Review of 'The Curious Incident' by Amity Creative Theater

“The word 'metaphor' means carrying something from one place to another . . . and it is when you describe something by using a word for something that it isn't. This means that the word 'metaphor' is a metaphor." - Christopher in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

Dedicated to all the special education teachers around the world

Woodbridge, CT - THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is the Tony Award-winning Best Play that was adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s 2003 best selling novel with the same cumbersome title. Amity Creative Theatre at Amity High School bravely decided to take on this demanding piece for their annual winter play.

In CURIOUS INCIDENT we watch Christopher as he interacts with the (loud) world around him in his own unique way. While a diagnosis of autism spectrum is not specifically mentioned in the play or the novel, the brilliant fifteen-year-old teen has significant sensitivity issue that are imaginatively presented so that the audience is very effectively brought into his often-confusing world.

Christopher is clearly exceptionally intelligent, but he has great difficulty interpreting everyday life; he is enrolled in a special school that is in the process of teaching him the life skills he obviously needs. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s large dog, he bravely tries to identify the real culprit; this leads to a shocking discovery and an unlikely journey that changes his life forever.

Christopher presents with and has a history of severe sensitivity issues as well as difficulty with being with and understanding other people. While some actions of his parents Ed and Judy are quite awful, they have been dealing with a child with special needs for fifteen years and it clearly has caused a strain on their marital relationship. These two parents clearly love their son but they are not able to give him a hug without setting off a violent episode.

This adaptation of the novel is presented as a play within a play based upon a book that Christopher has written about his real life coming of age story. Siobhan, his highly-effective teacher/mentor at school, serves as the onstage narrator and breaks the fourth wall to address the audience. The ensemble members sometimes sit at the edges set awaiting the entrance of their next character; that black set with some incredible lighting effects was almost an uncredited character.

As is always the case at Amity, I soon forgot that this was a cast made up of high school students that have been in rehearsal since September. The lead role of Christopher Boone was masterfully played by the supremely talented Ryan Kennedy. I have been watching the younger Mr. Kennedy grow up on stage since he played the young TARZAN and most recently saw him in CARRIE with Broadway Method Academy. He clearly possesses the stamina needed to pull off this role with a huge number of rapid mostly rapid-fire lines where he is in constant motion and seldom offstage. The wonderful Lilli Querker (Little Red in INTO THE WOODS, Pugsley in THE ADDAMS FAMILY) was just as busy onstage as the caring teacher who never loses her patience with Christopher.

Talya Braverman did very well with the role of Christopher’s mother Judy and Marty Gridula (Fester in ADDAMS) convincingly played the role of the teen’s father Ed Boone. The talented ensemble members labeled as “voice” one through six included (in order) Macy Cox, Nico Sagnelli, Jacob Lee, Evan Kober, Olivia Gross and Grace Blanchard. Harold the puppy is played by the adorable, all-black and supremely calm canine named Harold Swain.

Director Robert Kennedy, just named Teacher of the Year for the school district, has never shied away from a challenge and this show was certainly no exception. I have reviewed every ACT musical since SWEENEY TODD, but this is the first time I was able to make the annual play offered for only one weekend. This production set the bar very high for the plays that follow. Andrea Kennedy (CARRIE at Broadway Method Academy) served as choreographer of the fluid movements that defy description; it was not so much dancing as intricate movements and lifts.

Julie Chevan designed the contemporary costumes. Mr. Kennedy was in charge of the scenic design as well as the interesting music and sound effects. Dan Hassenmayer always does amazing work, but the lighting design for this piece impressive in both scope and execution. It presents as mini light show throughout the two acts. Andrew Gusciora is credited with the fabulous videos that suggested locations and much more. Avital Sutin found a wide variety of necessary props. The ensemble members served as furniture when a wooden block did not suffice. Caroline Camera was the dialect coach of the English accents that were very well maintained and accurate. Marcia Rizzotti and Mr. Kennedy are the advisors of ACT.

The audience laughed at the misinterpretations of Christopher without irony and these lightened the otherwise often heavy proceedings. Be warned that parts of the show are extremely loud and ironically would not be appropriate for anyone with sensory issues.

This was a thinking person’s play that was fully immersive; the family in front of me with younger children did not return after intermission (unless they moved to some of the empty seats.) I saw the national tour two years ago and I saw very few differences in the two productions. Patrons familiar with the book enjoyed seeing how the artistic team brought some of the more difficult parts to life. Some audience members were discussing the fine line between portraying a young man on the autism spectrum accurately and being over the top; I would argue that there is a wide variety of behaviors for individuals on the spectrum and this performance did not cross over the line.

CURIOUS INCIDENT was made possible by a grant from the very generous Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation and is presented with one intermission. Don’t miss the seats in the auditorium that have been marked as Prime Number Seats, celebrating Christopher’s love of prime numbers. My seat 101 had the explanation of the concept attached to the back of my seat.

I was surprised to see that the performance was not as well-attended as the Amity musicals always are, but there was definitely a strong presence of teens who had come to support their fellow students. The closing performance is Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8pm on the mainstage at Amity HS. Definitely remain in your seat after the curtain call to witness an explanation of Christopher’s favorite math problem complete with confetti.

The annual spring musical at Amity HS will be CATCH ME IF YOU CAN THE MUSICAL which runs April 5 - 13, 2019.

All photos courtesy of ACT

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 on Twitter @nancysjanis417