The Community Theatre of Howell’s production of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” will be performed Feb. 3-5, and Feb. 10-12 at the Howell High School Freshman Campus, 1400 W. Grand River Ave. in Howell. Tickets are $16 for seniors and students, and $18 for adults. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 2 p.m. Sunday on the weekends of Feb. 3-5 and Feb. 10-12.
For tickets, click here.
Join CTH for a thrill ride of mystery and adventure aboard the famous Orient Express as it journeys through the snow-capped mountains of Eastern Europe, when, just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks; in the morning 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 rely on detective Hercule Poirot to stop the murderer – in case they decide to strike again.
From now until opening night, we’ll be introducing you to members of the cast. In this story, we meet Erin Layton of Auburn Hills, a project coordinator in marketing who plays the Countess Andrenyi.
How did you first become involved with CTH? How many shows have you been involved with?
My mom’s friend knew I loved theater and had suggested that I audition for CTH’s radio play. I figured I would put myself out there and show off my different voices! Since then, I’ve been a part of at least seven of WCTH’s radio shows in the past five years! I’ve also performed four different characters in CTH’s play, “Love Machine” in 2021 – which certainly was a hoot! This will be my second memorized play that I’ve performed with CTH.
What do you like most about being involved with CTH?
I love being able to create and act out scenes with people I would have never otherwise known! The talent and ideas everyone has is spectacular and there’s never a dull day when working with them. Even off-stage and goofing around really brings a certain something to this particular niche of a cast.
What do you like about the show “Murder on the Orient Express?”
THE SHEER TALENT! Some of my fellow cast members I’ve never met or seen on stage before this play and they have this incredible energy and flair they bring not only backstage, but on stage and in character. Other cast members I’ve acted with (and even been directed by) in CTH’s Radio Plays, but I’ve never acted along side them in “this” particular type of show. Never doubted anyone’s talent, but to see it in action, let alone WORK along side it? I’m proud to be a part of this cast and having all of us grow together in a sensational way.
Tell us about your role in the show and why you like it?
The Countess Andrenyi is one hell of a Hungarian woman! She grew up a commoner who became a doctor, and then married a Count and became Royalty. Though sadly the Count isn’t coming with her on this trip, it works out nicely since she’s on her way to visit her mother, whom he doesn’t like anyway! The Countess will stand her ground when she needs to and flirt when she has to.
I’m used to playing the funny, over-the-top characters and bring my energy into them, and this character is quite the 180! I honestly had difficulty at first because I love being that goofy person, but she is a very serious yet caring character, and with the Hungarian accent to boot? Phew, was that a challenge – but I think I got it! I’m excited to be here, what can I say? Ez as igazág.
What can the audience expect when they come to see the show?
The audience can expect to be on the edge of their seats with their own minds working like clockwork – don’t close your eyes or ears people, you might just miss something.
