OGUNQUIT – Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” will be on state at the Ogunquit Playhouse Aug. 14 through Aug. 31. This will be the first non-musical play the Playhouse has presented in over 12 years. This suspenseful play takes audiences on a journey alongside a train full of suspects, each one with an alibi. There are twists and turns aplenty in this intrigue-filled story, newly adapted for the stage from Agatha Christie’s masterpiece by two-time Tony-nominated playwright Ken Ludwig.

This beloved mystery unfolds in a fresh new way that takes audiences on a thrilling ride, and is complete with a professional New York and Broadway-based cast including Tony-nominee Anita Gillette as Princess Dragomiroff and Steven Rattazzi as the mustacheod sleuth, Hercule Poirot. The production is directed by Shaun Kerrison and includes an original set designed by Tony Award-winner Beowulf Boritt and stunning costumes designed by Tony Award-winner William Ivey Long.

“I am very excited to produce my first play here at the Ogunquit Playhouse. I am a huge Agatha Christie fan and we have carefully chosen one of her most thrilling murder mysteries that has been newly adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. It will be seen in Ogunquit for one of the first times anywhere, live on our stage. We are delighted to share this new play with our audiences,” said Bradford Kenney, Ogunquit Playhouse Executive Artistic Director.

This beloved mystery also features Ruth Gotschall as Helen Hubbard, Christopher Gurr as Monsieur Bouc, Kate Loprest as Countess Andrenyi, Stephen James Anthony as Hector MacQueen, Andrew Dits as Colonel Arbuthnot and Samuel Ratchett, Patricia Noonan as Mary Debenham, Olev Aleksander as Head Waiter and Michel the Conductor, and Anna Tempte as Greta Ohlsson.

Called “enthralling!” by BroadwayWorld, tickets for the play are on sale now with preview performances starting at $36, and economy seating at $51 each. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse member, subscriber, or to purchase tickets and gift cards, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511.
Steven Rattazzi leads the cast as Agatha Christie’s beloved character, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. He has performed in “Indecent” on Broadway, and Off-Broadway in numerous productions.

Tony-nominee Anita Gillette returns to the Playhouse to portray Princess Dragomiroff. Perhaps best known for her performance as Mona the mistress in the film “Moonstruck,” or for her portrayal as Tina Fey’s mother in NBC’s “30 Rock”, Gillette has had an illustrious career on stage and screen, with more than 14 Broadway shows to her credit.

Ruth Gotschall makes her Playhouse debut as Helen Hubbard. On Broadway she has performed in” Mary Poppins,” “The Music Man,” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” among others.

Portraying Colonel Arbuthnot and Samuel Ratchett in “Murder on the Orient Express” is Andrew Dits. Patricia Noonan joins the cast as Mary Debenham. Olev Aleksander portrays Head Waiter/Michel the Conductor. Rounding out the cast as Greta Ohlsson is Anna Tempte in her Ogunquit Playhouse debut.

Shaun Kerrison returns from England to direct” Murder on the Orient Express” for the Ogunquit Playhouse. He has directed many Ogunquit productions, receiving numerous IRNE and BroadwayWorld nominations for Best Director.

Scenic design for Murder on the Orient Express is by Tony Award-winner Beowulf Boritt, who last designed the set for the New York bound “Smokey Joe’s Café” in 2017.

Costume design for “Murder on the Orient Express” is by six-time Tony Award winner, William Ivey Long. Long has designed costumes for over 70 Broadway productions and has been nominated for 15 Tony Awards.

Lighting Design is by Richard Latta. Latta is the resident lighting designer for Ogunquit Playhouse and recently was nominated for an IRNE Award for Best Lighting Design for his work on the 2018 production of  “An American in Paris.” Kevin Heard joins the creative team as Sound Designer, returning to the Playhouse for his 19th Ogunquit production.  Heard won an IRNE Award for Best Sound Design for his work on the 2017 production of “Ragtime.” Wig/Hair & Makeup Designer for Murder on the Orient Express is Emilia Martin, who designed 2017’s “An American in Paris” and “Oklahoma!” Casting Director is Anthony C. Daniel, with additional casting by Michael Cassara, CSA and Ogunquit Playhouse Production Stage Manager is Karen Parlato.

The Ogunquit Playhouse’s season continues with the hilarious “Menopause the Musical,” featuring Cindy Williams, star of TV’s “Laverne and Shirley,” for two weeks only Sept. 4 through Sept. 14; and the Tony Award-winning, smash hit musical “Kinky Boots” on stage Sept. 18 through Oct. 27. The season will stretch to the holidays with the timeless classic, “Annie” in collaboration with The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Nov. 27 through Dec. 22.

Follow the Ogunquit Playhouse on Instagram (@OgunquitPH) and Facebook (facebook.com/OgunquitPlayhouse) for behind-the-scenes info, photos, and more throughout the season. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.

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