'Murder on the Orient Express' on stage at Racine Theatre Guild

RACINE — Audiences are invited to “hop aboard” when “Murder on the Orient Express” opens Friday at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave. The show runs Sept. 13-29.

In Agatha Christie’s classic tale, a blizzard strikes on a dark, stormy night, stranding a train on the tracks. Inside the luxury coach, a murder has occurred behind a locked door. But how? Renowned detective Hercule Poirot must investigate the treachery and scheming before the killer strikes again.

In the show, a train full of suspects and a notebook’s worth of alibis add up to a fast-paced whodunnit that goes off the rails with glamor, intrigue and plenty of sleuthing. As the case unfolds, the audience will witness Poirot’s brilliant deduction skills — and uncover the shocking truth as written by the world’s most popular mystery writer. Under the direction of Douglas Instenes, the cast features Edson Melendez as Poirot, Frank Russ as Monsieur Bouc, Lindy Haug as Mary Debenham, Jonathan Neustifter as Hector MacQueen, Geoffrey Brewster as both Michel and Head Waiter, Maggie Speer as Princess Dragomiroff, Kristin Freimark as Greta Ohlsson, Elisebeth Sparks as Countess Andrenyi, Anna Marie Smetana as Helen Hubbard, and Phil Evreniadis as both Colonel Arbuthnot and Samuel Ratchett.

Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, “Murder on the Orient Express” is sponsored in memory of Daniel Spannraft. Performances are 7:30 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

There are also 2 p.m. ma.