[rating=5] There are many Chicago theater audience members who recall the days of Drury Lane Evergreen park where musicals were a part of the mix and dramas/comedies were the main course. Over the years, Drury Lane Oakbrook has given us great musical theater and one non-musical per season. This season they have changed the formula. After an amazing production of “Steel Magnolias” they have bounced back with another non-musical- “Murder on the Orient Express, one of the famous Agatha Christie mysteries as adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig ( one of America’s top comedy writer).
The story is quite simple. The Orient Express is a streamlined luxury train that is about to go through Europe. The passengers on this particular train are unique and special. The owner of the train company is on board and invites the famous detective Hercule Poirot ( Larry Yando is amazing in bringing this role to life- not anything like the typical player, unique in every way) to board despite being sold out. We meet the other passengers one by one learning a little about them as they board and settle in.
Overnight one of the passengers is stabbed to death ( 8 stab wounds) and the great Poirot takes the helm to not only find out who done it?, But make sure that the rest of the passengers are safe for the remainder of the trip. Directed by Jessica Fisch on a set ( that was applauded several times) by Andrew Boyce ( do I see Jeff Awards on the way), this is a cast of players who it appears were born to play the roles Ludwig has created. Karmann Bajuyo, Sean Blake ( as the owner of the train), Sam Boeck , Sarah Lo, Keith Kupferer ( as the bad guy), Diana Coates, Ryan Imhoff, Leah Morrow, and the incredible Janet Ulrich Brooks and Peggy Roeder add to the incredible Yando in making this 2 hours and 30 minutes ( one 15 minute intermission) go by swiftly.
Hercule Poirot was an amazing character that after some time, Christie killed off. I believe, as do others, she was of the opinion that he was more respected and lover than her, so why continue to write about him- kill him off. But for the
detective lovers, he is a character to be loved and respected and this rendition proves that even the comedy writer Ken Ludwig must have felt the same. He always gets his man, or woman or whoever the guilty party is. This production sparkles from start to finish and when Yando starts to solve all of the questions and riddles of the train ride, you will find yourself trying to outguess him. Don’t bother! You won’t be right!
As I said every detail is sheer perfection. The lighting ( Paul Toben), sound Mikhail Fiskel and Jeffrey Levin ( they also composed the music), costumes (Jessica pabst) and the props (cassy Schillo) are all perfect. The projections (Anthony Churchill) and wigs (Emily Young) complete the technical aspects of this solid production. I have always said that watching any production with Larry Yando onstage is a learning experience for young actors. he does it all…to perfection. This cast has other pros that also set the example and that makes this a MUST SEE for any aspiring theater person.
“Murder on the Orient Express” will continue thru October 23rd with performances as follows:
Show Type: Drama
Box Office: 630-530-0111
Drury Lane Oakbrook is located just North of the Oakbrook Center at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook with plenty of free parking.
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Murder on the Orient Express”.
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