audition! |
Thanks for reading this and auditioning for the show. It is a wonderful play to perform, and audiences love it. We will bring some new twists to it and let the audience hold on as we romp through the Alps. We open on April 11th with Friends and Family and will have three weekends in performance, with a possible 4th weekend of performance on May 3-4. The play is character driven: each actor will develop a distinct onstage persona, creating a wonderful ensemble. Every actor here is unique, as are these characters, and you can go wherever the character leads you. And please remember, I am interested in your acting, voice projection and timing. Some folks may be worried or scared by the descriptions below. Just remember:
The Story The exotic Orient Express is about to go off the rails. With a murder, a train full of remarkable suspects and an alibi for each one, it’s the perfect mystery for detective Hercule Poirot. When the Agatha Christie estate approached Ken Ludwig to adapt Dame Agatha’s most enduring novel and put it on stage, he agreed with alacrity – just as quickly as it takes Hercule Poirot to solve the most thrilling case of his entire career. So, wax your mustache and hold onto your passport for what has now become the most highly produced comedy-mystery in the world. Ken Ludwig's clever adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue and suspense of Dame Agatha's celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace. Detective Hercule Poirot Gender – Male Age Range – 40-65 Accent - Belgian Analysis: Iconic character. Agatha Christie’s famous detective. Only Sherlock Holmes is more famous. He is in almost every scene and propels the story. Poirot is fastidious, thorough, a touch ridiculous, and incredibly observant and intelligent. He is both arrogant and humble to fault. He is an observer of people and analyzes why they behave as they do. He firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else. Monsieur Bouc Gender – Male Age Range – 40-64 Accent - Belgian Analysis: The manager of Wagon Lit, and the Orient Express. He is middle-aged man with a youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest, and forthright, he puts his friends and customers above profit, although he is concerned about his company’s image. He is an ex-Belgian police officer who worked with Poirot and think himself on a par with Poirot to an extent but is not a match for Poirot in intelligence. Mary DebenhamGender – Female Age Range – mid 20s-30s Accent - English (standard) Analysis: A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as many secrets Daisy Armstrong's governess. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arbuthnot. May need to kiss onstage. Colonel Arbuthnot (doubles as Samuel Ratchett) Gender – Male Age Range – 30s Accent - Scottish accent Analysis: A military man of the old-fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong, charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper. May need to kiss onstage. Samuel Rachett (doubles as Colonel Arbuthnot) Gender – Male Age Range – 35-50 Accent – American (mobster – possibly Brooklyn or Chicago-style) Analysis: A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair trigger temper. Must have a forceful personality and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.Hector McQueen Gender – Male Age Range – 23-35 Accent – American Analysis Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. Seems rather new to his profession. Talks a bit too much. Michel (doubles as Head Waiter) Gender – Male Age Range – 40 Accent – French (Michel) & Turkish (Head Waiter) Analysis: Competent and organized, Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in a crisis and is very good at his job.Princess Dragomiroff Gender – Female Age Range – 60s-70s Accent - Russian Analysis: Displaced Russian nobility. The Princess is a battleship: determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal, and holds very decided opinions. Greta Ohlsson Gender – Female Age Range – 30s Accent – Swedish Analysis: A Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. She would like to help small children in Africa. Deeply devout. This character may be funny but should not be played as a caricature for laughs. Countess Andrenyi Gender – Female Age Range – 25-35 Accent - Hungarian Analysis: In addition to being married to a count (and thus, nobility), she also is a doctor. Beautiful, educated, charming, and intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot. Must also be able to do an American accent. Helen Hubbard Gender – Female Age Range – 45-60 Accent – American* Analysis: Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, obnoxious American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to sing and do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character with a *very standard or even cultured American accent. |
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