The Twin Lakes Playhouse in Mountain Home opens its production of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” tonight at 7 p.m., featuring Mike Horberg in the role of iconic detective Hercule Poirot. Horberg, who has directed several murder mysteries for the Playhouse, takes on a new challenge as the one tasked with solving the crime in this adaptation of Christie’s celebrated novel.
The production marks a departure for Horberg, who has directed shows such as “And Then There Were None” in 2019, “The Mousetrap” in 2022, and “Bloody Murder” earlier this year. This time, he transitions from orchestrating the action to analyzing it as Poirot, a character described by Director Joanne Helms as one of the most difficult to cast due to his eccentric complexities. Helms credited Horberg’s willingness to embrace the role as a key factor in bringing the show to life. Ronna Fulton serves as assistant director for the production.
Set aboard the luxurious Orient Express, the story introduces eight suspects, each with a motive to deceive. The Ken Ludwig adaptation of Christie’s 1934 novel has drawn acclaim for preserving the mystery’s intricate plot twists. Notable cast members include Karen Maupin as the brash American Helen Hubbard, Olivia Wolfe returning as the Countess, and Sue Howe as the regal Princess Dragomiroff.
The novel’s famous resolution remains a hallmark of Christie’s legacy, keeping audiences guessing nearly 90 years after its debut. The enduring popularity of the story ensures that those unfamiliar with its secrets will have just one chance to puzzle out the mystery before Poirot delivers his brilliant conclusion.
“Murder on the Orient Express” continues a season at the Playhouse with a strong thematic focus on mystery and intrigue. Season 55 opened with “The Villain of Pine Hollow,” a melodrama written and directed by Horberg, and will close in November with “A Sherlock Carol,” a holiday mystery blending Arthur Conan Doyle’s and Charles Dickens’s iconic creations. Three of this year’s five productions center on suspicious deaths, offset by two lighter comedies.
Performances run Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through August 30, giving audiences three weekends to catch the show. Tickets can be purchased at tlpmh.org or by contacting the Playhouse box office at 870-424-0444.
The Twin Lakes Playhouse has been a fixture in Mountain Home’s arts scene since its founding in 1971 by George Smith, who began rehearsals in participants’ garages. The all-volunteer organization depends on community support not only for acting but also for roles behind the scenes, including set construction, lighting, and costume design.
The production is sponsored by Baxter Health, Dauna Powell with Peglar Real Estate Group, Albright Farms, Tasty Greens, and Josselyn Obregon and is presented with special arrangement through Concord Theatricals.
Audiences attending the show are advised to approach the mystery with caution—whatever they think they know by intermission, Poirot is likely to prove them politely incorrect.