![]() |
Deerfield Theater PodcastDiscover the magic of Deerfield theater with the Deerfield Theater Newsletter and Podcast. Get an insider's look at upcoming productions as we share important updates, and interview the actors, directors, and team members bringing these shows to life. Author: Deerfield Theater
A podcast dedicated to all things theater and family in Deerfield, IL. Learn more about this years show at https://www.deerfieldtheater.com. Buy tickets here: https://deerfieldtheater.ludus.com/. deerfieldtheater.substack.com Language: en Genres: Arts, Kids & Family, Performing Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Murder on the Orient Express, Meet the Dramaturg: Peter Forster
Friday, 27 March, 2026
Peter Forster is a South Africa-raised theater scholar with degrees in dramatic literature, directing, and screenwriting who serves as the dramaturg for Deerfield Theater's production of Murder on the Orient Express. He describes the dramaturg's role as providing literary and historical context, standing "behind the people who stand behind the scenes." For this production, he created research documents covering the 1934 political climate in Europe, background on each character's country of origin, a timeline of Agatha Christie's life and writing career, and inspiration sources such as the Lindbergh kidnapping and a real-life Orient Express snowdrift incident. He characterizes his involvement as largely supplementary and non-intrusive, noting the production team has been "wonderfully independent," while he made himself available and offered recommendations on pre- and post-show music. Peter enthusiastically praises the adaptation's bold tonal choices and the way it deviates from the novel, arguing that audiences who know the story will find it fascinating precisely because it is different, and that Christie's themes of human depravity in enclosed spaces feel remarkably relevant to today's political climate.Performances at Caruso Auditorium, 1801 Montgomery Rd., Deerfield on:* Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm* Fridays, April 3 and 10 at 7:30pm* Saturdays, April 4 and 11 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm* Sunday, April 12 at 2:00pmDeerfield TheaterPurchase TicketsWe’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make our upcoming shows a success! Whether you want to greet guests, paint sets, or help backstage, your time and energy make a huge difference. Please take a moment to let us know how you’d like to be involved. Click the “Start Survey” button below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deerfieldtheater.substack.com












