DETECTIVE HERCULE POIROT

David Wayne Cannady is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is retired from the Air Force. He has participated in over 11 productions with the Community Theatre of Cabot, and we are grateful for his return after some years off. David's previous shows include You Can’t Take It With You, Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, Life with Father, The Nerd, The Mousetrap, The Invisible Man, and Ring of Fire. David is a farmer, rancher, carpenter, electrician, plumber, private investigator, digital content creator, artist, writer, minister, and music artist with six worldwide released albums, which have reached as high as #6 on the country music charts in the Netherlands. His latest album, Nevermore, is available on your favorite streaming service, and he plans to release another album in the winter of 2024-25

"Stepping into the shoes of Hercule Poirot has been a profound exploration into the psyche of one of literature’s most intricate minds. This journey, much like Poirot’s relentless pursuit of truth, has called me to delve deep, to uncover layers of my craft that were previously untouched. Every rehearsal has been an opportunity to refine, to observe, and to breathe life into a character defined by his keen intellect and meticulous nature. It’s an honor to portray the world’s greatest detective—a figure both commanding and unyieldingly human. This role reminds me of the timeless allure of mystery and the magnetic pull of storytelling. To embody Poirot is to embrace precision, curiosity, and an unswerving dedication to justice. For this, I am immensely grateful to my wife, my muse and partner, whose unwavering encouragement grounds me. Her steadfast presence allows me to pursue this passion wholeheartedly, making her the unseen strength behind every line and every insight I bring to the stage. I carry her spirit with me as I bring Poirot’s to life, grateful for this remarkable journey."

HECTOR MCQUEEN

This is Jonathan’s first mainstage show at the Community Theatre of Cabot, though he has been involved with productions at CTC’s Academy of Fine Arts since its opening in early 2023. He entertained audiences on the Academy stage as SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical and played Knuckles in Bugsy Malone. Additionally, he wrote and directed plays for the Academy’s 2024 Spring Showcase. Jonathan is excited to share the stage with his mom for the first time.

COUNTESS ANDRENYI

Patti Carson is thrilled to be back on stage at the Community Theatre of Cabot after making her debut last year in The Odd Couple (Female Version). This year, she is excited to share the stage with her son, Jonathan Carson, as well as an amazing cast and crew. It is not uncommon to see members of the Carson clan either on stage or working in the lobby during a show. Jonathan is a part of the CTC Academy, and her daughter, Kelsey, has participated in all of the summer youth productions. They even managed to get her husband involved as a musician for the production of Ring of Fire last spring. Patti would like to thank CTC for all they have done for her and her family and looks forward to many more collaborations in the future.

HELEN HUBBARD

Judy has always loved theater, music, and all that they imply since high school. Her secret ambition was to be an actress, but says a lack of confidence held her back.

She participated in productions of The Music Man (twice), My Fair Lady, Boeing Boeing, and various cabaret-type performances. Her husband, Steve, served in the Air Force for 30 years, and they were fortunate to be stationed in places like Athens, Greece, San Antonio, Texas, and other bases across the country. It was during these years that she became involved with community theater again.

They moved from Florida to be closer to their daughter, Erika, and grandchildren, Emma and Eli. Sadly, Steve passed away in 2017 from Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Fast forward to the present: Judy discovered the Community Theatre of Cabot and decided to engage in something that had always brought her joy. She auditioned and was cast in Murder on the Orient Express.

Judy is having a wonderful time and has met many great people along the way. She expresses her gratitude to the Community Theatre of Cabot for the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic group!

PRINCESS NATALYA DRAGOMIROFF

Annie Hill is originally from Mio, Michigan, and has called much of the U.S. home as a Homebirth Midwife, End-of-Life Companion, Childbirth Educator, Doula, & Doula Trainer. She has supported families wherever needed and continues to serve them both in person and remotely in whatever capacity they require. As a student member of the International Thespian Society, Annie earned her first paycheck from Columbia Pictures, gaining hands-on experience with the differences between stage and screen performance. Throughout her academic years, she balanced theater with general studies and later enjoyed roles as both a performer and a licensed AFTRA agent in Connecticut. Although she represented actors in major films throughout the New York City region, she narrowly avoided screen credits herself. Annie returns to the stage in our production of Murder on the Orient Express as Princess Natalya Dragomiroff.

"I want to thank my family, both local and in the St. Louis area, for putting up with my extended time here—without their support, I couldn’t have done this. My husband deserves special recognition, as he has stood by me with unwavering love, strength, and patience, supporting my return to something that truly brings me joy. I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by an amazing cast and crew, and I look forward to continuing my presence at the CTC."

COLONEL ARBUTHNOT | SAMUEL RATCHETT

Kaleb Lucas hails from Miami, OK, and currently works at Safelite in Little Rock. His past theater credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, The Odd Couple (female version), and Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Kaleb shares his life with his talented fiancée and best friend, Nicole Amonette Kelly (affectionately called "Pickle"), his smart and talented son, Aidan Kelly, and three beloved cats: Bea Arthur, Betty White, and Baby Cat. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games and spending time with his family. Kaleb extends his gratitude to Fran for her direction and to his family for their unwavering support.

MARY DEBENHAM

Stephanie Pulliam hails from Cabot, AR, and is a Registered Nurse with 25 years of experience in theater. Her impressive stage credits include productions such as Oklahoma!, Les Misérables, Love, Sex, and the IRS, Arsenic and Old Lace, Smoke on the Mountain, Harvey, and the female version of The Odd Couple. Offstage, Stephanie enjoys contributing her talents to costume design, hair, and makeup.

In her free time, she serves as a leader in her son’s Cub Scout Pack and enjoys hiking, camping, painting, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.

CONSTANTINE BOUC

Brandon has not graced the stage in a production for 25 years, but this is not his first time on the Community Theater of Cabot’s stage. He served as Co-Emcee for the Inaugural Christmas Cabaret, which reignited his passion for live theater. Theater holds a special place in his heart, as it is where he met his wife, Michelle. In fact, theater has a special place in his entire family's hearts. Both of his daughters, Emma and Carly, are students at the CTC Academy of Fine Arts and have been actively involved in classes and productions. During SpongeBob the Musical, he helped bring the set to life by carving the main characters' houses. Brandon also volunteered backstage, putting on crab claws, opening jellyfish, moving mountains, and generally lending a hand (or a fin) wherever it was needed, all while spending time with his daughters.

It was his wife and daughters who encouraged him to audition for Murder on the Orient Express, and he is so grateful for their support! As Constantine Bouc, he hopes you enjoy your ride on the pride of Wagon-Lit, the greatest vehicle on Earth: the Orient Express!

Once you are in the theater, you are always in the theater.

GRETA OHLSSON

Jessica Tuttle is a proud mom of six and has been a dedicated “theater mom” for 17 years. She participated in theater throughout her school years, but after becoming a mother, she never thought she’d find herself back on stage. In high school, Jessica was part of a traveling theater group, and the last play she performed in was during her senior year at Harding University in 2001.

MICHE THE CONDUCTOR | HEAD WAITER

Joseph Tuttle is an accomplished engineer specializing in precast concrete. He owns his own Precast Technical Service Group and has contributed to award-winning projects across the United States.

This production marks Joseph's first experience in theater and on stage!

DIRECTOR

Fran Jameson is delighted to be involved with another CTC production!! She’s a transplant from her childhood home in Lexington, KY, but has lived in Central Arkansas since 1986 and in Cabot since 2017. She has been active in theatre since childhood and earned a BA in Drama at Vanderbilt University. A work-from-home insurance manager for transportation and logistics firms, Fran loves all things outdoors, from gardening and yard work to hiking in the mountains and spending precious time with her family. Local credits include directing ”The Odd Couple (Female Version)” (CTC, 2023), “The Importance of Being Earnest” (CTC, 2022), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (CTLR, 2008), “Our Town” (CTLR 2006), and “Crimes of the Heart” (CTLR, 2006), and acting in “Steel Magnolias” (Ouiser Boudreaux, CTC 2022), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Narrator/Adult Jean Louise, Argenta Community Theater, 2018), “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove” (Sue, Weekend Theater, 2015), and “The Quality of Life” (Jeanette, Weekend Theater, 2012). Her special passion is creating props! “Eternal love and gratitude to Rob and the rest of my wonderful family for their enduring support and encouragement.”

AUTHOR

Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and, in many languages, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. She is the author of 66 crime novels, 150 short stories, over 20 plays, and six novels written under the name Mary Westmacott. Her work includes Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and the genre-defining And Then There Were None.

Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was written towards the end of the First World War, in which she served in the VAD. In it she created Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective who was destined to become the most popular detective in crime fiction since Sherlock Holmes. It was published by Bodley Head in 1920.

In 1926, after averaging a book a year, Agatha Christie wrote her first masterpiece. The  Murder of Roger Ackroyd was the first of her books to be published by Collins and marked the beginning of an author-publisher relationship that lasted for 50 years and well over 70 books. Ackroyd was also the first of Agatha Christie’s books to be dramatized – under the title Alibi – and to have a successful run in London’s West End.

By 1930, Agatha had introduced a new character to act as detective. When she created Miss Marple, Agatha did not expect her to become Poirot’s rival, but with The Murder at the Vicarage, Miss Marple’s first full-length outing, it appeared she had produced another popular and enduring character.

The Mousetrap, her most successful play of all, opened in 1952 and is the longest-running play in history.

Agatha Christie was made a dame in 1971. She died in 1976.

Agatha Christie Limited (ACL) has been managing the literary and media rights to Agatha Christie's works around the world since 1955, working with the best talents in film, television, publishing, stage and on digital platforms to ensure that Christie’s work continues to reach new audiences in innovative ways and to the highest standard. The company is managed by Christie’s great grandson James Prichard.

Visit www.agathachristie.com for more information.

ADAPTER

Ken Ludwig has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year.

His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You is currently running on London’s West End. It was previously on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical.

In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo, Leading Ladies, Baskerville, Sherwood, Twentieth Century, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, A Fox on the Fairway, A Comedy of Tenors, The Game’s Afoot, Shakespeare in Hollywood and Murder on the Orient Express. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Kristen Bell, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins and Henry Goodman.

His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year, and his essays on theatre are published in the Yale Review. He gives the Annual Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and he served on the Board of Governors for the Folger Shakespeare Library for ten years. His first opera, Tenor Overboard, opened at the Glimmerglass Festival in July 2022. His most recent world premieres were Lend Me A Soprano and Moriarty, and his newest plays and musicals include Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley and Lady Molly of Scotland Yard.

His plays include commissions from the Agatha Christie Estate, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Bristol Old Vic. For more information visit www.kenludwig.com.