Who cares whondunit when they did it this well?

In the 91 years since its original publication, Agatha Christie’s novel Murder on the Orient Express has enjoyed remarkable success. Aside from being a long-lived best seller, the many adaptations on radio, television (including a 2022 Chinese version), film, and stage have projected the story and detective Hercule Poirot into recognition of a rare sort.

Ken Ludwig’s 2017 stage play – presented here as Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre’s season opener – is perhaps the most durable interpretation.

Director Marc Robin takes Ludwig’s tight and funny script, peoples it with remarkable casting choices, and fills the stage with mystery and delight. Andrew Kindig stars as Inspector Poirot with a spot-on portrayal, filled with character and polish. Surrounded by suspects and clues after the murder of a passenger on the train, Kindig takes Poirot on an enjoyable journey full of twists and spins as he attempts to unravel the crime.

Eddie Curry is a sharp Monsieur Bouc, who manages the train line, and Curry gets his usual share of the laughs here. Joining him are Madison Pullins as sweet Mary Debenham; Jon McHatton as a harsh Samuel Ratchett; Scot Greenwell, as Ratchett’s secretive secretary, Hector McQueen; and Suzanne Stark, returning to B&B as the regal Russian Princess Dragomiroff.

World-famous detective Hercule Poirot (Andrew Kindig) shows Countess Andrenyi (Bailey Blaise), left, and Monsieur Bouc (Eddie Curry), right, a gun he found in the compartment of a murdered passenger aboard the Orient Express in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. (Photo provided)

Additionally, Devan Mathias is an animated Greta Ohlsson; Bailey Blaise sparkles with charm as Countess Andrenyi; Lanene Charters offers a multi-leveled Helen Hubbard; and Trey Deluna takes on the soldierly Colonel Arbuthnot with panache. Jaddy Ciucci and Ben Asaykwee round out the cast as Marcel the waiter and Michel, the conductor, respectively, with stylish portrayals. The entire cast is top-notch.

Technical aspects were also first-rate. The scenic design by William Mohney, along with projections designed by Zach Rosing, solved the often-difficult needs of this script – providing a station, a train in motion, a set of compartments and a main area for sleuthing. Add to this the great costuming designed by Anthony Lascoskie, apparently borrowed from Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., and coordinated by Kathy Henry, a strong sound design by Joseph Allamo, and an impressive lighting design by Ryan Koharchik, which aids and accentuates the story-telling. Andrew Elliot provides the many wigs.

It should be noted that many accents are portrayed here. Characters are noted as being from all around the globe. While these affectations seem genuine, there is some difficulty, especially at the onset of the play, with the understand-ability of the lines at times. Perhaps a bit more attention by the players to diction might help.

Bottom line: As I have seen this show done elsewhere at other theatres, I wasn’t guessing whodidit. Regardless, this excellent cast weaves a compelling story full of drama and fun. Very impressive on all accounts.

Murder on the Orient Express continues at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre through Feb. 9. Show times and reservation availability can be viewed at BeefandBoards.com or call the box office at (317) 872-9664.

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