Meet the Cast of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express: Terence Keane’s Train Tunes
In our upcoming production of Murder on the Orient Express, Terence Keane plays Samuel Ratchett, an abrasive American tycoon from the 1930s. Terence is delighted to depart on his first Vintage voyage with such a killer cast and creative team. (If anything happens to him, his next of kin are Sarah, Brendan, and Angeline.)
In his last show, Terence took a train to the underworld with director Stephanie Faatz Murry. He portrayed the father in her poignant production of Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, alongside talented students from Red Rocks College. At the next stop on his route — Stop Kiss at the Louisville Arts Center (November 1-16) — he gets to play the detective instead of the heavy.
In the dining car, Terence told us how trains have been a musical theme throughout his life. His character listened in and shared his thoughts on five choo choo songs too too:
Conjunction Junction by Schoolhouse Rock!
“Conjunction junction, what’s your function? Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.”
TK’s take: Who says kids can’t learn remotely? My entire generation absorbed math, grammar, civics, and science from these catchy TV tunes. Interplanet Janet. I’m Just a Bill. Electricity, Electricity! And everyone knows… Three Is a Magic Number.
Ratchett’s reaction: Here’s my grammar lesson, buddy — no ifs, ands, or buts!
The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
“On a warm summer’s evening, on a train bound for nowhere…”
TK’s take: I grew up in New York, but I remember my choir butchering this country classic in elementary school — while wearing huge hats. America was in the middle of a Rhinestone Cowboy phase, and John Denver was hanging out with the Muppets. Like our show, though, this tune concludes with an unexpected corpse.
Ratchett’s reaction: The cowpoke got it right — keep your cards close to your chest.
The Metro by Berlin
“I was on a Paris train. I emerged in London rain…”
TK’s take: Big hair. Synthesizers. MTV… When I was a teen, New Wave was actually new. This love song set in the subway is a memory of my misspent youth, with lyrics perfectly suited to adolescent angst.
Ratchett’s reaction: That broad shoulda known — never trust anyone who speaks French.
One After 909 by the Beatles
“Pick up my bags. Run to the station. Railman says, you’ve got the wrong location.”
TK’s take: I had a band in college, like a cliché of a theater kid, and I’ve got a soft spot for this deep cut that we used to cover. (It’s one of the only Beatles’ songs in my baritone range.) Besides, they’re period appropriate, so I’m wearing John’s glasses for this play.
Ratchett’s reaction: I don’t carry my own bags, but I sure wish I’d missed my train.
Hold That Train by BB King
“Well, I wanna ride your train this morning, just to ease my achin’ heart…”
TK’s take: I could name great songs all day, but we’re running out of time. So I’ll jump ahead in my life to when I met my wife doing a style of partner dance called blues dancing. It’s slow, sultry, and soulful, just like this track from BB. Ironically, the blues are the best thing that ever happened to me.
Ratchett’s reaction: Finally, we agree… that’s a damn fine song.
Share your favorite tunes about trains in the comments. And be sure to get a ticket to ride the Orient Express!
(Production photo of Eurydice courtesy of Red Rocks Community College.)