Welcome to the Portland Community Theater
Home of the Portland Civic Players
Breaking Legs Since 1955
A Note from the Director:
Another new show brings another round of gratitude for everyone that helps put a production together. It takes a small army to pull these shows off and I am forever grateful to the small army I have to help this show come to life.
I have been a part of this organization since I was young. It’s never really occurred to me to do anything else. I love the people here. For a small town, we have incredible talent and I am always amazed at what we can pull off with our limited space and resources. We may not have all the bells and whistles but we have the heart and the creativity!
A huge thank you to my family, who enables the crazy and even joins in! My husband, my kiddos, my parents (this is all their fault) and my tribe. I love you all and couldn’t do it without you. Thanks for visiting our little theater home and I hope you enjoy the show!
A Note from the Assistant Director:
I would like to thank everyone who came out to see our production of “Murder on the Orient Express”. I hope you will enjoy the show.
I also wanted to thank my best friend, Mary Teachout, for giving me the opportunity to be her Assistant Director for this amazing show. I have been involved in several shows she has directed but as a Stage Manager and prop person. It has been an honor to work beside her on this show and gain a better understanding of the work a director does.
Being back on stage in 2017, in a Portland Civic Players production, brought back all the wonderful memories I had from being on stage at a younger age. And I only did it so my daughter would give theater a chance. I quickly got more involved in behind-the-scenes roles, became a voting member and then joined the Portland Civic Players board. I am currently serving as the Secretary for the Board.
I was able to do all of this with the support of my family, who also got involved in their own ways. The best memories have been the two productions that my two children were involved in as well.
Again, thanks for attending our show and we hope to see you at future productions.
In Memoriam
It is with grateful hearts and warm affection we remember that little group of talented men and women who had a dream of performing live theatre in Portland over 60 years ago. We also remember those who helped keep the dream alive. Because of their dedication to that dream, we pause for a moment to think of those who worked so hard to establish a firm foundation that has lasted to this very day.
Listed here (in alphabetical order) are those who have passed. They represent steadfast devotion to the Portland Civic Players in every way. We truly hope that all have been remembered here.
Richard & Betty Anesi
Dale Barnard Denise (Frye) Bandfield
Tom & Marilyn Bandfield
Rex Bennett
Ruth Callihan
Tom & Marie Cook
William & Anne Eddy
Olive Fitzpatrick
George & Pearle Frye
Shirley Habegger
William J. Hill
Winfield & Lora Hubbell
Mel & Fram Huhn
Vada Hummel
Tom & Pauline Jordan
Alvin & Catherine Kelly
William & Jennie Koster
Dr. Martin J. Kozachik
Alan Lazette
Barbara W. Longstreth
Herb & Verena Miller
Cree Peake
David Peake
Lillian Phillips
Brenda Pung
Chris Rainey
Adam Reeves
Floyd Rice, Jr.
Joe & Caroline (Snooks) Rich
Donald Rogers
Margaret Schrauben
Marilyn Shaw
Laban & Marge Smith
Tony & Catherine Snitgen
Mary Lou Tannery
Richard & Sydell Teachout
Particia Thelen
Tommy & Martha (Bea) Thompson
Marvin & Mary Thrasher
Jerry Tiemann
Jim Trierweiler
Willa Utterback
Sally VanPoperin
Don Webert
David & Brenda Whitaker
About the Show
Murder on the Orient Express is a classic Agatha Christie whodunnit with the added bonus of Ken Ludwig comedy.
Set on the luxury train in 1934, the Orient Express, leaving out of Istanbul, our well-known detective Hercule Poirot, is just trying to have a bit of a vacation but it is not in the cards. When an avalanche strikes, so does the murderer! With a train full of suspects and each one with an alibi how will Poirot figure it out?
Scenes
Act 1
- Somewhere in the Past
- Tukatlian Hotel, Istanbul
- Orient Express Platform
- Dining Car
- Sleeping Car
- Radio Room
- Sleeping Car Hallway
- Sleeping Car
- Dining Car
- Sleeping Car
There will be a 15-minute intermission.
Concessions will be available in our lobby.
Act 2
- Sleeping Car
- Radio Room
- Dining Car
- Radio Room
- Dining Car
Murder on the Orient Express is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com
Meet our Cast and Crew!
CAST
Clay Ramsey (Hercule Poirot)
It was recently Clay’s 10 year anniversary with the Portland Civic Players, first appearing on stage in the 2013 fall show The Female Odd Couple as the mustachioed Manolo Costazuela from Spain. He has also played Sherlock Holmes in 2019’s Baskerville. Now he’s excited to be combining the mustache and the detecting skills with a Belgian twist to portray the great Hercule Poirot! When he’s not at the theater he enjoys running ultra marathons and spending time with his wife Kelly and their dog Mr. Fox, also known as Brown Dog.
Dan Braker (Constantine Bouc)
Dan Braker returned to the stage after a couple of decades of playing in pit orchestras. He has since played roles ranging from the Big “Bad” Wolf in Shrek to King Claudius in Hamlet. He is thrilled with the challenge of learning a French accent. His day job is as Executive Director of Oasis of Hope – a free clinic in Grand Rapids. He enjoys cooking, eating, playing French horn and the Green Bay Packers. He is thankful to his wife and kids for encouraging him to follow his folly.
Emily Perry (Princess Dragomiroff)
Emily Perry is excited to join the cast of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express as Princess Dragomiroff. Emily is a local artist and musician who has performed with the Portland Civic Players in multiple productions over the years. She last portrayed Sarah Brown in PCP’s musical production of Guys and Dolls. Her favorite roles to date include Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, and Emily Webb in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Recent shows include: Guys and Dolls, Shrek The Musical, Our Town, The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and The Beast. Past shows include: Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and The Music Man.
Alex Port (Hector McQueen)
Alex Port is excited to be making his theatrical debut (both at the PCP and anywhere!) as Hector McQueen in Murder on the Orient Express! Alex grew up in Ohio where he studied music at Miami University and The Ohio State University. He currently teaches choir at Harper Creek Community Schools during the school year and works in the opera department at Interlochen Arts Camp during the summer. He has always wanted to be in a play, and is very grateful to the Portland Civic Players for being so kind and welcoming. Outside of work and rehearsal, Alex and his wife Kate enjoy being vegan foodies, rock climbing, reading, solving escape rooms and murder mysteries, and snuggling with their two cats Jupiter and Nelson.
Amber Miller (Greta Ohlsson)
Amber is from Freeport, MI. She caught the theater bug in high school and went on to graduate from GVSU with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Theater. Since then she has performed with various theater companies around the greater Grand Rapids area and has performed in over 25 different shows. This is her fourth show with the Portland Civic Players. When she is not rehearsing for a show, she enjoys singing, art, reading, and playing DND with her friends.
Deb Hattis (Countess Elena Andrenyi)
Deb has been involved with the Civic Players for many years, both on stage and off, including as a member of the Board of Directors. Her most recent role on stage was Mrs. Peacock in Clue. She would like to thank her family for their continued support and would like to thank the Portland Civic Players for the opportunity.
Erin Hoard (Helen Hubbard)
Erin Hoard is originally from Portland and now lives in Carson City with her husband, 2 dogs and a cat. An alum of the Summer Theater Program, she came back in 2021 for “1776” as John Dickenson. She has been in PCP’s Art of Dining as Nessa, Big Jule in Guys and Dolls, Assistant Directed for Shrek and was Grandma Addams in Greenville’s production of The Addams Family. She’s a trustee of the PCP Board and teaches nursing at GVSU and MSU as well as being a doctoral nursing student.
Aaron Swan (Colonel James Arbuthnot)
Aaron Swan was born and raised in Stanton, MI but has also lived in Louisville, KY and Jacksonville, FL. This is his fourth show with PCP, his most recent role being Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls. He loves playing music, making videos and is very excited to be playing Colonel Arbuthnot.
Antonius Watkins (Samuel Ratchett)
Hello again!!! My name is Antonius Watkins and I’ve been on stage for a number of years, going back to the 5th grade. My first show with PCP was in 2017 for the fall production of It’s a Wonderful Life as Sam Wainwright. From the Tin Man to Donkey and everything in between, including being a current trustee on the Board of Directors, it’s been a joy performing with the Portland Civic Players. See you from the stage!!
Emerson Dibean (Head Waiter/Michel the Conductor)
This is Emerson’s first spring production with the Civic Players, having been in 6 previous fall productions for the PCP. The latest of these was Guys in Dolls, in which he played the role of Benny Southstreet. He is currently a student at LCC and works in Tech Support at Farm Bureau. In his spare time, Emerson enjoys watching movies (and reviewing them on Letterboxd), and design work. He has also filmed and edited previous Civic Players productions. He would like to thank the Summer Theater program and Chandra Polasek and the Portland High Drama Program for helping him foster his talents, and the Civic Players for the continued opportunities to be on stage with a great group of people beyond school.
PRODUCTION CREW
Mary Teachout (Director)
This is Mary’s first time directing a non-musical production and says it has been a blast! She has been a fixture at the Portland Community Theater since she was about 10 years old when she did her first musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Since then, she has been on stage, done lights, sound, box office, directed and just about anything else you can think of. While she loves all the shows she has done, her favorite show to be on stage for was as one of the narrator’s in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her favorites for directing so far have been Beauty and the Beast and Shrek. She currently serves as the Board President for PCP. She would like to thank her family, especially her husband, who enables the crazy with the theater and even lets themselves get dragged into it. Enjoy the show!!
Laurie Reeves (Assistant Director)
Laurie is excited to take on a new role for this show. As a long time resident of Portland, she has been involved in theater for a good part of her life. She has participated in “Little Theater” (As Summer Theater used to be known), high school productions and for the last 7 years has been active with the Portland Civic Players on and off stage, including serving as the current Secretary for the Board of Directors.
Jeremy Hoard (Sound)
Jeremy is originally from Carson City and came to our theater after his wife Erin (Mrs. Hubbard) made her return to the stage. Jeremy has been our sound engineer since Shrek the Musical back in 2022. He has also been active with building sets for our productions.
Rory Miller (Sound)
Boy oh Buddy oh Pal! Audio production sure has changed since my first class using magnetic tape on reel to reel machines in 1999. I don’t want to party like it’s that any more. I love sound, teach music, record albums and music and manipulate audio. My first time onstage with PCP was at age 5 in 1985. Some stuff happened between then and now. A lotta lotta some stuff. More than I remember that’s for sure. We are so glad to have Rory helping behind the scenes for this show!
Pam Robinson (Props)
Pam lives in Portland with her husband of forty years. She is an animal lover. She has a Saint Bernard named Mr. Biggs and a Border Collie named Madison. Pam received a Masters of Social Work from Michigan State University. She retired two years ago after 45 years in this profession. Pam got involved in Community Theatre in 1998. The minute she made a costume or a prop, she was hooked on theatre. Pam has worn many hats in community theatre. She has been costume designer, prop master, stage manager as well as acting on stage. She says, “Working in the treatre community allows a person to find themselves and understand others. It also helps to build confidence and creativity. Theatre is a wonderful thing!”
Special Thanks!
The Cast and Crew of Murder on the Orient Express and the Portland Civic Players would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support throughout this production:
Epic Community Church
PFCU
Sierra Homes
Simon Insurance Agency
Duff, Chadwick and Assoc.
Fabricated Customs
Portland Community Orchestra
Gruner Graphics, LLC
Rachel Vogl
Calliope Miller
Content and Effects Warning
Trigger Warning: Dialogue regarding suicide.
Effects Warning: This show contains loud screams, gun shots, fog.
Meet our Sponsors
The Portland Civic Players would like to say a special thank you to this season’s sponsors. We could not provide what we do to the community without them. Their sponsorship and support of the arts in our community is essential for us to continue to provide quality, affordable entertainment.
Would you like to be a sponsor for our season? Check out all the details here!
Why a digital program? This decision was not reached lightly and many factors went into it. This reduces paper waste as well as helps with budgetary restrictions we have. The great news is that digital programs will remain online for the long term and can be accessed by visiting our production archives!