Meet the Cast of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express: Terence Keane’s Train Tunes, the Sequel!
Terence Keane is back with another batch of train tunes…
Terence portrays an unsavory American named Ratchett in our production of Murder on the Orient Express. (It’s been playing to packed houses — and we’ve added performances this weekend — but it must close on Sunday 10/27.)
When the show opened, he shared some of his favorite songs about trains on our blog — and let Ratchett weigh in with his cantankerous opinions too. Now they’re back on board for their return trip, with a new set of earworms.
When we visited him in his first-class compartment, he cranked some music (much to the dismay of Haley Johnson’s Helen Hubbard, who was trying to sleep next door). Here’s his latest playlist:
Angeline by James McMurtry
“Slow train on the trestle going east cross the Natchez…”
TK’s take: James McMurtry is the son of novelist Larry McMurtry, and you can hear it in his lyrics. I adore this spare, haunting song off his first album, which was produced by John Mellencamp.
Ratchett’s reaction: I can’t sleep, just like the guy in that song. He really shoulda stayed on the train.
People Get Ready by Curtis Mayfield
“There’s a train a-coming. You don’t need no baggage — you just get on board.”
TK’s take: This soul anthem reminds me of late nights spent under the redwoods, howling ’round a bonfire with friends in California. Whatever your beliefs, you can get on board with its message of gratitude and love.
Ratchett’s reaction: Everyone on this train has baggage. Lots of baggage.
Downtown Train by Tom Waits
“The downtown trains are full with all those Brooklyn girls. They try so hard to break out of their little worlds…”
TK’s take: Did you know who wrote and first recorded this schmaltzy Rod Stewart song? It sounds really different when Tom says he’s shinin’ like a new dime. The video features boxer Jake La Motta and ends with an anarchic accordion solo. What’s not to love?
Ratchett’s reaction: Wish I was in Brooklyn instead of riding round Europe with these clowns.
Casey Jones by the Dead
“Come round the bend, you know it's the end.”
TK’s take: How can we talk train songs without Casey and Jerry? I was never a Deadhead, but I happily jumped in a friend’s car after graduation and drove across the continent to see them in the desert. It seemed like a suitably futile thing to do with a theater degree.
Ratchett’s reaction: I don’t care what the Yugoslavian cops say. I swear there’s no cocaine in my system.
And how about you? We’ve been working on the railroad, but which songs do you love?
Peace Train, Love Train, Take the A Train?
Runaway Train, Night Train, Mystery Train?
The Midnight Special, Midnight Train to Georgia, City of New Orleans?
Driver 8, Long Train Runnin’, Folsom Prison Blues?
Sentimental Journey, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, The Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Tell us your favorite tunes on Facebook — and get tickets for the Orient Express! There are three more chances to see it this weekend, and then it’ll blow its whistle and disappear.
Terence Keane earned his BFA at Boston University in some distant century, plying his trade on the coasts before disembarking in Colorado several years ago. He’s performed locally with BETC, Coal Creek (two Louie Awards for Best Actor), Eleven Minutes, PBP, Theatre Company of Lafayette, and Vintage. His next show is Stop Kiss at the Louisville Arts Center (November 1 - 16).