NELSONVILLE, Ohio — A classic tale of mystery and murder is coming to Athens County.
Local theater troupe Athenian Berean Community Players, or ABC Players, will put on a stage production based on Agatha Christie’s novel “Murder on the Orient Express” Sept. 19–21, in Nelsonville.
Christie’s novel takes place in winter 1934 aboard the Orient Express. After an avalanche puts the train to halt, a mystery unfolds. With a murderer inside one of the train’s cars, detective Hercule Poirot is on the case, and only has so much time to solve the case until the locomotive reaches its final stop.
Held at Stuart’s Opera House at 52 Public Square, the Friday and Saturday shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday show at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $11.
Director TJ Johnston said the ABC Players cast is entertaining and talented in their interpretation of “Murder on the Orient Express.”
“The performances are really good,” Johnston said, noting the performance’s production quality. Johnston encourages folks to see the show to support their neighbors’ artistic endeavors.
“The sets and the lighting that we’re going to have are going to be incredible, and honestly, just come support your community,” Johnston said. “It’s funny. I’ve seen the show 45 times now and I still laugh every night at stuff, it’s a great time.”
Johnston expressed gratitude that the show will take place at historic Stuart’s Opera House.
“We’re so lucky that we get to be based out of Stuart’s Opera House with our performances. They’re always super cool and accommodating to us,” Johnston said.
The ABC Players evolved over time to become the group it is today. According to its website, before the ABC Players, in 1973 the Berean Community Players was founded and their productions were a cultural center in southeast Ohio. In 1992, another theater group came to life, the Athenian Players Theatre. The two groups merged in 2009.
Since then, ABC Players has put on over 70 different productions.
“I think what ABC Players does for the art scene is incredibly important,” Johnston said. “We’re putting on like, five shows a year. I don’t think they’re super expensive to see, and it’s all very quality entertainment.”
For more information on the ABC Players, visit its website. Purchase tickets for “Murder on the Orient Express” from Stuart’s Opera House.
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