Louis Lotorto stars as the relentless detective in an adaptation of one of Agatha Christie’s best-regarded novels
By Lee Juillerat for the Ashland.news
Detective Hercule Poirot returns to the Cabaret stage in the Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s fall mystery, “Poirot: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” which opens Friday, Sept. 15.
In the play, Poirot is nudged out of retirement when his friend, Roger Ackroyd, is found brutally murdered. There’s a locked door, an open window, a chair that moves itself and every suspect in the village of King’s Abbot is hiding a secret. Even for the relentless, probing detective, the truth proves elusive.
“There’s a good reason why this mystery sits in the top five of most critics’ lists of Agatha Christie novels,” said Rick Robinson, who adapted the story for the Cabaret stage. “The characters are memorable and the mystery at the heart of it is just so compelling. My job as the adapter is to stay out of the way as much as possible — to let Agatha Christie’s detective yarn shine in a theatrical setting.”
Louis Lotorto returns as the titular Hercule Poirot. The show also features Cabaret veterans Michael J. Hume, Priscilla Quinby, Dan Olson and Dani Brady. U Jonathan Toppo, a longtime Oregon Shakespeare Festival favorite, is joined by Cabaret newcomers Noelle Franco, Elizabeth Gudenrath, Ryan Andrew Feyk and William Champion.
“Poirot” director Todd Nelson is known to Southern Oregon audiences for having previously directed “Poirot: Murder on the Links” and “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Cabaret along with “Catch Me If You Can” and “A Little Night Music” at the Camelot Theatre Company, and “Triumph of Love” and “Death Takes a Holiday” at the Collaborative Theatre Project.
The “Poirot” design team includes set designer Brian Redfern, lighting designer Chris Wood, projection designer Michael Stanfill, props designer James Paul Xavier and costume designer Stefan Romero.
If it were a movie, “Poirot” would be rated PG-13 for very mild coarse language and discussion of violence and murder.
“Poirot” continues through Nov. 5. Matinees are offered at 1 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights.
Reservations are required for pre-show dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages and desserts are available without reservations. Ticket prices Monday through Thursday is $46 for A Level seating, $42 for B Level seating, and $32 for C Level seating. The cost for Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances is $49 for A Level seating, $46 for B Level seating, and $32 for C Level seating. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances. $15 student rush tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with a valid student ID, subject to availability.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Oregon Cabaret Theatre box office at 541-488-2902 or visit the website at oregoncabaret.com/.
