The Twin Lakes Playhouse will bring Agatha Christie’s famed detective Hercule Poirot to life as it opens a new production of *Murder on the Orient Express* this Friday at 7 p.m. Performances will run Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Directed by Joanne Helms, the production is based on Ken Ludwig's 2017 stage adaptation of Christie’s 1934 novel, widely regarded as one of the greatest mystery stories of all time. Ludwig’s adaptation streamlines the original book by reducing the number of suspects, while blending humor with suspense. The plot centers on Poirot’s investigation into the death of an American traveler, Ratchett, who is found stabbed in a locked train compartment after the luxury train is halted overnight by a snowdrift. With no one able to board or leave, Poirot must untangle the passengers’ connections and uncover the truth—despite each one hiding secrets.
Helms emphasized that choosing the right performer for Poirot was crucial. Local actor Mike Horberg, known for his work as the writer and director of *The Villain of Pine Hollow*, an original melodrama that opened the Playhouse’s 55th season in January, steps into the role of Christie’s brilliant, eccentric detective. Helms noted that Poirot’s unique mix of personality traits made the casting process particularly challenging.
The cast also features Karen Maupin as the lively American Helen Hubbard, Olivia Wolfe as the elegant Countess, and Sue Howe as the imperious Princess Dragomiroff. Ronna Fulton serves as the assistant director for the project.
To transform the Mountain Home stage into the luxurious train traversing Europe, the production employs six periaktoi—three-sided rotating panels painted with different sets. The panels pivot to recreate various train locations, from the dining car to the sleeping quarters where the murder mystery unfolds. Porters rotate the panels in full view of the audience, while sound designer Scott Ramos enhances the atmosphere with recorded effects, voiceovers, and narrated flashbacks.
Christie’s novel, inspired by the infamous Lindbergh kidnapping, captivated readers with its locked-room mystery and dramatic resolution. Published in 1934, it was later adapted into films and television, but Ludwig’s stage version marked the first major play featuring Poirot in over 75 years.
Twin Lakes Playhouse, an all-volunteer organization founded in 1971, has been a staple of Mountain Home’s arts scene for over five decades. It produces five plays each year, with the current production serving as part of its 55th season. Sponsors for *Murder on the Orient Express* include Baxter Health, Dauna Powell with Peglar Real Estate Group, Albright Farms, Tasty Greens, and Josselyn Obregon. The play is presented under special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
Tickets are available at tlpmh.org or through the box office by calling 870-424-0444. Audiences are encouraged to stay until the end to discover the story’s famous solution.