Clearfield theater gears up for murder mystery
With photo of CAST facilities — Courtesy Google Streetview
CAST announces membership drive, Christmas production
The Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre Inc. (CAST) will stage “Murder on the Orient Express” in October, and as the organization looks ahead to the 2025-26 membership year, community members are invited to join or renew their membership.
Since 1983, CAST has brought high-quality arts programming to the Clearfield community through a wide range of theatrical productions, concerts, classes and community events year after year.
Guided by a board of directors, CAST’s mission is to foster the promotion of community interest in theatre, art, music, dance, photography and theatrical production for educational, civic and benevolent purposes.
Memberships help support the ongoing programming and also provides members with voting rights in the annual board election, eligibility to run for open board positions, recognition in the season program and more.
To become a member, visit CAST during office hours — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays or join online at www.ClearfieldArts.org/membership. CAST memberships are $25 for individuals and $50 for a family or business memberships.
‘Murder on the Orient Express’
Currently, CAST is gearing up for its fall show and invites the community to step aboard one of Agatha Christie’s most thrilling mysteries — “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted for the stage by acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig.
It’s billed as a thrilling and suspenseful stage production that brings the classic whodunit to life.
According to the synopsis, just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside.
Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer — in case he or she decides to strike again.
This production is sponsored by Mosquito Creek Sportsmen’s Association and directed by Dawn Deppe.
The cast includes: Marc Schule as Hercule Poirot; Bennett Salter as Monsieur Bouc; Cassidy DeJonge as Mary Debenham; Greg Mallon as Colonel Arbuthnot; Wendy Cline as Mrs. Helen Hubbard; Ben Mallon as Hector McQueen; Bob Livergood as Michel; Julie Tobias as Princess Dragomiroff; Becca Huegler as Greta Ohisson; Lew Duttry as Samuel Ratchett; Jaycee Wood as Countess Andrenyi. Other characters that appear briefly are portrayed by Peter Huegler.
“Murder on the Orient Express” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18 at CAST, 112 E. Locust St., Clearfield. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased at clearfieldarts.org.
CAST in downtown Clearfield
Located in downtown Clearfield, the CAST entrance is under the marquee and leads into the auditorium, while the stairs leading up to the wooden double doors lead to the office and board room.
The CAST auditorium seats 190 audience members with space available for wheelchairs. In addition, a reception room — normally used for rehearsals, meetings, costume design and more — is transformed for production nights to follow the theme of the show and then serves as a place for patrons to enjoy refreshments during intermission and to meet the cast and crew after the show.
The CAST facilities, on the level above the auditorium, also includes a large dance studio that is used for not only rehearsals, but for exercise, karate and dance classes. Two smaller studios are used for music lessons, and there is a waiting room, restrooms and changing areas. These spaces are available for rent.
‘A Christmas Carol’ coming in December
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 18-20. Tickets are $14.
Adapted by Charles Ludlam, this is billed as a “ridiculous but surprisingly faithful rendition of the Dickens classic” and is suitable for the entire family.
Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the ghosts of his late partner, Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come.
Faced with his own mortality, and the evil results of his misanthropic, miserly ways, Scrooge is redeemed, reconciled with his nephew and his neighbors, and becomes a second father to his assistant’s son, Tiny Tim.
Ludlam finds the humor as well as the pathos in this Victorian melodrama, creating the most Dickensian and stage worthy adaptation yet.
This show will be directed by Lew Duttry and is sponsored by CNB Bank, Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, and Penn Highlands Healthcare. The cast has yet to be selected.
More information on CAST and upcoming performances can be found at https://www.clearfieldarts.org/.