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Way Off Broadway Theatre to Hold Auditions for Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

Barbara W. Simpson

Prattville Cultural Arts and Special Events

Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre is excited to announce auditions for its production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, a thrilling murder mystery written by the “Queen of Mystery,” Agatha Christie, and adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig.

Auditions will be held at the Cultural Arts building at 203 West 4th Street in Prattville on Sunday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m., and Monday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m.

Christie’s artistry and craft to develop a story will captivate audiences of the River Region. The

show will be directed by Brady Walker who also directed Crimes of the Heart at WOBT in 2018.

Recently, he directed Hello, Dolly! at Millbrook Community Players Theatre and Girls’ Weekend at the Wetumpka Depot Theatre and he is the theatre director at Stanhope-Elmore High School.

Director Walker will be looking for many skill levels of actors for this production. There will be parts for five males ranging in age from 20-59 and five females ranging in age from 25-65.

For more information about auditions and parts to be filled, please visit WOBT.prattvilleal.gov or contact the Cultural Arts office at 334-595-0850. This production is presented by special

arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

We look forward to an excellent turn out for auditions. Come join in on the fun as we bring this

thrilling murder mystery to life.

AUDITION INFORMATION

WOBT: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

BY AGATHA CHRISTIE, ADAPTED FOR STAGE BY KEN LUDWIG

PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

DIRECTED BY: BRADY WALKER

DATE: March 15 and 16, with possible call backs on March 17.

LOCATION: Way Off Broadway Theatre in the Cultural Arts Building, 203 West 4th Street in Prattville

TIME: 2:00 pm March 15 and 6:30 pm March 16. Actors do not need to attend both nights.

REGISTRATION for the auditions will begin 30 minutes prior to posted audition times.

REQUIREMENTS:

Please prepare a 1-2 minute monologue

There also may be cold readings from the script.

REHEARSALS: Murder on the Orient Express will begin practices on March 30. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be provided at auditions.

PRODUCTION DATES: Murder on the Orient Express will open July 16 and run through August 2.

CHARACTER LIST:

Hercule Poirot: Male, 40+

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.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Monsieur Bouc: Male, 20+

A Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be an excellent comedian.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Mary Debenham: Female, 30-40

An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Hector MacQueen: Male, 30-40

Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Michel the Conductor/Marcel: Male, 35-59

One actor will play two roles:

Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, about 40, a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite;

Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Princess Dragomiroff: Female, 40+

A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Greta Ohlsson: Female, 25-60

Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheep-like quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Countess Andrenyi: Female, 25-39

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.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Helen Hubbard: Female, 40-65

An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously noisy and brash; unapologetic; must be an excellent comedienne.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Colonel Arbuthnot / Ratchett: Male, 35-59

One actor will play two roles:

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; must have great comic timing.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE CULTURAL ARTS OFFICE AT 334-595-0850.