WICA stages Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Links in Zech Hall

Zech Hall at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is hosting a three-week staging of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Links, scheduled to run Feb. 19 through March 7 with standard tickets priced at $32 (includes $2 service charge) and WICA Star tickets at $47 (includes $2 service charge). Performances are being presented in WICA’s intimate black-box space while the organization’s mainstage undergoes renovation; the box office is at 565 Camano Ave., Langley, and can be reached at (360) 221-8268.

Promotional materials and schedule listings contain a discrepancy about opening-night designation: multiple schedule listings show a Thursday, Feb. 19 performance at 7:30 pm as the first listed date, while at least one write-up states the production "will open on February 20 in Zech Hall." Audiences should confirm opening-night details and any associated opening-night party logistics by calling the WICA box office at (360) 221-8268.

Performances are listed as follows: Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 pm; Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2:00 pm; Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 pm; Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 pm; Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 pm; Friday, March 6 at 7:30 pm; and Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 pm.

The cast of six includes Alyssa Keene as Poirot, Miles Harrison as Hastings, Tony Salome as Man One, Patricia Duff as Woman One, Andy Fling as Man Two, and Sommer Harris as Woman Two; multiple listings describe the ensemble as "a cast of six versatile actors" and "familiar Whidbey Island performers" who portray a range of roles in the staged adaptation.

Lani Brockman directs the production; promotional copy notes she is "recently of WICA’s The Cake and Fiddler on the Roof." The stage adaptation is credited to Dietz, with several local listings spelling the adapter's name as Steven Dietz and at least one spelling it Stephen Dietz. Press materials and programs can confirm the adapter’s preferred spelling.

WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan provided promotional remarks: "We’re so excited to bring the eccentric and iconic Hercule Poirot to our stage," said WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. "Agatha Christie is such a powerful female voice within the mystery genre and to bring her work to our stage in the form of Steven Dietz’s play is an incredible honor. This theatre series will open just at Langley is welcoming people once again for the longest-running immersive mystery weekend in the country. We invite everyone to come see this play as they put on their detective personas and celebrate the intrigue both on and off stage."

WICA’s institutional messaging from Executive Director Verna Everitt situates the production amid a push to expand programming and audience reach: "In my time here so far, and with the help of an amazing staff, I’ve learned so much about the incredible evolution of WICA as we know it today and also how much opportunity we have to deliver more diverse programming to the community as well as to develop our role as a regional theater company. This past season, we began day-time programming for the first time in our history with an arts lecture series and a film festival series. We have elevated our theater performances with enhanced sets, technology and a sprinkling of professional actors. Going forward, we’re exploring opera and a music lecture series, and looking for ways to collaborate with our partners in the arts community. We’ll also be looking for ways to expand educational offerings and we are restructuring our ticketing so that [...] I want to thank each one of you for understanding the importance of the arts in our community. We’re here to produce and present quality art and bring forth educational opportunities to engage your minds and quicken your hearts. It is your patronage and volunteer hours that afford us the opportunity to fulfill this mission and in doing so, enrich our community for everyone."

The production is being promoted as complementary to Langley’s Mystery Weekend programming; VisitLangley materials describe Mystery Weekend as an immersive two-day event where "amateur detectives scour the seaside village of Langley for clues" and note that the show is "perfect for mystery lovers, longtime Christie fans, and anyone looking for a smart, entertaining night out close to home." WICA listings also note an opening-night party and a specialty cocktail as part of the Zech Hall run; patrons should confirm whether those extras are included with performance tickets or require separate admission by contacting WICA at (360) 221-8268.

For ticket purchases and performance confirmation, call the WICA box office at (360) 221-8268 or visit the center’s ticketing page through WICA’s official channels; the run continues through March 7 in Zech Hall, offering a fast-paced, comic whodunit production staged during WICA’s season of expanded programming.