A Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of a bestselling novel opens at Theatre Tallahassee this Thursday.
“It’s a visually stunning, profoundly moving, and utterly unique experience,” says Michelle Nickens, director of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
The story involves a mystery surrounding the death of a neighbor's dog. It’s investigated by 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who has autism. Actor Seaira Anderson says taking on that role has been a challenge.
“It’s been requiring me to be very open to trying new things, and it’s been such an interesting look into this amazing character – how exceptionally he views the world and the different ways that he moves through it,” Anderson says. “I think it’s a story that will really resonate with people. Even if they don’t think like Christopher, I think they’ll be really touched by his story.”
The play explores Christopher’s relationships with his parents and school mentor -- and how his parents navigate raising an autistic child.
Robert Stuart plays the dad, Ed Boone.
“What I really love about this play is that it utilizes a strong Greek chorus of actors, and they represent the physical manifestation of Christopher’s brain. So I’m really challenged as an actor because I have to anchor realistic scenes – the domestic trauma inside this wild, kinetic, abstract staging environment,” Stuart says. “It has been really challenging to connect with Christopher, who is a character who doesn’t like to be touched. So as an actor, I’m finding new ways to communicate to convey reality in this abstract world.”
The cast includes Elijah Wolf, who says he’s never done anything theatre-related.
“The only experience I have that’s probably close is being a dungeon master for years for Dungeons and Dragons -- which I’m finding actually is not that relevant of experience,” says Wolf. “The message, the writing, the characters – there’s so much depth and so much to learn, and I am just incredibly excited to be a part of it.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time runs on various dates from November 5 – 22 at Theatre Tallahassee (1861 Thomasville Rd).
The production includes adult themes and depicts scenes of violence and animal death. It also contains strobe effects and loud noises. Viewer discretion is advised.
Click here for tickets.
