LOGAN – The next offering by the Utah State University Department of Theatre Arts has a back-story that is every bit as compelling as the action that will appear on stage.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will debut on Friday, Feb. 7 and be staged through Saturday, Feb. 15. The award-winning play is a drama adapted by Simon Stephens based on a novel of the same name by Mark Haddon.
The story concerns a mystery surrounding the death of a neighbor’s dog that is investigated by young Christopher Boone, according to Richie Call, the chairman of the Theatre Arts Department. The plot revolves around Christopher — who is autistic — and his relationships with his parents and school mentor.
Adapting Haddon’s original novel for the stage presented some unique challenges for Stephens, since it was narrated in the first person by the 15-year old protagonist who is described as a “mathematician with some behavioral difficulties.”
“The (original) book is not specifically about any specific disorder …” Haddon explained in his blog. “If anything, it’s a novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way.”
Stephens addressed those challenges by reworking the source material, changing its voice and presenting the story as a play-within-a-play.
But Call says that’s not the only adjustment being made to dealing with a main character with autism.
“Our director — Dr. Jayne Gold — and her talented cast,” he explains, “would like to remind their audiences that both matinee performances for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Saturday, Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 are ‘Relaxed Performances’ – performances specially designed to be welcoming for individuals who may find standard theatre environments challenging.
“Our intent will be to maintain the integrity of the performance while creating a supportive atmosphere where all patrons can enjoy the show comfortably,” Call adds. “Whether a audience member needs to move, make noise or take a break, you’re welcome to do so at our relaxed performances.”
The Broadway production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time premiered in 2013, winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama League Award and the 2013 Tony Award for Best New Play.
Mickey Rowe was the first openly autistic actor to portray Christopher Boone in the play. He documented this experience in the book Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage.
Tickets can be purchased for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by calling the USU box Office at 435-797-8022 or by going online to https://utahstateaggies.evenue.net/list/UT
All performances of the play will staged in the Morgan Theatre of the Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU campus.