Ouachita Stories

The Department of Theatre Arts in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Performing Arts will present Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” from Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 6-9 in Verser Theatre. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Based on Agatha Christie’s 1934 murder mystery, “Murder on the Orient Express” was adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig in 2015. It follows Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he seeks to solve the most difficult case of his famed career. On board a train to London, Poirot discovers the dead body of a wealthy American. While investigating, he uncovers secrets and motives, finding himself nearly stumped by a tangled web of clues and confessions.

“Agatha Christie’s mysteries are what I describe as ‘wicked fun’ — each of her stories is a puzzle box,” said John Forkner, assistant professor of theatre arts. “The seriousness of murder is juxtaposed with the excitement of piecing together the clues.”

Kade Loomis, a sophomore musical theatre major from Nagoya, Japan, plays the role of Hercule Poirot himself. “At the beginning of the play, the audience is invited in, not just to watch, but to solve the mystery with me,” said Loomis. “As the show goes on, the situation seems to unravel more and more.” 

“The ending of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is one of the most famous plot twists in literary history,” Forkner said. “We’re looking forward to lively conversation at the intermission!” 

Tickets are $8-10 and can be purchased at obu.edu/boxoffice or on weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at the Ouachita Box Office in JPAC. Ouachita students may receive one free ticket with their university ID. For more information, contact the box office at 870-245-5555.  

Cast:  

• Kade Loomis, a sophomore musical theatre major from Nagoya, Japan, as Hercule Poirot
• Gavin Anders, a sophomore musical theatre major from Hot Springs, Arkansas, as Monsieur Bouc
• Graceanne Ashlock, a junior musical theatre major from Lamar, Arkansas, as Mary Debenham
• Ryder Ashlock, a junior theatre arts and criminal justice double major from Royse City, Texas, as Hector MacQueen
• Steven Hibbard, a sophomore computer science major from Crossett, Arkansas, as Michel and Headwaiter
• Chloe Cofer, a junior musical theatre major from Branson, Missouri, as Princess Dragomiroff
• Kenzie Tatum, a senior musical theatre major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as Greta Ohlsson
• Kate Kelley, a junior music education major from Siloam Springs, Arkansas, as Countess Andrenyi
• Erika Johnson, a junior speech communication and theatre arts education major from Cash, Arkansas, as Mrs. Helen Hubbard
• Sam Shahan, a sophomore musical theatre major from Noel, Missouri as Colonel Arbuthnot
• Brooks Harrison, a junior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Arkansas, as Samuel Ratchett
• Hadley Gilmore, a sophomore musical theatre major from Van Buren, Arkansas, as Nanny

Lead photo by Lily Roddy

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• Academics
• School of Performing Arts
• Theatre Arts