BDN reviews SPA production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’
The Bangor Daily News reviewed the University of Maine School of Performing Arts production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” which opened Nov. 15 and runs through Nov. 24 in Hauck Auditorium. The play is written by Simon Stephens based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling 2003 novel. The story focuses on Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism who embarks on a “life-changing adventure” to solve a murder mystery, the BDN reported. Cary Libkin directs a cast of 10 students in the play, which utilizes “stunning technology that gives the production a cinematic feel,” the article states. The music, sound, lighting and projected images help audience members “stand in Christopher’s shoes and to feel what he feels. The work behind the scenes on this production is as fine as that of any professional company in the state,” according to the article, which credited set designer Dan Bilodeau, lighting designer Christopher Annas-Lee, costume designer Michelle Handley and sound designer Curtis Craig for beautifully executing Libkin’s vision for the play. “As Christopher, Elijah McTiernan gives an unforgettable performance … only by stripping his soul bare as an actor is McTiernan able to portray how Christopher’s condition keeps him closed off from his emotions and his parents,” the article states. Vanessa Graham, who plays Christopher’s teacher Siobhan, “exudes warmth as the one person Christopher can always return to for comfort.” And Emilia Byrne as Christopher’s mother Judy “emanates an unconditional love for her son despite her frustration with his behavior.” According to the BDN, “Christopher’s journey is beautifully told and almost perfectly executed in this production. McTiernan’s multilayered performance and the show’s technical wizardry deserve a wide audience and standing ovation.”