SpeakEasy Stage Company Sparkles with "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" - A MUST SEE - Through November 25th

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," written by Simon Stephens, is based on the novel of the same name by Mark Haddon. The play took London by storm in 2013, and was a smash hit on Broadway the following year, when it won the Tony for Best Play. Now, under the skilled direction of Paul Daigneault, it is creating great buzz here in Boston on the SpeakEasy stage. The play is a brilliantly conceived story of a 15 year-old autistic boy who is determined to solve the mystery of the death of his neighbor's dog. As written and as executed in this masterfully conceived production, the audience is given a glimpse of how young Christopher Boone's mind works and how the world appears through his eyes and other senses. The success of this play is placed firmly in the hands of the actor who portrays Christopher. Eliott Purcell is magnificent in this role, taking the character through a complex journey of discovery and revelation. Despite Christopher's strong aversion to being touched physically, Mr. Purcell touches us in profound ways by inviting us into Christopher's world. It is a memorable and indelible performance that is award worthy.

Mr. Purcell is well supported in the telling of this story. Director Daigneault has wisely chosen not to mimic the elaborate electronics that the Broadway production utilized. He has pared down the production and thereby made it more human and accessible. Ensemble members double as ticket machines, ATMs, and other devices. The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent. They are:

• Jackie Davis as Siobhan, Christopher's teacher
• Tim Hackney as Roger Shears and Duty Sergeant
• Laura Latreille as Judy Boone, Christopher's mother
• Craig Mathers as Ed Boone, Christopher's father
• Cheryl McMahon as Mrs. Alexander, the Boone's neighbor
• Christine Power as Mrs. Shears, the neighbor whose dog was killed
• Alejandro Simoes as Policeman and Mr. Thompson
• Damon Singletary as Reverend Peters and Uncle Terry
• Gigi Watson as Lady in Street

The work of this cast is greatly enhanced by the clever Set Design by Christopher and Justin Swader, Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg, Sound Design by David Remedios, Costume Design by Gail Astrid Buckley, and Movement by Yo-El Cassell.

The production represents the very best of the art form of drama - it entertains and provokes. It causes one to think about familiar things in new ways, as well as inviting us to consider topics that are outside most people's frame of reference.

Damon Singletary, Eliott Purcell, Laura Latreille
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"
by Simon Stephens
SpeakEasy Stage Company
Calderwood Pavilion
Through November 25th
Nile Hawver/Nile Scott Shots

You will not want to miss this MUST SEE production of an outstanding play executed to perfection. At the Calderwood Pavilion through November 25th. I will be curious to hear what you have to say about it after you have had a chance to experience it.

SpeakEasy Stage Website

Enjoy!

Al