Review: 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Storrs, CT - Connecticut Repertory Theatre, the producing arm of the University of Connecticut’s Department of Dramatic Arts, presents their performances in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre located on the Storrs campus. The main stage series continues with a production of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME that opened on Feb. 27 and runs through Mar. 8. The play is based upon the novel by Mark Haddon and was adapted by Simon Stephens; the CRT production was directed by Kristin Wold, the director of the BFA Acting program at UCONN.

Artistic Director Michael Bradford was inspired to select this show by his deep love of Mr. Haddon’s novel, coupled with his respect for Mr. Stephen’s craft in adapting it to the stage. In addition, Mr. Bradford points out that the nature of the piece, with actors playing multiple roles that populate Christopher’s world, allows the UCONN actors in training a unique and challenging opportunity. “I thought that was a great show because there would be some really solid roles for our students that would stretch them a little bit in a more contemporary piece of work,” Mr. Bradford said.

This play is unique in several ways. Christopher is a fifteen-year-old boy with an extraordinary mind. When it comes to math, he is brilliant, yet he struggles mightily to interpret everyday life. When Christopher is accused of killing a neighbor’s dog, he decides to solve the mystery and prove his innocence, despite his father’s protests. His detective work takes him on a journey that turns his already confusing world upside-down and leads him to discover a life-changing secret.

I found the production heartfelt and and the acting superb. The graphics that accompanied every scene ran the gamut of sedate to overly explanatory, although they were perhaps intentionally toned down in deference to the anticipated audience. I was a bit underwhelmed with them, although I did like when the actors stepped behind the large screen to perform in pantomime. The blocks in the shape of a trapezoid were cleverly employed throughout by the members of the cast to form necessary props and set pieces, and a few times the actors themselves used their bodies to form live versions of a set piece.

The cast of UCONN students earned the chance to work with Equity members Joe Cassidy and Margot White. In his CRT debut, Mr. Cassidy, who was most recently seen as Cal in WAITRESS on Broadway, made the role of Christopher’s often overwhelmed father Ed Boone very real. Ms. White, who appeared in the challenging CONSTELLATIONS on Broadway, was equally effective as Christopher’s mother Judy. In addition to her acting career, she has recently founded a baking company that specializes in creative concession for special events along with catering the edible props for On and Off Broadway shows; this sounds like a sweet side hustle.

Tyler Nowakowski, in his third year in the UCONN BFA program, rose to the challenge of the role of Christopher. While the audience was able to react to the gentle comedy inherent in his character, the actor also made us appreciate how difficult it is for Christopher to move through the world without curling up in a ball and wailing aloud. Mr. Nowakowski also managed to make us feel like cheering when Christopher triumphs over the challenges in his story and then explains a tricky math problem after the curtain call. Mr. Nowakoski recently appeared in the world premiere of POTTERS WHEEL at Theater for the New City.

The UCONN students in various years of their time at the university did very well with the ever changing roles they were required to take on. Starting with costumes of black pants and a white top, they added more colorful layers when they became their named characters. I liked some of the examples of when they reacted to the action at hand, like when Christopher gets the results of his exam, but other instances of mirroring Christopher seemed to me a bit redundant.

Matthew Antoci, a senior in BFA Acting, made us laugh in the role of Voice 4, a station police officer and guard, Uncle Terry and especially as Rev. Peters. Alexandra Brokowski, closing her time at UCONN, stood out as Voice 5 - No. 40/Lady in Street/Information/Punk Girl. Nicolle Cooper, a sophomore BFA student, covered Voice 6 - Posh Woman and most effectively, the elderly neighbor Mrs. Alexander. BFA sophomore Thalia Eddy was the always gentle and most competent primary teacher Siobhan seated on the side of the stage.

I remembered Justin Jager, a senior in the BFA program, as Voice 3 - a Policeman, Mr. Thompson, a drunk man, a man with socks and a London policeman. Elizabeth Jebran, a senior at UCONN who played the roles of Voice 1, was most memorable as the Mrs. Shears and the principal of Christopher’s school Mrs. Gascoyne, as well as a woman on the train and a shopkeeper. Mauricio Miranda holds a BA in Theatre Performance from Freed-Hardeman University and an MFA in playwriting from Indiana University and took on the roles of Voice 2- Roger Shears, a duty sergeant, Mr. Wise, a man behind the counter and a drunk.

The dramaturg for the play is Eddie Vitcavage, already a senior at UCONN, studying Directing and Dramaturgy. Mr. Vitcavage was the assistant director of the magnificent SWEENEY TODD and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. In his Dramaturg’s Note, he asks some insightful questions. “Clearly, the original novel is widely acclaimed because Haddon wrote a character that differed from others in contemporary literature, both in age and cognitive processing...We enter this world in a variety of frames and become observers. However, do any of our frames entirely capture what Christopher experiences? How do we translate our personal experiences to something that, for some, differs from what we experience every day? How do we observe the outside of Christopher’s, or any mind, to fully understand the intricacies inside?”

This production attempts to bring us into the mind of Christopher and under the direction of Ms. Wold, it mostly succeeds. The scenic design by Dennis Akpinar functioned well with fine lighting by Allison Zerio. Costumes by Sofia Perez allowed for the transformations needed and sound design by Mack Lynn Gauther was appropriate, if slightly muted. Julie Foh served as dialect, voice, text coach. Movement director Marie Percy and Ryan Winkles choreographed the intricate set changes and fight director Greg Webster made sure that no one was hurt during the physical conflicts. Taylor Edelle Stuart choreographed the projections and Bart P. Roccoberton, Jr. designed the wonderful puppets of Wellington the deceased dog and Toby, Christopher’s pet rat. Ian Hoffman was the puppet wrangler.

CURIOUS INCIDENT will have a sensory-friendly performance on Mar. 7 at the 2pm matinee, a first in CRT’s long history. The performance’s lights and sound levels will be modified to accommodate individuals with sensory-input disorders, including autism spectrum, anxiety, and a range of cognitive abilities. Audience members may feel free to get up and move around during the performance, and there will be a Quiet Room available for patrons that need to take a break during the show, which runs 2 hours and 20 minutes with a 10 minute intermission. I found the level of sound the lighting at the press night performance to be considerably less than the two previous versions that I attended. Be forewarned that there is some strong language in the script.

The theatre is located at 2132 Hillside RD Unit 3104 in Storrs. Coming up at the Jorgensen are MEN ON BOATS opening on Mar.26 in the Studio Theatre and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS opening Apr. 23. Tickets at crt.uconn.edu

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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