SHOW SYNOPSIS:
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
All characters are open for auditions. The characters/roles available are:
- HERCULE POIROT - Male; 50s-60s - A famous Belgian detective; a big personality; authoritative, witty, charismatic, and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well-deserved reputation.
- MONSIEUR BOUC - Male; 40s-60s - A Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; an excellent comedian.
- MARY DEBENHAM - Female; 30s-40s - An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person.
- HECTOR MACQUEEN - Male; 30s-40s - Tightly wound, edgy, and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound.
- MICHEL THE CONDUCTOR/MARCEL - Male; 40s-50s - Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, about 40, with a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite. / Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; great comic timing.
- PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF - Female; 60s-70s - A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient.
- GRETA OHLSSON - Female; 30s-50s - Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent.
- COUNTESS ANDRENYI - Female; late 20s-30s - Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower; Hungarian accent.
- HELEN HUBBARD - Female; 40s-60s - An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy, and brash; unapologetic; an excellent comedienne.
- COLONEL ARBUTHNOT/RATCHETT - Male; 40s-50s - Samuel Ratchett: middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor. Pushy, domineering. Colonel Arbuthnot: Scotsman, also middle-aged, handsome, very matter-of-fact, occasionally tender; great comic timing.
AUDITION INFORMATION:
IN-PERSON AUDITION DATES:
Monday, June 5, 2023, from 6:30 -9:30 pm
Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from 6:30 - 9:30 pm
LOCATION:
McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee Street - McKinney, TX 75069
** Please email auditionsmrt@gmail.com to schedule an audition. Walk-ins will be accepted if you don’t have an appointment but want to audition.
We are committed to diverse casting and all roles are open to characters of all backgrounds. All roles are volunteer only and are not paid.
VIDEO AUDITION:
For those unable to attend auditions but interested in participating in the show, alternative arrangements can be made at auditionsmrt@gmail.com and submit a video audition. All video auditions must be received by: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 by 9:00 pm
REHEARSAL INFORMATION:
Read Through - Thursday, June 8th from 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Rehearsals will generally be on Saturdays (1 - 4 pm), Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays (6:30 - 9:30 pm).
LOAD IN: Saturday 7/22 - Time TBD
SET BUILD: Sunday 7/23 - Time TBD
TECH WK REHEARSALS: 7/22 thru 7/27 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
DRESS REHEARSAL: 7/27 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
PICK UP REHEARSALS: 8/3 & 8/10 rom 6:30pm to 9:30 pm
*Please do not audition if you have a conflict with tech week or performance dates.
Note: All actors will be asked to help participate in the setup/strike of the set during the run of the show.
SHOW DATES:
There are a total of nine (9) shows. They are on:
Friday, July 28, 2023, at 8 pm
Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 2 pm & 8 pm
Friday, August 4, 2023, at 8 pm
Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 2 pm & 8 pm
Friday, August 11, 2023, at 8 pm
Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 2 pm & 8 pm