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 today’s story, we meet Gil Bazil of Hartland Township, a retired Medical Technologist Specialist in Toxicology. He am a Grand Master in both Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate) and Kata Iaijutsu Ryu (the art of the Samurai Sword) which he teaches four days per week in Clarkston, Ortonville and Lansing. He’s been married to “my lovely and very patient wife Mary Ellen for over 40 years.”
How did you first become involved with CTH? How many shows have you been involved with?
I first became involved with CTH in their 1994 production of Fiddler on the Roof. At that time I had been heavily involved with Eastern European dance and folklore for about 25 years, and that musical was very close to my heart.
The director was fantastic, the cast, crew and staff were all top-notch, so I was hooked and couldn’t wait to come back for the next production. Since then I have been involved in 60 CTH productions as a performer, choreographer, assistant director, stage manager, staff member, or stage crew and a few additional shows with other groups.
What do you like most about being involved with CTH?
Definitely the people. CTH is a supportive community of artists, all talented in different fields, who come together for the common objective of crafting the best production possible. It is always fascinating and rewarding to see the contributions of these many individuals so well versed in dramaturgy, costuming, vocal music, choreography, the many technical areas, and many other areas in addition to the performers who have their own individual strengths all working so diligently to bring to life the vision of one of the outstanding directors we have here.
What do you like about the show “Murder on the Orient Express?”
It’s a very entertaining live presentation of the classic Agatha Christie tale with all of the fascinating characters and tantalizing plot twists that can keep the audience guessing right up until the final reveal. Even those familiar with the novel or movies can still enjoy the vivid characterizations by the talented cast and innovative staging.
Tell us about your role in the show and why you like it?
It is always interesting, and sometimes challenging, to develop a character from a different time period and culture. My character is a senior conductor with many years of experience on the Orient Express and as such has the opportunity to interact with all of the other characters in the play.
Although he hails from Paris, he speaks many languages and is skilled at not only meeting the sometimes complex needs of the varied clientele but also assuring everything runs smoothly through many challenges that present themselves on the lengthy rail journey from Istanbul to Calais.
What can the audience expect with this production?
As the famous Orient Express journeys through the snow-capped mountains of Eastern Europe, a snowdrift stops the train 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 must rely on detective Hercule Poirot to stop the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.
The audience has the opportunity to evaluate the clues as they appear and judge the truthfulness of the suspects as they are questioned, all in an effort to solve the mystery as M. Poirot advances toward his own masterful solution. An engaging story, masterful direction, and an experienced and dedicated cast and crew will certainly make for a delightful evening of entertainment. You won’t be disappointed!
