Noah Johnson Daily Press Members of Players de Noc rehearse a scene from Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. The production starts Friday at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center in Escanaba.

ESCANABA — Players de Noc is kicking off October with a new show starting Friday night.

The season opener will be Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, directed by Jim Soderberg. The play is an adaptation by Ken Ludwig, who took Christie’s work and formed it into a script for a live play.

The showings are at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center in Escanaba.

The play is a murder mystery and a classic ‘Who done it?’ with a dash of humor aboard the Orient Express. A luxury train that transported artisans, royalty, and business people across Europe from Paris to Istanbul.

Director Soderberg, who is directing his ninth show, explained why he pursued putting on this play.

He explained that two years ago, he and his wife Lynn – who also plays Helen Hubbard in the play – were in Minneapolis and saw a different play at the Guthrie Theatre.

“We were at the gift shop like every theatre has, and I picked up a script,” Soderberg said.

He bought the script and took it home to read.

“I read it and really liked it, and I said I can see us doing this,” he explained.

The play requires a large set, so Soderberg and company had to get creative to make it work.

“Even though our theater stage is pretty small, I know we can do this if we get creative,” he said.

The staff swiftly changes scenes and constructs the set, a sight to admire as it transforms from a quaint restaurant to a luxurious train.

Opening night is this Friday, Oct. 4, with additional shows on Oct. 5, 10, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m. There is also a Sunday matinee on Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center or online at playersdenoc.org.