Theater Review: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program has launched the first show in the newly opened Black Box Theatre on the Fairfield campus. The talented students will present “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” the winner of 2013 Olivier Award for Best New Play and 2015 Tony Award for Best Play, through Oct. 6.

It is befitting that this technically challenging piece is the first to grace the stage of this beautifully appointed black box. The well-crafted and intriguing play was adapted by Simon Stephens and is based on the novel by Mark Haddon. The story involves a mystery surrounding the death of a neighbor's dog that is investigated by young Christopher Boone, and his complicated relationships with his parents and school mentor. To me, it is more about how the brilliant Christopher overcomes his sensory challenges to do what he feels that he needs to do. The play reworked the novel by changing its voice and further presenting the story as a play-within-a-play.

Jerry Goehring directs the students, with Isabella Ferdinandi as his assistant director. The students use British accents to bring their characters to life and the directors ensure that their movements are purposeful in order to drive the story.

David Irizarry, a junior at SHU who majors in Communication Disorders, tackles the role of the 15-year-old Christopher Boone. Irizarry masters a crushing amount of lines, delivering them as a young teen on the autism spectrum with sensory issues. His performance often made me smile because he so effectively captured his character’s literal take on humans and the world in general. The actor also conveys the whining when emotions overtake the boy, and charms the audience with his final scene after the curtain call (which I encourage everyone to enjoy.)

Juliana Balzano, a senior, beautifully plays Christopher’s caring educator with plenty of patience.

SHU junior Andrew Gunneson plays Christopher’s father, Ed Boone and does well with coming across as a character older than his castmates.

Maggie Ives, a junior, plays the role of Christopher’s mother Judy with a keen eye to her motivations.

All of the other students in the cast sit on the stage throughout and seamlessly shift between their various characters, some of them inanimate. Danielle Toppa, as Voice One, portrays Mrs. Shears and others. Taber Johnston as Voice Two plays Roger Shears and others. Joe Dunn as Voice Three plays a policeman and others. Will Heidelberger V is Voice Four and covers the role of Rev. Peters and others. Brigid Gawley is Voice Five and plays No. 40 and others. Nora Serraro as Voice Six covers Mrs. Alexander and others.

Kudos to lighting designers Anna Allegretti, Jaiden Cavallo and Kate Whalen on many wonderful effects. Alexandra Louros and Sarah Downing were in charge of the costumes and hair and make-up design that help to tell the story. Macie Cox and Katie McCabe were in charge of the prop design, which include moveable seating and a vintage train set. Sound design by Maddie Talluto and Megan Loiacano features a huge variety of noise that sometimes overwhelms Christopher (but not most members of the audience) and some well-chosen music.

The (wonderful) projections and art team included Diana Martucci, Sami Millerick and Adam Petrosino. While some reviewers have written that the tech overwhelms the play, I respectfully disagree. I find that it helps bring this heartwarming story to life.

I cannot remember another production of this play I have seen that included live animals, and it was a wonderful touch.

There are many advisories for this play, including adult language, neurodiversity, child abuse and self harm, and animal cruelty, as well as strobe lights and sudden loud noises, but all of the above make this a stronger piece of work.

Congratulations to the SHU Theatre Arts Department on an impressive inaugural production in their brand new space. I look forward to seeing many more chances for the students to hone their craft in an appropriately encouraging space.

The play is presented with one ten-minute intermission and runs about two hours. For tickets and more information, call the box office at 203 371-7908 or visit edgertoncenter.org.

Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis is a proud graduate of Sacred Heart University BA ' 81, MAT '89.