Iain Kohn and Michael Yurchak in Simon Stephens's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Greenway Court Theatre. (Photo by Philicia Endelman)
Iain Kohn and Michael Yurchak in Simon Stephens’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Greenway Court Theatre. (Photo by Philicia Endelman)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Reviewed by Julia Stier 
Greenway Court Theatre 
Through December 29

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When 15-year-old Christopher Boone discovers the lifeless body of his neighbor’s dog speared with a garden fork, he sets out to discover who the murderer is. However, his investigative questions uncover more than he bargained for, and the answers he receives set him on a journey to London.

Directed by Kate Jopson, the reputation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time precedes its arrival at Greenway Court Theatre. The play won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play, along with a handful of other accolades, including the 2013 Olivier for Best New Play. Written by Simon Stephens based on Mark Haddon’s novel of the same name, it’s a work of many reveals, making it difficult to discuss without giving away something big.

While original productions of Curious Incident were technological spectacles, Greenway Court’s set is much simpler — proving that the story is strong enough to stand on its own, and does not need neon lights and shifting stages to bring forth a compelling tale.

The success of any production will always rest on the shoulders of the actor playing Christopher — this time around played with brilliant attention to physical details by Iain Kohn. A young teen on the spectrum, Christopher has a brain that goes a mile a minute. He is a genius with numbers, but finds people confusing. His sensitivity to the world of the senses is expressed through several elements of the staging. An active ensemble stomps and bustles and yells, confronting the audience with the world as Christopher experiences it — a little too loud, a little too bright, a little too crowded.

The most endearing character is Christopher’s father, Ed (Michael Yurchak), a patient, single dad trying to do what’s best for his son while dealing with his own disappointments.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a captivating story. You will laugh, you may cry, and you will not forget it anytime soon.

 

Greenway Court Theatre, 544 North Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 p.m.; through Dec. 29. https://greenwaycourttheatre.org. Running time: two hours and 20 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.