’s website here, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.
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