Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT, USA

The Westport Country Playhouse production of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd adapted and directed by Mark Shanahan, is nothing short of fabulous with its plots and twists that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat guessing throughout as to “who done it.” Director Mark Shanahan adapted Dame Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd published 100 years ago and “named by the British Crime Writers’ Association as the greatest crime novel ever written.” The play stars an illustrious and heavy-credentialed cast of Shereen Ahmed, Anthony Cochrane, Joe Delafield, Allen Gilmore, Erin Noel Grennan, Richard R. Henry, Tom Hewitt, John Rapson, Nicole Shalhoub, Mark Silence, Katy Tang, and Karen Ziemba. The play runs until August 1, 2026, and is the perfect Summer entertainment.

The Company – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The Westport Country Playhouse’s production of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd adapted and directed by Mark Shanahan closes out its 95^th season. Located in Westport, Connecticut, the WCP has been bringing world-class theatre to its stage since it opened in 1931, and this play hits all its marks from its plot, to the talented cast, to the brilliant costumes, sumptuous stage design, and the rest of the detailed components of sound and lighting that transport the audience to a mansion in the British countryside.

Karen Ziemba (Gertrude Ackroyd) , John Rapson (Dr. James Sheppard) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

We saw the play on opening night on Saturday, July 18, 2026, and were enthralled with the Westport Country Playhouse’s Artistic Director Mark Shanahan’s adaptation and direction of the Agatha Christie novel, which has enough interesting and zany characters as well as plot twists and turns that kept us and the rest of the audience on the edge of our seats for the 2-hour production.

John Rapson (Dr. James Sheppard), Anthony Cochrane (Hercule Poirot)- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The plot is that someone murdered the wealthy Roger Ackroyd played by Mark Silence, but whom? Could the murderer be one of the “round up the usual suspects” of the housemaid Ursula Bourne played Katy Tang, Roger’s butler Parker played by Tom Hewitt, or his secretary Helen Russell played by Nicole Shalhoub? Perhaps it was Roger’s estranged stepson Ralph Paton played by Joe Delafield, or Roger’s niece, Flora Ackroyd played by Shereen Ahmed who is engaged to Ralph? Or is the murderer Gertrude Ackroyd played by Karen Ziemba who is Flora’s mother and the financially dependent widow of Roger’s younger brother? Then again, perhaps it is the long-overstay guest Major Hector Blunt played by Richard R. Henry? When one probes into each of their backgrounds, they are all highly probable and questionable.

Allen Gilmore (Inspector Raglan), Shereen Ahmed (Flora Ackroyd) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

John Rapson plays Roger’s physician, Dr. James Sheppard, and is the engaging narrator of the play, and Erin Noel Grennan plays his gossipy sister and want-to-be detective Caroline Sheppard. As luck would have it the Sheppard’s next-door neighbor is none other than the Belgian detective, retired, Hercule Poirot played by Anthony Cochrane, who befriends the Sheppard’s and finds himself back in the business of crime-solving again paired with local Inspector Raglan played by Allen Gilmore.

Anthony Cochrane (Hercule Poirot) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Director Mark Shanahan with Assistant Director Bruce Warren could not have asked for a better cast, as well as the brilliant scenic design by Charlie Corcoran, dramatic lighting by Julie Duro, sound design and original music by John Gromada, and sumptuous costume and wig design by Jeni Schaefer that help to transport the Westport audience to the British countryside.

Anthony Cochrane (Hercule Poirot), John Rapson (Dr. James Sheppard) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

If you are looking for a fabulous Summer evening or afternoon of theatrical entertainment, Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd adapted and directed by Mark Shanahan is just the ticket. Opening night was sold out and ended with the audience giving the cast resounding and well-deserved standing ovation. As to who “done it?” We are not telling… you will have to see the play for yourself; it’s well worth it. The play runs until August 1, 2026.

John Rapson (Dr. James Sheppard), Karen Ziemba (Gertrude Ackroyd), Anthony Cochrane (Hercule Poirot) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

John Rapson (Dr. James Sheppard), Anthony Cochrane (Hercule Poirot), Erin Noel Grennan (Caroline Sheppard), Katy Tang (Ursula Bourne) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd – Cast (alphabetical order)

The Company – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd – Creative Team

Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Schedule: The play runs until August 1, 2026. Sundays at 3:00 pm, Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, Wednesdays at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm. Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Runtime is 95 minutes without intermission.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at +1-203-227-4177, email them at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org, or visit the website at https://tickets.westportplayhouse.org/events. 

Special Dinner & A Show: Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse is located on the Playhouse campus and is offering a special pre-show pre-fixe menu for theatre patrons (offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Click here to view the menu and pricing, then call Gabriele’s at (203) 454-4922 to make your reservation. Be sure to tell them you are attending the show to access the exclusive menu and price!” 

Please visit the WCP’s website for other dining options: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/dining/

Westport Country Playhouse’s Upcoming Schedule for 2026

About the Westport Country Playhouse 

“Originally built in 1835 as a tannery manufacturing hatters’ leathers the building that would become Westport Country Playhouse was in 1880 turned into a steam-powered cider mill and later abandoned in the 1920s.Splendidly transformed into a theater in 1931, it initially served as a try-out house for Broadway transfers, evolving into an established stop on the New England straw hat circuit of summer stock theaters through the end of the 20th century. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse became a producing, non-profit, regional theater, preserving its original charm and character.” 

The Westport Country Playhouse, named as “Theatre Company of the Year” in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened on June 29, 1931, in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a “who’s who” of prominent actors. When you visit the Westport Country Playhouse, be sure to take time to look at the photos and playbills that line the walls of the two-story theatre to see the “who’s who” of actors who have appeared throughout the years.

Westport Country Playhouse
The Howard J. Abel Theater Center
Streicker Performing Arts Stage
25 Powers Court
Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1—203-227-4177
Toll-Free: 1-888-927-7529
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestportCountryPlayhouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcplayhouse @wcplayhouse

Cast Social Media
@shereen_ahmed
@nicshal
Bruce Warren: www.BruceWarrenOnline.com

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