Reviews of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
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 about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time:
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!
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.
The Armory Bar Takes Teatime to a Boozy Level
Read about what parts of Curious Incident and 9 Parts Desire influenced our specialty cocktails and mocktail, including a few tea-based ones. We also include a recipe for one of the drinks to make at home!
Curious Incident Cast & Creative Team
Meet the cast and creative team for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Curious Incident Plot Synopsis
Investigate the plot summary for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Note: this crime scene contains spoilers!
Reviews of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
“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
Current & Upcoming
Art Exhibit: ¡Soy Yo! by Mika Martinez
¡Soy Yo!, is a multi-media project, created by Mika Martinez, that examines and celebrates Latinx identity featuring more than 50 portraits of the Hispanic/Latino community in Portland.
Piano Bar with Courtney Freed and David Saffert
Join us for this monthly event with local songstress Courtney Freed and Portland-based pianist David Saffert as they host a good old-fashioned PIANO BAR.
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Nassim
From Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (creator of the Off-Broadway smash hit White Rabbit, Red Rabbit) comes an audacious new theatrical experiment, presented in collaboration with Boom Arts. Each night, a new, unrehearsed local performer joins the playwright on stage, while the script waits, unseen, in a sealed box... Touchingly autobiographical yet powerfully universal, NASSIM is a striking theatrical demonstration of how language can both divide and unite us.
Art Exhibit: Garam Garam Chai by Yusra Siddiqui
Portland Center Stage will host Garam Garam Chai, an art exhibit by Portland-based multidisciplinary artist Yusra Siddiqui, featuring a series of hand-sewn teabag printmaking pieces that serve as a contemplation of the communal tea times shared between Desi and British culture.
Coriolanus
Shakespeare’s tragedy about the war hero Coriolanus and the fight between the elite and the deprived masses will be fueled by a dynamic female and non-binary ensemble with a muscular, movement-focused staging.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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