The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Awards and Recognition
- OCTG Recommended
- Best Play Tony Award
Reviewer Quotes
StageSceneLA
“ Darryl B. Hovis’s extraordinary, captivating, fluid staging ”
Stage and Cinema
The Show Report
On the Cripe Stage…
Meet Christopher Francis Boone, a brilliant and neurodivergent 15-year-old boy standing in his neighbor Mrs. Shears’ backyard in the middle of the night. She is screaming at Christopher because he is standing over the body of Wellington, her sweet dog who has been speared with a garden fork. When Christopher vows to find the murderer, he doesn’t realize that there is more than one mystery to solve and he will be forced to take a perilous journey that will upend his world. Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a thrilling and heartwarming adventure story featuring an unforgettable young hero.
Please Note: This production contains some moments of sensory intensity — including lighting, video, and sound effects — reflecting the content of the novel. There is also strong language, violent behavior and domestic violence, and smoke/haze effects.
Nominated for 9 OCTG Theatre AwardsOutstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Darryl B. Hovis), Outstanding Lead Performance in Play (Aaron Lipp), Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play (Jared Machado), Outstanding Ensemble in a Play, Outstanding Lighting Design (Andrea Heilman), Outstanding Sound Design (Darryl B. Hovis), Outstanding Projection and Video Design (Nick Santiago), Notable Outstanding Achievement (Jared Machado – Fight Direction)
*** OCTG Recommended! ***
“Lipp brings Christopher heart-stoppingly to life with the assured stage presence of a veteran performer, an understanding of his characters that only a neurodivergent actor can achieve” StageSceneLA
“a visceral young actor who channels everything at just the right moment and pace, and with a beautiful accent to boot. Aaron Lipp kinetically registers Christopher’s anguished, electrifying living-in-the-moment. He’s awesome and indefatigable. A jittery mindset that initially feels chaotic and anarchic evolves magnificently; Lipp embodies Christopher’s determination perfectly (would that so many students are that ardent to pass an A-level math exam).”
Stage and Cinema“the production evocatively engages sound and music, video projection, creative staging and an excellent ensemble cast to bring the suspenseful story to life.”
LA Theatrix“[Aaron Lipp] grounds the spectacle in a brutally honest, authentic performance… Karen O’Hanlon does beautiful work as Judy, Christopher’s mother. She displays a deep well of emotion and can play brutal and angelic all at once… Casey Long is tremendous as Ed, a father doing his best to care for a child whom he continually struggles to connect with. His balancing act of rage and tenderness provides some of the emotional high points of the story… Rachel McLaughlan portrays numerous roles, including the outraged Mrs. Eileen Shears (owner of Wellington) and her one-line deliveries per character land with perfectly timed aplomb… Jared Machado brings wry humor to his several roles, including the Reverend Peters and the Policeman… as the needy neighbor, Mrs. Alexander, Holly Jeanne taps into the cloying well of busy-body loneliness… a round of applause to Jonathon Lamer playing various roles with his trademark intensity — especially as the menacing Roger Shears, estranged husband to Eileen.”
The Show Report“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”
Bucking Trends
Executive Producer
Linda Maggard
Associate Producer Elizabeth Jones
Season Producers
Bette & Wylie Aitken
Associate Season Producer The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
Community Partners (in alphabetical order):
Peer 1-on-1
Show artwork designed by KC Wilkerson, kcwdigital.com.
RELAXED ATMOSPHERE PERFORMANCES |
| Fri, Oct 13 at 8 p.m. and Sat, Oct 21st at 3 p.m. |
| A "Relaxed Atmosphere Performance" is perfect for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. These performances allow for noise and movement in the auditorium, re-entry when needed, and a chill-out space for any one who may need time away from the performance. This includes audience members with dementia, anxiety, Tourette’s, bowel and bladder conditions, an autism spectrum condition, or a learning disability. |
| PLEASE NOTE: Relaxed Atmosphere performances have no adjustments made to the performance. They are not suitable for audience members with sensory sensitivities. |
NEURODIVERSE COMMUNITY NIGHT |
| Friday, October 13, 7-11:30 p.m. |
| Community Partners: Autism By The Sea, My Day Counts, OC Asperger's Support Group, Peer 1-on-1, Poppy Life Care, and Reimagine |
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| Are you part of a Community Organization? Contact us at [email protected] for information on special discounts and fundraising opportunities. |
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
- Full-Service Bar
- Free Parking
- Conveniently Located
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At a Glance
- Approximate Running Time:
- 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission
- Special Notes:
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- Conversation with the artists following every performance
- Join us for Opening Night as a Gold Member.
- Babes in arms and children under 4 are not permitted.
- 30% off for groups of 10 or more.
- Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performances (Sep 22-29)
- Relaxed Atmosphere Performances - Fri, October 13th at 8PM and Sat, October 21st at 3PM
- Neurodiverse Community Night - Fri, October 13th at 8PM
- Please Note: This production contains some moments of sensory intensity -- including lighting, video, and sound effects -- reflecting the content of the novel. There is also strong language, violent behavior and domestic violence, and smoke/haze effects.
Many important messages were present in the Play involving individuals on the spectrum, family relationships, honesty and how we express love.
I was very impressed with the acting, especially of Aaron Lipp (phenomenal) and Casey Long (excellent)!
The acting and overall presentation was superb. Comedic and also thought provoking. I’ve yet to see a bad show at the Chance. Seats were really comfortable. Way more so than the Segerstrom or the Dorothy Chandler
Everyone’s performance was so engaging. The story is so beautiful and the actors and crew brought it to life. I think it’s a play that everyone should see!
It was BRILLIANT
The play was outstanding. The acting and staging were wonderful. Loved the small venue. There was leg room for my 6 foot 3 husband!
It’s mind blowing – wish SCR would do productions more like this
I brought 10 total people, 3 of whom (including me) saw this show previously at the Ahmanson in 2017. Everyone thought your staging was very clever and inventive, and your cast uniformly excellent. We 3 who saw it previously thought Mr. Lipp’s performance was superior to the one we saw at the Ahmanson.
A great performance and an object lesson on dealing with different people
The size of theater is amazing for close up viewing. The cast, sets and scripts are great
Fantastic performance! I’m reminded of the reason I became a member and will be bringing my daughter to see it next week.
Just very impressed with overall production, acting and plays I have seen. Thoroughly enjoyed this story as well. Very touching and inspiring for kids (brought my young boys 11.5 & 14) first play as tween/teen and they liked it!
This was my third live performance and I love the Chance Theater.
All the actors were great! The casting is just amazing how well they all fit their part.
Christopher was amazing all his mannerisms were spot on for an autistic person. I mean he was great!
I really like how smooth the changing of the stage was so cool how it all just comes together. I also was impressed with they way the actors were props like moving as the door opens, the laundry machine and the coat rack. Again when the man was drinking and the drinks just kept appearing for him to drink another.
The sound effects were great! The best most adorable actor on stage tonight was the doggie. Absolutely adorable!
It was a great play! I am excited to see more.
Excellent storyline and awesome acting. My husband and I loved it. My only wish is that you offered an earlier show time for us elderly people ha ha ha or even may be a Saturday matinee as Sunday mountain Aries interfere with our church responsibilities
Amazing theatre