‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at Alchemy Theatre

OC Theatre Guild
5 days ago
5 min read

An innovative reimagining of a classic Christie mystery.

From Bottom Left; Clockwise: Sawyer Reece Maier, Paul Burt, Holly Jones, Abel Miramontes, Shawn Plunkett, Noah Chin, Tanya Raisa, Catalina Tan, Emily Hood, Olivia Oakley. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya

by Anne Reid

Just after midnight, a snowdrift brings the Orient Express to a halt, stranding its passengers in the dead of winter. By morning, one of them is dead: an American tycoon found in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. With no way off the train and a killer among them, the passengers turn to private detective Hercule Poirot to uncover the truth before anyone else is in danger.

That familiar setup drives Alchemy Theatre Company’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” but this production is not interested in presenting Agatha Christie’s classic as something preserved behind glass. Instead, it leans into immediacy, humor and the human stakes at the center of the mystery, with director Brian Pirnat shaping the story as something meant to be experienced in the moment.

For Pirnat, the goal was clear from the start. “Our vision for the show is to keep it rooted in its 1930s setting while also making it feel like a modern murder mystery,” he said. That approach carries through every element of the production, from pacing to performance to design, creating a version of the story that invites the audience to actively engage rather than sit back and observe.

The driving force and center of the play is Hercule Poirot, one of the most recognizable figures in detective fiction and a Christie staple. “Poirot is an iconic character and is on stage for virtually the entire show,” Pirnat said. But the role is not simply about presence. It requires an actor who can guide the audience through shifting perspectives, contradictions and ultimately a moral decision that defines the piece.

Abel Miramontes as Hercule Poirot. Photo courtesy of Christian Hinojosa

That responsibility falls to Abel Miramontes, who leads the production as Poirot. His performance anchors the show, carrying both the intellectual weight of the investigation and the emotional complexity that builds as the mystery unfolds. This is not a detached detective observing from a distance. It is a character who pulls the audience into the story, shaping how each moment lands and how each revelation is understood.

In many stagings, Poirot functions as the mechanism that solves the puzzle. Here, he is positioned more fully as the hero of the story, not just uncovering the truth but wrestling with what that truth means. Pirnat emphasized that balance, noting that “the audience also needs to feel for all the characters to understand the dilemma Poirot faces.”

That shift is what separates this production from more traditional interpretations. While the structure of Christie’s story remains intact, the tone moves away from formality and toward something more dynamic. Jeff Lowe, Alchemy Theatre Company’s artistic director, described the potential pitfall directly. The show, he said, “could dangerously become dry and sterile in the hands of someone only concerned with the mystery of murder.”

Avoiding that outcome shaped the choice of director. Lowe pointed to Pirnat’s instincts as both an actor and storyteller, someone who could balance tone without losing clarity. “We knew that Brian was an inspired choice because he would bring the humor without sacrificing any of the heart,” Lowe said.

At the same time, the production does not lose sight of the darker elements that give the story its weight. Pirnat points to the ambiguity at the center of the play as one of its defining features. “It’s a murder mystery with a twist because the story is not black and white,” he said. “Poirot faces a moral dilemma and has to decide what he stands for and who’s with him vs. against him.”

From Left: Tanya Raisa, Olivia Oakley, Holly Jones, Emily Hood, Catalina Tan. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya

With that in mind, Pirnat focused on assembling a group that could function as a cohesive unit. “For the casting, I was really focused on finding a Poirot who would take the audience on this journey, and an ensemble cast that blended seamlessly together,” he said. The emphasis on cohesion allows the story to unfold with clarity while maintaining tension among the characters.

Design elements reinforce that sense of immersion. Costume designer Courtney Duncan-Schwartz has grounded the production in detailed research into 1930s fashion, creating looks that reflect the period while giving each character a distinct visual identity. Scenic designer Liz Doubrovsky brings the setting to life by recreating the “opulence and luxury of the Orient Express,” allowing the audience to feel transported rather than simply informed. Lighting designer Campbell Hicks, whose previous work with Alchemy includes “Big Fish” and “Into the Woods,” adds another layer to the storytelling. Her designs are expected to shape mood and tension throughout the production, supporting the shifts between humor, suspense and reflection that define the piece.

For Alchemy Theatre Company, bringing those elements together requires a level of resourcefulness. The company does not operate out of a permanent theater space and builds its sets off-site, a process that presents both logistical and creative challenges. Lowe acknowledged that reality while emphasizing the ambition behind the work. “We are really punching above our weight class,” he said.

That ambition extends to the physical realization of the train itself. Lowe hinted at “big surprises in store for the train cars,” suggesting a design that goes beyond the expected and pushes the boundaries of what a small company can achieve. It is part of a broader commitment to making the production feel expansive, even within practical constraints.

From Left: Sawyer Reece Maier, Noah Chin, Abel Miramontes, Shawn Plunkett, Paul Burt. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya

The performance space also plays a significant role in shaping the audience’s experience. Pirnat cited the venue's intimacy as a key advantage, particularly for a story that relies on close observation and character interaction. “The setup of this theater is a more intimate environment, so the audience is drawn into the action,” he said.

There is also an element of familiarity that works in the production’s favor. “Murder on the Orient Express” is one of the most widely known mysteries in modern literature, with countless adaptations across film, television and stage. That recognition allows the production to play with expectations, using the audience’s awareness of the story to deepen engagement rather than diminish it.

Pirnat sees that balance as part of the show’s lasting appeal. The story offers both escapism and participation, drawing viewers into a world of luxury and intrigue while inviting them to piece together the truth. It is a combination that continues to resonate, particularly when approached with a sense of immediacy.

For this production, that immediacy is tied directly to performance, with Miramontes’ Poirot guiding the audience’s journey through the play, leading them through the twists of the mystery and the ethical questions that emerge along the way. It’s a role that demands precision, charisma and emotional depth, and it serves as the foundation for the rest of the production.

In the end, what sets this version of “Murder on the Orient Express” apart is not a change to the story itself but a shift in how it is told. It holds onto the structure that has made the mystery endure while rethinking how that structure can feel in a live theatrical space. It’s, as Lowe described, a version that captures “the spirit and excitement of Agatha Christie” while making it accessible and engaging for a contemporary audience.

And at its center, guiding every moment, is Poirot, not just solving the mystery but forcing the audience to consider what the answer means.