A case of ‘Murder at the Orient Express’

This Beaverton whodunit turns the famous train into a Chinese restaurant

BY GEOFF PURSINGER

The Times, Jul 22, 2010

Two men meet at a Chinese restaurant, a wealthy millionaire and a private detective. The millionaire is worried that someone is trying to kill him. Suddenly the lights go out, there’s a scream, and the scene is set for another classic who-dunnit.

That’s the plot of Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee’s latest summer theater production, currently playing at the Beaverton library.

The plot is based on the classic Agatha Christie tale “Murder on the Orient Express,” but with a bit of a twist.

“This is ‘Murder at the Orient Express,’ and the Orient Express is the name of a Chinese restaurant,” said Helena Greathouse through a thick Czech accent. Greathouse stars in the production as an eccentric waitress named Frau Beethoven, a rigid German woman who is not at all upset that the mysterious millionaire has just been murdered.

But don’t think that gives away the plot. As anyone familiar with Christie’s original novel will tell you, everyone on the Orient Express is hiding something.

“I don’t want to give it away, but she’s around all the time, and it comes to her in the last act,” Greathouse said.

The NAC summer program is a newer program put on by members of the Beaverton Civic Theatre, now in its second year.

The productions usually bring in actors who aren’t as experienced, Roder said, and that’s part of the fun of the production.

“It’s less intimidating for people than a show at the Civic Theatre,” said the show’s director Paul Roder, who also acts at the Beaverton Civic Theatre. “It makes for a good testing ground for people to see if they like (acting).”

Greathouse acted in NAC’s summer production last year and has already become a part of the summer theater family, Roder said.

“It’s funny, she’s become a staple of the summer for me,” Roder said. “She brings a different sensibility that a lot of actors don’t have, because she’s very strongly rooted in movement; she comes from that philosophy, and it provides a different take on her acting.”

That basis in movement comes from Greathouse’s career as a competitive gymnast, which she did until the 1970s, when she made the transition from performer to judge.

Greathouse was an international judge in rhythmic gymnastics for almost 30 years before moving to her home in Tigard’s Summerfield community in 2002.

Greathouse judged at two Olympic Games – Los Angeles in 1984 and Atlanta, Ga., in 1996 – and says that the art of movement is pivotal for her and her acting.

“I bring that movement into everything,” she said. “You must see what the character wants and what could fit for her so that it wouldn’t be out of line. Last year I played a fortune teller, and it was perfect for me, I could do a lot of movement with that. This time, as the Frau, she’s very stiff and I don’t get to do as much movement until later.”

Greathouse’s was perfect for the character of Frau, Roder said.

“She has all the qualities that Frau needs,” he said. “There’s a bit of eccentricity there, and Helena has such a unique air about her. It just fits the physicality of the character. And she’s funny! I don’t think she realizes just how funny she is sometimes.”

Despite what could be a serious subject matter, “Murder at the Orient Express” is a comedy for the whole family, Roder said.

“It’s a spoof, almost a parody,” he said. “It’s cartoonish almost. I’ve tried to take a lot of my favorite bits from Bugs Bunny and bring it to life.”

“Murder at the Orient Express” plays at the Beaverton City Library, 12375 S.W. Fifth St., for two more shows: Today (Thursday) at 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 24, at 2 p.m.

For more information about the show, contact the library at 503-644-2197.