By Ryan Hopkins
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at An Other Theatre Company in Provo is a remarkably creative, funny, and moving production. The play, written by Simon Stephens, was adapted from the novel written by Mark Haddon. Premiering in 2012, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time made its way to Broadway where it won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. Knowing it had been a riotous success on Broadway and knowing the immense talent that resides at An Other Theatre Company, I was very excited to see this show, and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time did not disappoint.
The story follows fifteen-year-old Christopher who has autism and wishes to solve the murder of his neighbor’s dog. The play is structured so the audience is in Christopher’s shoes. Bryce Lloyd Fueston plays Christopher so believably it’s as if he were an autistic teenager. It feels so lived in and organic. Fueston has an impeccable dialect that stays intact through the gamut of emotions displayed. He demonstrates a very complex principle of being very connected to the world of the play while also showing us his disconnection.
Brett Merritt, who plays Christopher’s father, has a fantastic rawness and propulsive energy. Dianna Graham, who plays Christopher’s mother, shows the great sense of the pain she has had in being separated from her son for so long. Her presence on stage is commanding.
The rest of the ensemble is solid throughout and have a great ability to keep the story focused on Christopher even though they are onstage for most of the show. A few notable standouts in the various characters they all play are Chelsea Hickman’s police officer, Brian Kocherhan’s Roger, and Laura Chapman’s little old lady.
Director Kacey Spadafora uses wonderful creativity and fluidity to present this complicated, delicate, and intense play. He tackles the many changing locations and flights of fancy by having consistent use of blocks that switch into whatever they are needed for, and by using the ensemble to help tell Christopher’s story. He always makes the complex look simple, which I am in awe.
Set design also provided by Spadafora gives us a background meant to be a chalkboard with many math equations written on it (all those maths drawn by Liz Whittaker). Ash Knowles plays an artist who uses a whiteboard to help transition us from scene to scene. The equations on the wall combined with straight lines and shaped show us how Christopher perceives his need for his world to be logical and orderly. This is in contrast to the people being more chaotic and not making sense to him. Sound design by Whittaker is crucial in helping with the locations of the various scenes, whether it be rain falling or birds chirping. Her music choices are spot on for some key scenes. Lighting Design by Paige Porter is simple yet effective in setting mood and place. There is one awe-inspiring scene about stars and going to space that you will have to see for yourself.
An Other Theatre Company’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is heartwarming with wonderful moments of comedy and hand-wringing moments of emotion. I recommend this show for teens and older due to some language.
An Other Theatre Company presents The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens.
An Other Theatre Company: Towne Centre 1200 Towne Centre Blvd Provo, Provo, UT 84601
September 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-30 2018 7:30 PM, Fri-Sat, Sensory Friendly Saturday Matinee 2:00 PM, Sunday Matinee 4:00 PM
Tickets: $12-17
Contact: anothertheaterco@gmail.com
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