The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a brillant tale of love in many forms, and of the wonderful possibilities that can unfold with perseverance.
by Ann Marie Cusella
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time runs until November 14th at Shea’s 710 Theatre
Cannot Tell a Lie
In the middle of the night, 15-year-old Christopher Boone finds the neighbor’s dog impaled with a garden fork. He is very fond of Wellington and is grieved by his murder. The neighbor, Mrs. Shears, sees Christopher, and believes he killed Wellington. She calls the police, and when the policeman arrives, he makes the mistake of touching Christopher, who then begins to moan and rock his upper body. When the policeman again approaches the boy, he pushes the man away, and is arrested. His father comes to have him released and Christopher decides he must solve the mystery of who killed Wellington. So begins the story of Christopher Boone’s Sherlockian quest to find the murderer of his friend, the dog Wellington.
Christopher, a math wizard who is brilliant, very articulate, and literally cannot tell a lie, resides somewhere on the autism spectrum. His thinking is concrete. No metaphors for him, which he points out is itself a metaphor, given the meaning in Greek. He speaks in a monotone most of the time and perseverates when under stress. He is played perfectly by Samuel Fesmire, who has inhabited Christopher and made him his own in an absolutely riveting performance. Mr. Fesmire hits all the right notes in portraying an autistic child, and at the same time avoids turning him into a stereotype. He imbues Christopher with an individuality that is at once delightful and heartbreaking.
A Play-Within-a-Play
Based on the 2003 novel by Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was written by Simon Stephen as a play-within-a-play sort of, as Christopher is writing a book while he is detecting and it is being read by his teacher, as the action moves forward. The play is also an intimate family drama as well a mystery, and a window into the challenges faced by this brilliant boy who struggles mightily to navigate the complexities of the society in which he lives but does not understand. It also speaks to the challenges faced by parents who love him and are faced with their own limitations in raising this complex boy, challenges that lead to a deeper mystery than the one Christopher set out to solve.
But lest you think the play is all sturm und drang, there is a great deal of warmth and humor that lightens the mood and tickles the funny bone. In addition to the humor written into the play, much of it is due to the cleverness of Director David Oliver in the witty use of actors as props and set pieces. They are doors, the sea, and many other iterations that amuse and delight. Movement Director Gerry Trentham is complicit in this, having his charges move about the stage in military precision in several scenes.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts
Christopher Ash designed the projections that are used to great effect, from drawings of Christopher’s math problems and the houses in his neighborhood, to depictions of people’s thoughts, to the stars in the universe pulsating at night while Christopher gazes into infinity. Lynne Koscielniak is the Lighting and Scenic Designer, who has taken Christopher’s fascination with prime numbers and placed them on the floor of the stage. The giant upstage screen also serves as a window into the hearts and minds of the characters. Costumes are by Jenna Damberger. The technical elements of this production meld into a captivating whole that become an integral part of the play.
The supporting actors are all very much up to the task, some playing several smaller roles.
Sara Kow-Falcone is Siobhan, the teacher who reads Christopher’s book out loud. She radiates a great deal of warmth and caring for her student, while also being able to set limits with him in a kind and humorous manner. Anthony Alcocer is Ed, Christopher’s troubled father. He handles complex emotions with aplomb in the love, confusion, fury, and sadness he feels as the play unfolds. Candice Kogut as Judy is tasked with being both very loving and very short-tempered and does a fine job with both.
Wendy Hall is the angry Mrs. Shears, among others. Jake Hayes is the Policeman, etc. David Marciniak is the goofy Rev. Peters, etc. Pamela Rose Mangus is Number 40, etc. Ben Michael Moran is Roger, etc., and Priscilla Young-Anker is the old woman Mrs. Alexander, etc. All are excellent as they take on whichever characters they are playing in whichever moment they are playing it.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is Worth the Wait
This is the second production by All for One Theatre Productions, a collaboration between five local theaters – Road Less Traveled, Irish Classical, MusicalFare, Theatre of Youth, and Shea’s. The opening of the play at Shea’s 710 Theatre was halted by Covid 19 a mere 2-1/2 hours before it was scheduled to open in March 2020. The set has been waiting for the actors ever since.
It has certainly been worth the wait, as the play is brilliantly done and a pleasure to see. It is a tale of love in many forms, of frailty and strength, and of the wonderful possibilities that can unfold with perseverance and a kind heart.
Dates, Tickets and More Information
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is at Shea’s 710 Theatre until November 14, 2021.
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