Neurodivergent: Adjective—Having, or related to, a type of brain that is often considered as different from what is usual; for example, that of someone who has Autism or Aspergers Syndrome (Source: Cambridge Dictionary)

 “It was seven minutes after midnight…” when we first meet “Christopher Francis Boone”, a brilliant, neurodivergent 15-year-old (and three months, three days to be exact) prodigy who sees the world in an excruciatingly meticulous way.  Yes, sometimes he can be bitingly plain spoken—but he can’t lie; his favorite colors are red and metallic. Oh, and he categorically hates to be touched! Nonetheless, when it comes to intelligence he is so beyond “gifted” and he’s exceptionally endearing too—regardless of his mental state. “Christopher” is also the driving force in “The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time”–the longest running play on Broadway within the past 10 years, (playing for 800 performances at the Barrymore Theatre.) A thrilling and heartwarming adventure featuring an unforgettable, if unlikely, young hero, during its premiere West End run, the play tied the record for winning the most “Olivier Awards” (seven), including “Best New Play”; upon moving across the pond, it handily scored five “Tony Awards” (also including “Best Play”) over and above six “Drama Desk Awards” (again, “Outstanding Play” among them), and 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards. Now, “The Chance Theater”, the official resident theater company housed at “The Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center” in Anaheim California, has chosen this remarkable drama as the final production of their landmark twenty-fifth season. Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, and adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens, this new staging at ‘the Chance” is helmed by Director Darryl B. Hovis.

Admittedly, Christophers’ middle-class life in Swindon, England, is always challenging despite his astounding genius I.Q., but it’s just as incredible to witness how he doesn’t merely “survive”—he prevails! The prologue begins as “Chris” is found in his next-door neighbor, “Mrs. Shears’” backyard in the middle of the night standing over the inert body of “Wellington”, her dog who has been speared with a garden fork. Rankled by her accusations that he’s the one who did the heinous deed, (“I always tell the truth” He informs the pet’s devastated owner,) our boy then vows to find the real culprit. What he has no way of knowing (yet) is that there will be more than one mystery to solve, and he will be forced to take a perilous journey that will upend his world (and thanks to such discerning direction and acting, its practically guaranteed that you WON’T see any of it coming!)

 Director Hovis has shrewdly made the most of the play’s more stylistic elements by creating a physical environment that always keeps his audience guessing. The story—ostensibly initiated by this one “curious incident” may seem (darkly) mundane, but is far deeper and more dramatic, while at the same time is a very ‘human’ drama at its heart. Much like other great stories (Alfred Hitchcock’s immortal “Rear Window” comes immediately to mind,) this takes an allegedly ‘minor’ event, but given our hero’s persistence, is revealed to be of major—even lifechanging–impact. What also sets this one apart is the clever structure of the play—it races through flash backs, and memories as well as smoothly sallying forth into this kid’s ensuing odyssey in the present. Eventually we learn that what unfolds before us on-stage is, in reality, a sort of play-within-a-play—taken from “Christopher’s” writing on what he’s undergone because of this misunderstanding, and the heightened insight it’s brought him. As with any good potboiler, there are special aspects, such as pacing and foreshadowing, that need to be staged just right in order to make them achieve maximum resonance. Gladly, as such, Hovis has excelled and then some; and when this “whodunnit” suddenly becomes a “whydunnit” (once the titular mystery is supposedly solved, as occurs right before intermission”,) by then there are numerous other unanswered questions that have popped up and overtaken its place. Add to it, the supporting players are frequently placed on stage to help ‘flesh out’ this highly cerebral tale while also serving as a kind of “Greek chorus” to help further the plot or comment on it, or to help provide clarity to Christophers’, at times, complex thought processes.

Filled with uniformly ‘Gold Medal Quality’ performances from everyone in the cast, right from the get-go, we’re introduced to a colorful and decidedly unconventional dramatis- personae. At the heart of all of them is Aaron Lipp–who delivers a Tony-Award worthy virtuosic performance as our youthful protagonist.  We know “Christopher” is a very remarkable individual and Lipp gives a very remarkable performance portraying him. Indeed, his depiction really grows on you–he even has an unaffected charm and charisma about him. Not that he can’t be vexing now and again, but Lipp has instilled in him a precious vulnerability and refreshing likeability. Moreover, since the whole story unfurls through his eyes, Lipp is on-stage almost the entire time. That’s a hefty undertaking for any performer, but here he absolutely shines. (Don’t be surprised if you find yourself rooting for and caring about his “Christopher” within five minutes–if not sooner!) Sharing the stage with him much of the time is Rachel Oliveros Catalano as “Christopher’s” teacher and mentor at school, “Siobhan”. On top of being the play’s chief “Narrator”, this role is tasked with several vital duties all through the proceedings: not only does she act as the lad’s academic guide and supportive sounding board, but she also serves as the voice of his inner-monologue.

“Chance” Resident (and Founding) Artist, Casey Long triumphantly steps into the spotlight with a genuinely Chameleon-esque portrayal of Christopher’s mostly patient, long-suffering father, “Ed Boone”. Many regular patrons at “The Chance” are bound to be familiar with Long’s work both on-stage and behind the scenes, but in this instance, he so ‘becomes’ his character, that many (yours-truly among them,) were completely unaware it was him until the last scenes! Thus is the power of such a magnificent stage performance as Long gives here. Karen O’Hanlon is also riveting as “Christopher’s” mother, “Judy Boone”. Although she doesn’t really come into her own until the second half, Ms. O’Hanlon bestows a thoroughly believable (and for many, a thoroughly relatable) presence that flawlessly rings true with every syllable uttered. As the story progresses, we come to realize these parents may be flawed, but right or wrong, they really are doing the best they can in some pretty often trying circumstances—and they both love their son unquestionably. Likewise conferring fine support are Jonathon Lamer and Rachel McLaughlin as the not-so-happy neighbor couple, “The Shears” (It’s Mrs. Shear’s dog who is the unfortunate victim of this mystery, and the one who discovers “Christopher” hovering over the animal’s carcass.) Commendable too, is Holly Jeanne as “Mrs. Alexander”—the delightfully boisterous neighborhood gossip (yeah, every neighborhood has one!) It is she who inadvertently gives “Christopher” the primary clues that everything may not-at-all be as simplistic and settled as he’s been led to believe. Not to be overlooked either are several other actors who may take on the more ‘ancillary’ roles, but just the same serve as indispensable examiners and interpreters of the action—herein referred to as “Voices”. They include Jared Machado and Ben Green.

  The immersive set, by Scenic Designer Bruce Goodrich, is easily one of the most striking in the company’s phenomenal quarter-century history! Dominated by a full rear-wall backdrop which is comprised of an elaborate pattern of cubes (indicative of this adolescent ‘wunderkind’s” intricate way of viewing the world,) once the house lights are down, we are intrigued find that these aren’t purely four cornered decorations. Each is really a small video screen which, when active, literally transports us into other realms–including into the “Milky Way” galaxy and several less remote locales in England (—among them gritty urban London!) The actual playing space center stage is reminiscent of a giant suburban backyard pool. This is complimented by Andrea Heilman’s scintillating lighting designs which themselves work in wonderful conjunction with Nick Santiago’s dazzling projections. Each, sometimes subtly, sometimes with a more strident manner of momentum, also expand or “remark” on the goings-on. Meanwhile, each fashion choice in Adrianna Lambarri’s Costume Designs is perfectly suited for a small working-class neighborhood somewhere in England; but she also incorporates a few cunning little details that indicate the ‘characters’ and their personalities (Case-in-point: the bevy of plaid flannel shirts which are sported by Mr. Boone and several others, that essentially indicate their more-modest, ‘industrial’ stations in the larger society, thus offering  more distinction between Chistopher’s colossal intellect and those around him.) Still, for “Christopher” himself, she frequently outfits him in bold red apparel (red, he tells, “Mrs. Alexander”, is his favorite color.) Then there’s that self-same Neighbor-Lady’s bright (and somewhat gaudy) yellow sneakers with red laces–astutely reminding us that we ALL have idiosyncrasies in our own right.

It’s not one iota an exaggeration to assert that this may be the most impressive—and memorable–theatrical experience you will get to savor this season—or any! Isn’t it time you gave yourself a bracing jolt of humanity? THIS will most assuredly do it! After “Previewing” from September 22^nd through September 29^th , “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time” officially opened on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, where it is slated to run through Sunday October 22nd, 2023 on the “Cripe Stage” of the “Chance Theater @ The Bette Aiken Theater Arts Center’”, located at 5522 E. La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, Ca. 92807.  In addition, there will be a special “Neurodivergent Community” night on Friday, October 13^th , presented in association with organizations: “Autism By The Sea”, “My Day Counts”, “O.C. Aspergers Support Group”, “Peer One-On-One”, “Poppy Life Care” and “Reimagine O.C.” Following the 8:00 P.M. performance, there will be a hosted discussion with the Artists and Community Partners. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM, with Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM. Tickets may be obtained on-line by logging onto: www.ChanceTheater.com or via phone by calling: (888) 455-4212.

Production Photos by Doug Catiller, Courtesy Of “The Chance Theater” http://www.ChanceTheater.com ; Special Thanks To Casey Long, Oanh Nguyen, Darryl B. Hovis, Erika Miller, Bette & Wylie Aitken, And To The Cast & Crew Of “The Chance Theater’s” 2023 Production Of “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time” For Making This Story Possible.