The Hazeltine: Performing Arts Return to Prescott – David Stringer, Publisher

With the current production of Murder On The Orient Express at the Hazeltine Theater, formerly known as the Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA), live theater has returned to Prescott. It has taken less than a year to sort out the ownership and financing issues associated with the closure of PCA. But with the current  production of the stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel, and other productions in rehearsal, fans of live theater are assured of a full performance schedule for the summer season.

New management has made some upgrades to the theater. The cabaret seating arrangements remain, but new seating has been added to expand the house. Judging from the current production,  the sound system has been upgraded and the acoustics of the theater have never sounded better.

Agatha Christie’s 1934 mystery novel, Murder On the Orient Express, is both a classic and a popular favorite. Ms. Christie’s fictional character,  Hercule Poirot rivals Ms. Jane Marple, Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Clouseau as an iconic, pop culture figure of the detective genre. Over the years a number of film adaptations have been made, the most famous being the 1974  movie with an all star cast including Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Lauren  Bacal,  Anthony Perkins and  Ingrid Bergman who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Character.

In 2017,  the Agatha Christie Estate commissioned a stage adaptation by Ken Ludwig which had a successful Broadway run and remains popular in community theater.  Set against the backdrop of the kidnapping and murder  of a child, the play is a compelling story of death and revenge. A fascinating tableau of characters are brought together on a railcar of the fabled Orient Express Railway with the shared mission of bringing a killer to  justice.  In the Hazeltine production,  the clever design of the railcar itself  provides the tight framing and tension for Detective  Poirot’s relentless unraveling of the  truth.

Director Roger Tipping II has done an excellent job with a well rehearsed cast of local talent. This task might have been made a little easier when the ‘local talent’ includes singer, songwriter and  actress, Toni  Tennille, an international star now happily retired in Prescott.

Ms. Tennille lent  her formidable talents and charm to the character of Helen Hubbard, who turns out to be the grandmother of the murdered child. In comments to this reviewer after the show, Ms. Tennille, stated how honored she was to support the performing arts in Prescott and the rebirth of live theater at the Hazeltine.

Other notable performances include Bill Kraus as Detective Poirot, the main character who appears in virtually every scene. He gave us a relaxed, engaging and totally convincing portrayal of Poirot. David Broidy Glasser had the difficult task of playing the villain, Samuel Ratchet, the American businessman who is unmasked as the child’s killer.

Considering that his character is dead before the play is half over, he made a considerable impression.

Celia Osborne gave an aristocratic and humorous touch to her role as the exiled White Russian Princess Dragomiroff.  Jason Koiter was funny and totally convincing as the Turkish Waiter. Patrick Buckley did a wonderful job as the Conductor, a character that became more important as the story unfolds. I could go on but no one wants to read a list.  Let me just say that everyone knew their lines and put a lot of heart into their characters.  Everyone did a good job.  But the real star of the show was the Hazeltine Theater itself.  Very nice to see this cultural gem back in business.

The current run of Murder On The Orient Express ends with a Sunday matinee at 2pm.  Tickets may be bought online at the website.

The next production at the Hazeltine, the Stephen Sondheim musical, Into The Woods, opens next Friday, May 9^th.