A Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of a bestselling novel opens at Theatre Tallahassee this Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a visually stunning, profoundly moving, and utterly unique experience,\u201d says Michelle Nickens, director of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.<\/p>\n
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The story involves a mystery surrounding the death of a neighbor’s dog. It\u2019s investigated by 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who has autism. Actor Seaira Anderson says taking on that role has been a challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been requiring me to be very open to trying new things, and it\u2019s been such an interesting look into this amazing character \u2013 how exceptionally he views the world and the different ways that he moves through it,\u201d Anderson says. \u201cI think it\u2019s a story that will really resonate with people. Even if they don\u2019t think like Christopher, I think they\u2019ll be really touched by his story.\u201d<\/p>\n
The play explores Christopher\u2019s relationships with his parents and school mentor — and how his parents navigate raising an autistic child.<\/p>\n
Robert Stuart plays the dad, Ed Boone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I really love about this play is that it utilizes a strong Greek chorus of actors, and they represent the physical manifestation of Christopher\u2019s brain. So I\u2019m really challenged as an actor because I have to anchor realistic scenes \u2013 the domestic trauma inside this wild, kinetic, abstract staging environment,\u201d Stuart says. \u201cIt has been really challenging to connect with Christopher, who is a character who doesn\u2019t like to be touched. So as an actor, I\u2019m finding new ways to communicate to convey reality in this abstract world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cast includes Elijah Wolf, who says he\u2019s never done anything theatre-related.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only experience I have that\u2019s probably close is being a dungeon master for years for Dungeons and Dragons — which I\u2019m finding actually is not that relevant of experience,\u201d says Wolf. \u201cThe message, the writing, the characters \u2013 there\u2019s so much depth and so much to learn, and I am just incredibly excited to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time runs on various dates from November 5 \u2013 22 at Theatre Tallahassee (1861 Thomasville Rd).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n