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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

A spectacular, atypical mystery!

November 27 – December 24, 2021
On the U.S. Bank Main Stage

Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Play!

This Broadway smash hit takes you inside the mind of Christopher, an exceptionally intelligent, neurodivergent 15-year-old boy. Now, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion of killing his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, with a garden fork. Determined to find the true culprit, Christopher carefully records each fact of the crime. Ultimately, his detective work takes him on a deeply personal quest that upturns his world.

“Dazzling, pulse-pounding and remarkable.”
–Time Out New York

Sensory-friendly Performance

December 21, 2021, 7:30 p.m. – We are pleased to offer a special sensory-friendly performancedesigned to be enjoyable by all, but with some changes for those who are neurodivergent or have sensory issues. We will alter the theater environment to provide a safe, friendly, and comfortable zone, where patrons are invited to make sounds, enter and exit as needed, and enjoy the show with their family and community.

Learn More

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

  • Based on the novel by Mark Haddon
  • Adapted by Simon Stephens
  • Directed by Marissa Wolf

Curious Incident Plot Synopsis

Compiled by Benjamin Fainstein, Former PCS Literary Manager

Please note, this synopsis contains spoilers.

Christopher Boone is 15 years old and lives in the English town of Swindon, located about 100 miles west of London. He is extremely curious, an excellent mathematics student, and has an extraordinary ability to observe and retain highly detailed information about any situation he finds himself in. Christopher lives with his father, Ed, and shares a close bond with his teacher, Siobhan, who encourages him to keep a written journal of his thoughts and activities, which they read aloud together as the play progresses. As a young person on the autism spectrum, certain social situations can be challenging or confusing for Christopher to navigate, and his work with Siobhan helps him express and process his unique perspective on the world around him.

Our story begins when Christopher discovers his neighbor Mrs. Shears’ dog Wellington has been stabbed to death with a garden fork. Mrs. Shears assumes Christopher is the killer and calls the police. Christopher explains he did not kill Wellington, but the interaction becomes contentious and Christopher ends up arrested for hitting the policeman. Ed comes to the police station to retrieve Christopher. It is sorted out that the teen definitely did not kill the dog, but the incident puts more stress on the already touchy relationship between Ed and Christopher. Christopher resolves to make it his personal mission to solve the case of who killed Wellington. Meanwhile, in sessions with Siobhan, we learn that Christopher’s mother Judy developed heart disease and died in the hospital; Ed relayed the news but never allowed Christopher to visit Judy during her illness.

While Ed works with Christopher’s teachers to get him placed in advanced mathematics classes, Christopher sets out on his investigation. He goes around to the various people of his neighborhood looking for clues. As he gathers information about Wellington’s death, he stumbles into secrets about his own family history. Eventually, Christopher discovers that his mother had an affair with their neighbor, Roger Shears. When Ed learns of his son’s discovery, he unleashes a flood of repressed emotion upon his son, which culminates in a moment of violence. In the aftermath, Christopher discovers that his father has lied to him — Christopher’s mother is alive and well and living in London. She left Christopher and Ed behind, but she has since mailed dozens of letters to Christopher that Ed has kept hidden for years. Ed is forced to tell Christopher the truth about his parents’ relationship, and Ed also confesses to murdering the dog Wellington in a fit of despairing rage. 

Ed’s confession throws Christopher’s world into chaos. Christopher is convinced that since his father killed the dog he might kill him too, so he decides to leave home and find his mother. This journey will be the first Christopher has undertaken alone, and his way to London (via train) leads to a number of exciting but potentially hazardous interactions. Ed ends up catching the determined Christopher at the train station. He tries to stop Christopher, but ultimately watches him set out on his own to find Judy.

When Christopher finally makes it to Judy and Roger’s house unannounced, they are shocked to see him. Judy is happy to reconnect with her child, but Roger is not particularly pleased. Judy discovers that Ed told Christopher she was dead. It’s not easy news to process. Ed soon arrives at the house in pursuit of Christopher, and the boy’s parents argue. Christopher indicates he wants to stay with Judy, not Ed, at least until his advanced maths exams come up the following week. As Judy readjusts to life taking care of Christopher, a life which was always challenging for her, her familiar patterns return and she upsets Christopher by canceling his advanced classes without telling him. Roger does not want Christopher in their lives and becomes violent with him; Judy knows they have to return to Swindon. 

Judy faces the fact that she must place Christopher’s needs in front of her own, and with help from Ed and Siobhan, Christopher’s classes are reinstated and he takes his exams. In the end, the family begins a slow road to reconciliation. Christopher chooses to live with Judy, and his parents will share custody between London and Swindon. Ed gets a puppy, and the dog helps Christopher move toward forgiving his father. In a final moment with Siobhan, Christopher expresses pride at his bravery in solving Wellington’s murder and finding out the truth about his family. He is left wondering about the full extent of his potential and has the sense, perhaps for the first time, that he can accomplish anything.

Headshots of actor Jamie Sanders and autism consultant/actor Troy Sawyer

Behind the Curtain: Spotlight on Jamie & Troy

Literary Manager Kamilah Bush sat down with actor Jamie Sanders and autism consultant — and actor in his own right — Troy Sawyer.

Preview image for Virtual Exhibit: Artists on the Autism Spectrum

Virtual Exhibit: Artists on the Autism Spectrum

In support of our production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, we partnered with North Pole Studio to create a gallery show featuring the work of visual artists, including students, who are on the Autism spectrum or living with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Enjoy this virtual gallery — or better yet, come see it in person!

Preview image for An Interview with Jamie Sanders

An Interview with Jamie Sanders

Actor Jamie Sanders, who plays Curious Incident’s protagonist Christopher, reprises the role after collaborating with Portland Center Stage Artistic Director Marissa Wolf when she directed the play at Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 2018. Prior to his debut at KCRep, dramaturgs Mary Allison Joseph and Bethany Sulecki sat down with Jamie to discuss Christopher’s journey and why this play resonates with him personally. We’re pleased to share excerpts of that conversation with Portland audiences as we welcome Jamie back to Christopher’s world.

Preview image for *The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time* Reading List

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Reading List

Calling all readers! Multnomah County Library put together a reading list inspired by our production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Discover murder mysteries and heartwarming tales, featuring neurodivergent characters and exploring themes related to the play.

Curious Cast And Creative Banner 1200W
The cast and crew of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo by Alec Lugo.

A play by Simon Stephens
Based on the novel by Mark Haddon
Directed by Marissa Wolf

Ayanna Berkshire*

Judy

Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr.*

Voice Three, Policeman

Jimmy Garcia*

Voice Four, Rev. Peters, Understudy Ed

Nicole Marie Green*

Voice One, Mrs. Shears, Understudy Siobhan

Karl Hanover*

Voice Two, Roger Shears

Treasure Lunan*

Voice Five, No. 40, Understudy Judy

Leif Norby*

Ed

Jamie Sanders*

Christopher

Ashley Song*

Siobhan

Ithica Tell*

Voice Six, Mrs. Alexander

Andy Perkins*

Understudy Voice Two, Voice Three & Voice Four

Jamie M. Rea*

Understudy Voice One, Voice Five & Voice Six

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Erika Chong Shuch

Choreographer

Arnulfo Maldonado

Scenic Designer

Alison Heryer

Costume Designer

Robert J. Aguilar

Lighting Designer

Brendan Aanes

Original Sound Designer & Composer

Sharath H. Patel

Sound Designer

Mark Tynan*

Stage Manager

Janine Vanderhoff*

Assistant Stage Manager

Dana Petersen & Danny Rosales

Production Assistants

Troy Sawyer

Autism Consultant

Scott Stackhouse

Dialect Coach

Kristen Mun

Fight Director

Nicole Marie Green*

Dance & Fight Captain

Chip Miller & Will Cotter

Casting

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Meet the Cast

(She/Her)

Ayanna is thrilled to return to the PCS stage and this production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time! It brings her infinite joy to rejoin fellow cast and crew in welcoming all back to the theater. The world needs art and she is grateful that you agree! Ayanna is a Pacific Northwest-based actress and resident artist at Artists Repertory Theatre. She is a 2020 TCG and Fox Fellowship Foundation grant awardee and fellowship recipient, recognized for distinguished achievement. She has also been recently recognized by American Theatre magazine as a “Theatre Maker To Watch.” Ayanna has been working professionally, on stage and screen, for nearly 25 years. AEA, SAG/AFTRA. ayannaberkshireinfo.com

Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr., Voice Three, Policeman
(Pronoun Fluid)

DJ is beyond grateful to return to Portland Center Stage for this moving production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He graduated from William Peace University with a B.F.A. in musical theater. DJ has performed in productions across the country, including several occasions with North Carolina Symphony through the Manning Chamber Music Series. Favorite credits include: David Lee’s adaptation of Lerner and Lowe’s Camelot with The Old Creamery Theatre and Great Plains Theatre, Ruined at Burning Coal Theatre Company, and most recently as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show at Four Corners Theatre Company. Local credits: A Christmas Carol and Crowns at Portland Playhouse, and Mlima's Tale with Profile Theatre.

Jimmy Garcia, Voice Four, Rev. Peters, Understudy Ed
(He/Him)

Jimmy enjoys his collaborative relationships with innovative creative outlets such as Portland Center Stage, Artists Repertory Theatre, Profile Theatre, and Milagro, to name a few. Jimmy has also enjoyed five seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and considers Ashland his second home.

Nicole Marie Green, Voice One, Mrs. Shears, Understudy Siobhan, Dance & Fight Captain
(She/Her/They)

Nicole grew up in Nyack, NY, where she began studying theater at a young age within the Rockland County community. She earned her undergraduate degree in theater arts and public relations from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. After a few years living and working in New York City, she decided to head midwest to pursue an M.F.A. in acting and directing at UMKC, where she has had the opportunity to work at KCRep, The Coterie Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Spinning Tree Theatre, New Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, among others. Nicole is also a freelance director and teaching artist. Currently she resides in Portland, OR, where she loves to teach yoga, cook, walk her dog, and find the funkiest veggies at the farmer's market.

Karl Hanover, Voice Two, Roger Shears
(He/Him)

Originally from Ireland, Karl has been involved in theater in various capacities for the last 25 years. He received his M.F.A. in acting from the National Theater Conservatory in Denver and has performed in numerous productions at theaters around the country, including Cal Shakes, DCPA Theatre Company, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Profile Theatre, and Magic Theater for the world premiere of Expedition 6, an original work devised and directed by Bill Pullman. In addition to his time on stage, he has also done voice work for the gaming industry, including the characters of Atlas and Fontaine in BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea.

Treasure Lunan, Voice Five, No. 40, Understudy Judy
(They/Them)

Treasure is a Black, queer, gender variant performer whose work aims to focus on those intersections and how they affect their movement through the world. Recent performance credits include Hot N’ Throbbing (Profile Theatre), Vinegar Tom (The Theatre Company), Mlima’s Tale (Profile Theatre), Weighted Bodies (Risk/Reward), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Portland Center Stage), and The Most Massive Woman Wins (Deep End Theatre).

(He/Him)

Leif was last seen in A Christmas Memory/Winter Song.  Other shows at Portland Center Stage include: Astoria: Part One and Two, Wild and Reckless, The Oregon Trail, Our Town, Cyrano, Othello, Anna Karenina, Sunset Boulevard, The 39 Steps, Ragtime, and Guys and Dolls.  Other appearances include A Doll's House: Part One and Two (DCPA Theatre Company); Man of La Mancha (Lakewood Theater Company); In the Next Room (Profile Theater); The God Game (Brandon Woolley Prod.); Mr. Kolpert (Third Rail Repertory Theatre); Red Herring (Artists Repertory Theatre); and Beauty and the Beast (Pixie Dust). TV appearances include Portlandia and Leverage. Leif is a proud member of Actors Equity, sends love to his wife, Susie, and wishes you and yours a happy holiday!

Jamie Sanders, Christopher
(He/Him)

Jamie is a New York City-based actor. When the pandemic began, he was reprising the role of Christopher (done previously at KCRep), and now he is re-reprising it two years later. In the time between, he has taken part in a variety of Zoom-based play presentations, including Misalliance with Gingold Theatrical Group, Great Expectations with TheaterWorksUSA, and many, many others with Sweet Tea Shakespeare. He has produced a number of videos about living with Tourette Syndrome on his YouTube channel "Jamie Sanders," and he is an outspoken member of the Tourettes community.

Ashley Song, Siobhan
(She/Her)

Ashley is honored to return to Portland Center Stage for this powerful and important production. She is an award-winning, half-Korean actor and producer who co-founded Desert Island Studios to increase artists’ accessibility to film resources. When Ashley was 17, she applied to NYU to study acting. She was admitted on a full merit scholarship, which was good because she lied when she told her parents she had applied to other schools. She ended up training at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Ashley had the profound joy of watching a preview performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time before its forced closure due to COVID-19. She is grateful to be a part of this beautiful show's remount.

Ithica Tell, Voice Six, Mrs. Alexander
(She/Her)

Most recently seen in Barbecue at Portland Playhouse, Ithica (She/Her) is a PAMTA-winning actor whose vast Portland resume includes: Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Voice Six/Mrs. Alexander in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Portland Center Stage), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (StreetScenes), Wanda in Crowns (Portland Playhouse), Othello in Othello (Post5 Theatre), Frances in Melancholy Play (Third Rail Repertory Theatre), and Ursula in Bon Temps Rouler at the Shakespeare Café (Bremer Shakespeare Company, Germany). Ithicas TV appearances include Grimm (NBC), The Librarians (TNT), The Benefits of Gusbandry (web series), and Life After First Failure (CW Seed). Film credits include Waterworld, critically acclaimed The Last Champion and Losing Addison.

Andy Perkins, Understudy Voice Two, Voice Three & Voice Four
(He/Him)

Andy is an actor, improviser, and educator based in Portland, originally from Kansas City, MO. As an actor, he has worked with KCRep, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, The Coterie Theatre, and Spinning Tree Theatre. As a teaching artist, he has worked for Portland Center Stage, Northwest Children's Theatre, and KCRep. And as an improviser, he performs locally with the Curious Comedy Theatre and has taught and performed at various festivals across the country.

Jamie M. Rea, Understudy Voice One, Voice Five & Voice Six
(She/Her)

Whether devising street theater with Grotest Maru in Berlin, dancing with Kiwi sisters at The Body Festival in New Zealand, or stilt-walking through the CAFF summer season in Canada, Jamie thrives on cross-cultural collaboration through physical expression. Favorite local roles include: Halina (Indecent), Olympe DeGouges (The Revolutionists), Jack Worthing (The Importance of Being Earnest) at Artists Repertory Theatre; Amy (In the Wake), Dawn (The Secretaries) at Profile Theatre; Macbeth (Macbeth), Kristine (A Doll’s House) at Shaking the Tree Theatre; Anna (The Snowstorm) for CoHo Productions and Many Hats Collaboration. She is a 20-year ensemble member with Sojourn Theatre, co-founding artistic director of the Beirut Wedding World Theatre Project, and beside herself excited to have her PCS debut with this dream team on a beautiful adaptation of one of her very favorite books!

Meet the Creative Team

Simon Stephens, Playwright

Simon is an award-winning playwright whose plays have been translated into more than 30 languages and produced all over the world. He is a professor of playwriting at Manchester Metropolitan University, an associate playwright at the Royal Court Theatre, the artistic associate at the Lyric Hammersmith in London, and the Steep Associate Playwright at Steep Theatre in Chicago. His work includes Bluebird, Herons, Port, Christmas, Country Music, On the Shore of the Wide World, Motortown, Harper Regan, Sea Wall, Pornography, Punk Rock, The Trial of Ubu, A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky, Marine Parade, Wastwater, I am the Wind, and Three Kingdoms. TV credits include an adaptation of Pornography for Coming Up (Channel 4) and Dive (Granada/BBC).

Mark Haddon, Author

Mark is a British novelist and poet. He was educated at Uppingham School and Merton College, Oxford, where he studied English. He won the 2003 Whitbread Book of the Year Award and the 2004 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Overall Best First Book for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. His second adult novel, A Spot of Bother, was published in 2006. Haddon is known for his series of Agent Z books, one of which, Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars, was made into a 1996 Children’s BBC sitcom. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2004 BBC television adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ story Fungus the Bogeyman and the 2007 BBC television drama Coming Down the Mountain. Haddon lives in Oxford with his wife, Dr. Sos Eltis, a fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford, and their two young sons.

Marissa Wolf, Director
(She/Her)

Marissa is currently in her fourth year as artistic director of Portland Center Stage, where she launched her first programmed season in 2019-2020 with two world premiere productions and work by notable artists including Lauren Yee, Lee Sunday Evans, and May Adrales. Marissa previously served as associate artistic director/new works director at KCRep and artistic director of Crowded Fire Theater in San Francisco. Select directing credits include Fire in Dreamland by Rinne Groff (The Public Theater; world premiere at KCRep); Man in Love by Christina Anderson and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens (Portland Center Stage and KCRep); 77% by Rinne Groff (San Francisco Playhouse); Precious Little by Madeleine George (Shotgun Players); The Lily’s Revenge (Act II) by Taylor Mac (Magic Theatre); and The Late Wedding by Christopher Chen (Crowded Fire Theater). She’s been nominated for Best Director by Broadway World San Francisco and the Bay Area Critics Circle. Marissa held the Bret C. Harte Directing Fellowship at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and has a degree in drama from Vassar College, with additional training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Erika Chong Shuch, Choreographer
(She/Her)

Erika is a performance maker, choreographer, and director interested in expanding ideas around how performance is created and shared. She co-founded For You, a performance collective that brings diverse strangers together and makes performances as gifts. For You has been commissioned to create work by Court Theatre, The Momentary, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theater, and Theater Mu with support from Creative Capital, NEFA, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Groundfloor. Erika has worked as a choreographer for theaters including The Arena, OSF, Theater for a New Audience, Pittsburg Public, Portland Center Stage, American Conservatory Theater, and The Kennedy Center. Directing credits include Iron Shoes with Kitka and Lily’s Revenge, Love Act by Taylor Mac at the Magic Theatre. Erika is a Bay Area Fellow at the Headlands Center.

Arnulfo Maldonado, Scenic Designer
(He/Him)

Arnulfo is a New York City-based set and costume designer. Arnulfo is a recipient of a Princess Grace Fabergé Theater Award and a multiple Henry Hewes Design nominee. He recently received the 2020 Obie for Sustained Excellence in Set Design, as well as a Special Citation Obie as part of the creative team of the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson (Playwrights Horizons). Notable design credits include: Trouble in Mind (Broadway, American Airlines Theatre), Dance Nation (Playwrights Horizons); Nollywood Dreams, School Girls, Or; The African Mean Girls Play (MCC Theater); Sugar In Our Wounds (MTC, Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Scenic Design). M.F.A.: NYU Tisch. arnulfomaldonado.com

Alison Heryer, Costume Designer
(She/Her)

Alison is an interdisciplinary artist whose work combines costume, installation, performance, and community engagement. As a costume designer, she is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829. Her design credits include productions at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 59E59 Theaters, La MaMa, The New Victory Theater, Portland Center Stage, Portland Opera, KCRep, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, ZACH Theatre, The Hypocrites, and Redmoon. Her work has been featured in exhibitions at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, World Stage Design, and The Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. Awards include a Drammy Award, the Austin Critics Table Award for Costume Design, and the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant. Alison is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Texas at Austin.  She is a faculty member in the School of Art + Design at Portland State University, where she was recently granted the Sue Horn-Caskey & Charles F. Caskey Professorship of Textile Arts & Costume Design.

Robert J. Aguilar, Lighting Designer
(He/Him)

Robert is a Latinx lighting designer, whose previous designs for Portland Center Stage include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and In the Heights. Other Pacific Northwest credits include: In the Heights, Tiny Beautiful Things, Macbeth, A Raisin in the Sun, I Am My Own Wife, and Lizard Boy (Seattle Rep); Native Gardens, Hir, Barbeque, and Angels in America (Intiman Theatre); The Year of Magical Thinking, Romeo and Juliet, and The Wolves (ACT); Urinetown (ACT/The 5th Avenue Theatre); The Pajama Game, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Jasper in Deadland (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Spelling Bee, String, Trails, and Afterwords (Village Theatre); Uncle Vanya, The Cherry Orchard, and The Three Sisters (The Seagull Project). Regional credits include Little Shop of Horrors and Marjorie Prime (Pittsburgh Public); Susan (Public Theater UTR), Dancing at Lughnasa (Tantrum Theatre); Full Gallop (The Old Globe); In the Heights, Seven Spots on the Sun (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); In the Heights (Milwaukee Rep). Film: The Jinkx and Dela Holiday Special, Potato Dreams of America. Robert is the lighting director of Seattle Rep. robertjaguilar.com IG: @fake_robert

Brendan Aanes, Original Sound Designer & Composer
(He/Him)

Brendan is a Brooklyn-based sound designer and composer whose work includes design for plays, musicals, and interactive installations, scores for theater and dance, live foley, and design for concert performances. Recent credits include Fire in Dreamland at The Public Theater, Balls with One Year Lease Theater Company (Drama Desk nomination), {my lingerie play} at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Cowboy Bob at Ars Nova, The Unfortunates, John, The Hard Problem and Chester Bailey at American Conservatory Theater, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at KCRep, The Glass Menagerie and Othello at Cal Shakes, and The Music Man at Sharon Playhouse. Brendan received his M.F.A. in music from Mills College. aanes.org

Sharath H. Patel, Sound Designer
(He/Him)

Sharath is an Oregon based designer who works nationally and internationally focusing on experimental, commercial, academic, political and socially conscious theatre. Recent designs: Portland Center Stage, Indiana Rep, Repertory Theatre of St.Louis, Seattle Children’s Theatre, ACT Theatre, American Rep, Artists Rep, Seattle Rep, Cal Shakes, Alabama Shakes, The Contemporary American Theater Festival, Arena Stage, The Geffen Playhouse, Weston Playhouse Theatre Company. Additional work in New York City, San Francisco, L.A., D.C., Boston, Norfolk, Raleigh, Aspen, India, France, England, Germany, Romania. His affiliations: Member of USA829, Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association, Arts Envoy for the U.S. Department of State, National Respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Resident Artists at Artists Rep. BFA: Ohio University. MFA: Yale School of Drama. sharathpatel.com

Mark Tynan, Stage Manager
(He/Him)

Grateful to be making theater again! Mark is a proud union member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1985. Special thanks to the production assistants, Dana Petersen and Danny Rosales, and for the production staff who “make the sausage” so seamlessly and with so much grace. Prior to Portland Center Stage, Mark toured nationally and internationally with musicals including Dreamgirls, The King and I with Rudolf Nureyev, How to Succeed Without Really Trying, Grand Hotel, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Jersey Boys. Other Portland credits include several summers with Broadway Rose Theatre Company in Tigard. Other regional credits include: Alley Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and Casa Mañana Theatre. WE GOT THIS!!!

Janine Vanderhoff, Assistant Stage Manager
(She/Her)

Janine is thrilled to return for her sixth season at Portland Center Stage. She has been a stage manager and production manager in theater for more than 20 years on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, and on tour. She's had many favorite productions in that time, but some of her favorites include Frida …  A Self Portrait, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Macbeth, A Christmas Memory/Winter Song, Wild & Reckless (all at Portland Center Stage); Sweeney Todd (Portland Opera); The Lion King (Broadway); The Graduate (starring Morgan Fairchild), Cats, The Vagina Monologues, Jekyll & Hyde, and Show Boat (all on tour); The Daily Show with Jon StewartDemocalypse 2012 Republican National Convention.” Proud NYU graduate and AEA member.

Dana Petersen, Production Assistant
(She/Her)

Dana is so excited to be back at Portland Center Stage. Her previous credits at PCS are In the Heights, Redwood, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Production Assistant), and The Bells That Still Can Ring (Stage Manager). Dana graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A in theater. While at OSU, Dana was the stage manager on 7 Ways to Say I Love You, Beyond All Recognition, Execution of Justice, Michael Von Siebenburg Melts Through the Floorboards, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Dana sends all of her love to her family, both blood and found.

Danny Rosales, Production Assistant
(He/Him)

Danny is beyond happy to be working on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time again. Previous Portland Center Stage credits include Frida… A Self Portrait, The Magic Play, and Every Brilliant Thing. Some of his favorite stage management credits include The Brothers Paranormal (CoHo Productions/MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora); Here on This Bridge: The -Ism Project (MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora); and A Map of Virtue (Theatre Vertigo). When he’s not busy working on shows, you can usually find him playing with trash or eating too much ice cream. But silliness set aside, Danny is grateful to be working on this fantastic show with such amazing people. Lastly, he would like to thank his friends, family, and doggos for all their love and support.

Troy Sawyer, Autism Consultant
(He/Him)

Troy is thrilled to resume his position as the autism consultant, having served in the role prior to the pandemic. He earned a bachelor's degree in performing arts with a minor in cultural anthropology from Western Oregon University. Troy is primarily an actor, having performed with many Portland-based theater companies, including Fuse Ensemble, Funhouse Lounge, and Lakewood Center for the Arts. His favorite roles include: The Cook in Matilda, The Barber in King of Hearts, and Amilyn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the Musical. Also an aspiring playwright, his first show, Misreading the Script, was a semifinalist for “The Scratch” theater festival, 2019, in Seattle. Troy recently made his feature film debut, due out in 2022.

Scott Stackhouse, Dialect Coach
(He/Him)

Scott is currently the artistic coordinator for Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. He is a working voice actor and an editor-at-large for the International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA). Recent voice coaching credits include The Mousetrap (Tent Theater), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Pride & Prejudice (KCRep), Rise Up (The Coterie Theater), Eclipsed (Unicorn Theater), and Belfast Girls (Fishtank Theater).

Kristen Mun-Van Noy, Fight Director
(She/Her)

Kristen was born and raised on the island of Oahu where she started her theatrical stage combat training. She has been doing theatrical stage combat for 16 years and, for the past 10 years, she has been working as a fight choreographer and teacher in the city of Portland, OR. She owes her training to Dueling Arts International and her time as assistant fight choreographer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2009-2010) with Resident Fight Director U. Jonathan Toppo. She has received multiple awards for Best Fight Choreography, most recently Tender Napalm (2018) and Girl in the Red Corner (2019). Outside of Portland, she has worked at Utah Shakespeare Festival and Idaho Repertory Theatre. When she is not a fight choreographer, Kristen is a proud AEA stage manager and racial justice facilitator.

What Critics are Saying

"It's an emotionally charged play about a difficult time for a family, but it's also laugh-out-loud funny in a way that I didn't expect." - BroadwayWorld

"Poignant and crisp, this show reveals the earnest and straightforward and mathematical view of this 15-year-old whose brain doesn’t work like everyone else’s." - Wildfire Writing

“It’s a gripping mystery, populated by great characters ... But the center of the story is Christopher and how he relates to the world around him ... Sanders soars in this play. It is a memorable performance, and one that has the ability to make us all more human.” - Judy Nedry

"Everything I loved about the novel — the wit, the morally complex characters, Christopher’s unique and genuine voice — all of it translated perfectly in the staged production." - PDXParent

Audience Raves for Our 2021 Production

"Engaging. Creative. Unexpected."

"The main character, Christopher, captured my heart and my sympathy, as well as my admiration for his spunk."

"I appreciated the amount of space that the director gave Christopher to experience what was going on, uninterrupted. I appreciated the subject matter... and in a way, learning a bit more about what it can be like to be on the spectrum."

"What a thrill to watch this play… staged beautifully."

"A well-staged moving performance. I felt like it gave insight into a life I'm not familiar with. A magical evening."

"I was enthralled. It was an altogether beautiful experience, from the people greeting us at the door to the standing ovation at the end."

"It is fabulous! Such talented acting — riveting and heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time."

Audience Raves for Our 2019-2020 Production

“Loved it. It was emotional, intense, poignant, real and humorous all at the same time.”

“Excellent staging, excellent acting and a wonderful storyline.”

“I was truly in awe of this performance.”

“One of the best plays I have ever seen.”

“Amazing show and amazing cast. Go see it!”

“Heart breaking, heart-warming, heart healing. It's what we need right now.”

“Excellent! Superb acting, marvelous, unique staging. Very creative! Highly recommend!!!”

Acclaim for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre production
(directed by Marissa Wolf)

Curious is hilarious, intense, bittersweet, and triumphantly successful at bringing the world of one character to the hearts of his audience, and offering us the chance to invoke empathy for all who are differently-abled.” - PerformInk

“An impressive piece of work from director Marissa Wolf and a potent design team. …  Played by Jamie Sanders, a young New York actor, Christopher is variously endearing, sympathetic, exasperating and awe-inspiring.” - KCStudio

“Sanders is an ideal Christopher, capturing the character’s literal thinking patterns and social anxieties without making his speeches stilted or overly earnest. More crucially, his performance is mature. Curious Incident has the structure of a coming-of-age tale, and Sanders has a firm grasp on how the general challenges of adolescence might become particular for someone like Christopher. …Wolf and Sanders keep the action big-hearted and unprecious.” - The Pitch

“Outstanding acting, beautiful light schemes, a stunning set on a carousel, set pieces elevating from trap doors–all contribute to the effect of the play. Add to that great sound, costumes and movement and the play creates a modernistic texture that holds the piece tightly together.” - KC Applauds

“A brilliant gem of many facets … Marissa Wolf’s direction brings poignant compassion to playwright Stephens’ slightly cockeyed – in the best sense – plot and storyline … Sanders’ Christopher is by turns unnerving, brilliant, naive and savvy.” - FrankieSez

National & International Acclaim

“A beautiful, eloquent, dazzlingly inventive show about the wonders of life.” – Evening Standard

 “This adaptation by the acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens is intensely, innately theatrical; it is also funny and extremely moving … resonates with quality.” – Telegraph  

“Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Play, Curious Incident risked being overhyped but instead is every bit as good as its acclaim indicates. Smart, original and brimming with humanity.” - Hollywood Reporter

More Photos on Flickr

In Performance: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Selected highlights from our 2019-2020 production.

Top of page: Photo by Owen Carey

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