Review: Alchemy Theatre Company’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

From left: Sawyer Reece Maier, Abel Miramontes and Paul Burt in Alchemy Theatre Company's "Murder on the Orient Express" (Photo by Katelyn Abaya)

All aboard!

Present your tickets for a first-class ride through “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by Ken Ludwig from Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel of the same name and fantastically presented by Alchemy Theatre Company at the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center. 

World-famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (superbly played by Abel Miramontes) is supposed be on vacation after a trying case but has been suddenly called back to service in England and must somehow make last-minute arrangements to board the luxurious Orient Express leaving out of Istanbul, Turkey. 

Luckily, Poirot is met at the station by his bombastic friend and owner of the train, Monsieur Bouc (Paul Burt), who gets him onboard. While boarding, Poirot is introduced to a cast of characters also traveling, each with a fantastical story and personality. 

Tanya Raisa in Alchemy Theatre Company's "Murder on the Orient Express" (Photo by Katelyn Abaya)

We meet Princess Dragomiroff (Holly Jones), a wealthy heiress who escaped the Bolshevik Revolution, and her helper, the meek Greta Ohlsson (Olivia Oakley); Helen Hubbard (Tanya Raisa), a loud and gregarious American Midwesterner; Samuel Rachett (Shawn Plunkett), a rich and obnoxious businessman; and last but not least, the lovely Countess Andrenyi (Emily Hood), whose charm and beauty are not lost on Poirot.   

Costumes by Courtney Duncan-Schwartz define each character well, from Poirot‘s fastidious three-piece suit to Princess Dragomiroff’s flowing gown adorned with sparking jewels to train conductor Michel (Noah Chin) in a classic uniform. 

From left: Catalina Tan and Shawn Plunkett in Alchemy Theatre Company's "Murder on the Orient Express" (Photo by Katelyn Abaya)

When the Orient Express becomes snowbound, a murder is discovered with a scream and rush of activity. The murderer must be aboard and yet no one confesses, so all eyes turn to Monsieur Poirot to solve the mystery.

Directed by Brian Pirnat, the play unfolds like spectacular scenery from a rolling train — upbeat, dramatic, exciting and with surprises around each bend. The train set (designed by Liz Doubrovsky) is simple yet elegant, made in pieces that rotate to become the bar car and then sleeping quarters. Lighting (by Campbell Hicks) spotlights pivotal moments as Poirot contemplates and detangles the characters’ stories to determine whodunnit.

From left: Olivia Oakley, Holly Jones, Emily Hood, Sawyer Reece Maier, Tanya Raisa, Noah Chin, Abel Miramontes, Catalina Tan, Shawn Plunkett, and Paul Burt in Alchemy Theatre Company's "Murder on the Orient Express" (Photo by Katelyn Abaya)

Well acted and engaging, the Alchemy Theatre Company has put together a beautiful rendition of “Murder on the Orient Express” that carries the audience along on Poirot’s methodical dissection of the characters to arrive at an unexpected solution.  

Alchemy Theatre Company’s “Murder on the Orient Express” continues through May 17 at the Virginia De Land Theatre in the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center, 4802 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, with shows Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.  For tickets and information, call visit AlchemyTheatre.com or YorbaLindaCA.gov. Run time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, including intermission.