Review: All Aboard for MURDER ON THE ORNAMENT EXPRESS In Kansas City

Christmas arrives by train in Kansas City . . . the Mystery Train that is. Murder on the Ornament Express is the current offering of the dinner theater that operates in the Golden Ox Restaurant and Californos in Westport. Wendy Thompson wrote and directs Murder on the Ornament Express, which though it does not take place on a real train, it has a train setting with a background of Kansas City history.

Murder on the Ornament Express is another wonderfully funny story developed by Thompson, with absurd characters and of course an outlandish murder. Set in 1973 Debbie, Dana, and Donnie O'Donnell are triplets traveling on the Ornament Express from WaKeeney, Kansas to Kansas City to buy a Christmas gift for their mother for her collection.

Donnie collects baseball cards and matchbox cars, while Debbie collects Pez dispensers. Dana is a fanatic about everything being in its proper order. She spends much of the train ride in the baggage car alphabetizing the luggage. Anita Gray is a postal employee on the train to help with the Christmas packages. Anita collects the mail, though her curiosity causes her to delve into letters and packages past her postal duties. Anita and the O'Donnell triplets do not get along, but then we are not sure anyone gets along with Anita.

Other characters on the train include the Conductor played by Jessica Blaze Brigman. The conductor is responsible for keeping the murder on track (excuse the pun). She is also responsible for making sure members of the audience asked to perform in the play stay in tune with the script. Members of the audience play Lynn Gilroy a want-a-be doctor, Summer Starlight a Hippie, Boyd Brown a deputy sheriff, Reverend Ken Forest (self-explanatory), and Hank Harshman a traveler from WaKeeney.

Nikki Susco-Taylor is wonderful as the loud all-knowing postal employee with a strong dislike for the O'Donnell's and well just about everyone on the train. This is the fifth appearance of Nikki on the Mystery Train and as always is delightfully entertaining. Her quick wit in conversation at the diner's tables adds to the humor.

Stephanie Charlton returns to the Mystery Train in duo roles of Debbie and Dana. Charlton gives a fine performance especially as Dana as she wanders through the story trying to keep everything in order. She has previously appeared with the Leawood Stage Company and Theatre for Young America.

Trevor Tournear gives a splendidly humorous performance as Donnie the collector and detective want-to-be. His character admitted at our table that he may not be the brightest star in the sky, but he gives a brilliant performance. Tournear has appeared in the Kansas City Fringe Festival and with the Gladstone Theatre in the Park.

Take time this holiday season to jump on board of Murder on the Ornament Express. The ticket includes dinner, show, and gratuity. Murder on the Ornament Express runs through January 3, 2015, check the calendar to determine the venue best suited for you. Purchase tickets by calling the Central Box Office at 816-235-6222 visiting the Mystery Train website. Photo courtesy of The Mystery Train Dinner Theater.

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