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
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).