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East Aurora, NY 14052
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
March 2026 brings murder and mystery with Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Just after midnight during the winter of 1934, the luxurious Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, one of its passengers (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 must rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer before he or she strikes again. Full of suspense and intrigue, this iconic mystery promises a captivating ride for audiences.
Auditions: May 19-20 at 6:45 PM – Callbacks May 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
(See Info Below)
Director: Benjamin Davis
Ben is very excited to make his directorial debut at Aurora Players with Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Since attending a performance of The Mousetrap with his grandparents when he was nine years old, Ben has been an unwavering Agatha Christie devotee. He is eager to make his own contribution to the myriad adaptations of Dame Agatha’s works. Ben has directed productions, both plays and musicals, for high schools in Buffalo and Rochester, as well as serving as the music director for The Bridges of Madison County, which kicks off the 2025-2026 season for Aurora Players. Ben has been a music teacher in Western New York for 25 years, the past 20 in East Aurora. After a long time away from the theater community, he recently returned to the stage in the role of Captain Arthur Keller in Aurora Players’ production of The Miracle Worker, followed by a turn as the great tenor Tito Morelli—Il Stupendo—in Lend Me a Tenor.
Cast List Announced!
Francesca – Rebecca Runge
Robert – Merrick Allen
Carolyn – Molly Enstice
Michael – Sam Olszewski
Bud – Jason Gonser
Marge – Mary Rappl Bellanti
Charlie – Steve Wendell
Marian/State Fair Singer – Isabella Ruof
Chiara/Ensemble – Katelyn Gard
Paolo/Ensemble – Matt Touris
Ensemble – Emerson Disch, Alexa Gioia, Liam Hinman, Patricia Hoefler, Tim Musial, Rosalie Stephens, Emma Unwin
DETAILS:
- Auditions will be held at the East Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. Please use the King Street entrance, which is across from a plaza. All other entrances will be locked.
- The show opens on Friday, October 10 and runs for three weekends through Sunday, October 26. Friday/Saturday shows at 7:30 PM; Sunday shows at 2:30 PM.
- All cast members must be available for first read through on July 28. Rehearsals begin August 4; please note any dates you are unavailable for rehearsal in August and September on the audition form.
PREPARATION:
Please prepare and bring 32 bars of sheet music from a Broadway musical to sing with piano accompaniment. There will be no dance audition. Sides from the script will be provided at callbacks.
SYNOPSIS:
Francesca Johnson, an Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm while her family goes to the Iowa State Fair. When ruggedly handsome, National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions, what happens in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca’s life. Set in 1965 Iowa, The Bridges of Madison County is a sweeping romance, driven by a lush and expressive score.
Please note: The Bridges of Madison County is an intimate story and we are looking for actors who are comfortable with and can authentically portray that intimacy. Those cast as Robert and Francesca will have several intimate moments. Aurora Players is committed to creating a comfortable and consensual atmosphere during rehearsals and for the performance.
CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS:
Francesca Johnson
Generous, luminous, and yearning, Francesca is married to a farmer, Bud Johnson, and living in Iowa with their two teenage children. Strong mezzo-soprano with an Italian accent.
Robert Kincaid
A ruggedly handsome, worldly, visionary photographer. Rich, bari-tenor voice.
Bud Johnson
Francesca’s loyal husband. Bud is an Iowa farmer, a good guy, diligent and dependable. Baritone.
Carolyn Johnson (about 14) & Michael Johnson (about 16)
Francesca and Bud’s children.
Marge & Charlie
The nosy but lovable neighbors.
Ensemble (any age)
Strong singers and character actors of all types and voice parts.
Questions? Write to info@auroraplayers.org or leave a message with our box office: 716-687-6727. Aurora Players welcomes all to audition, whether new or seasoned actors.
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