The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

An interesting challenge exists in creating a production of this play by Simon Stephens, adapted from the popular award-winning novel by Mark Haddon. The central character in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone, is evidently neurodivergent based upon his own descriptions of how he encounters and senses the world. Yet, in neither the play nor the novel does anyone explicitly state that Christopher is on the spectrum. We are left with searching to understand the working of his mind based upon his own words in the book he writes that is central to this story, and the basis of the play we are all experiencing.

Additionally, the characters in the story who populate his school, like his primary support Siobhan, decide along the way to turn Christopher’s book about his attempt to solve the mystery of who killed Wellington into a school play. So – we are left with multiple questions and levels of reality. Are we seeing a play about Christopher’s detective story, or are we seeing a play about a school play based upon his book? This is never made explicit, and I think the point is to keep us slightly off-balance about what is truth and reality – much like it often is experienced by Christopher himself.

With this production we have attempted to use the tools of the theatre: light, sound, shape, etc., in innovative ways to help us understand something about how Christopher perceives the world. We are led by his own words as he describes his likes, dislikes, thinking, behavior, senses, and interactions with the others in the story. Christopher is our narrator, and it is through his own retelling of his journey that we understand how he navigates the world and people around him.

As we worked on the show I realized that Christopher’s journey is really a hero’s journey as we understand it in classical mythology. Much like Odysseus, he sets out upon a quest, and along the way learns much about himself, and the world, and changes the lives of others. While he initially sets out to solve a murder mystery, as it often happens in heroes’ stories, his journey becomes about so much more.

In telling this story about a neurodivergent character we have been helped along the way by various consultants and experts who helped our team deepen our understanding of various aspects of the experience of autistic people and their families. I want to deeply thank our resource team of Andrew Duff, Dr, Pamela Wolfe, Dr. Diane Williams, Daniel and Laura Robinson, and Bellamarie Bregar, who along the way and at various times have helped guide our team and brought resources to this process so we could explore Christopher’s story with greater understanding and empathy.

– Rick Lombardo

Noah Silverman (Christopher) is thrilled to be telling this story on the Penn State Center Stage. He is a fourth-year student in the B.F.A Musical Theatre program from Tarrytown, New York. Noah’s credits include Spamalot (Patsy), A Chorus Line (Greg), and Pronoun (Mum). Noah has many personal connections to this impactful story and feels so grateful to be a part of this company. Graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Noah is grateful for the support of his friends and family and couldn’t be more excited to tell this beautiful story.

Derrick Sanders III (Ed) is a second-year B.F.A. Acting student from the Pocono Mountains. His previous roles include, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd:The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, John Proctor in The Crucible and Gangster #2 in The Drowsy Chaperone Derrick graduated from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for The Performing Arts and he is elated to be continuing his acting journey here at the Penn State.

Carrie Zurliene (Judy), originally from Virginia, is a fourth-year student in the B.F.A. Acting program. Previous roles include Meadow in Hooded: Or Being Black for Dummies. She is very excited for everyone to see this show!

Lauren McKee (Siobhan) is a fourth-year student B.F.A. actor. Previous Penn State credits include She Kills Monsters (Lilith/Lily), A Year with Frog and Toad (Bird/Turtle/Mother Frog), The Wolves (#46), Men on Boats (Goodman), and Juicy Drama the Musical (Megan). It is her hope that, through this show, someone will feel less alone.

Catherine Bennis (Ensemble, Mrs. Alexander, Posh Woman, Voice Six) is a fourth-year B.F.A. Acting student from the south shore of Boston. She last voiced Sister Laurence in Penn State’s radio play production of Romeo and Juliet. She can be seen in November portraying the role of Ester in Dryland at Penn State.

Riley Conrad (Ensemble, Mrs. Shears, Mrs. Gascoyne, Voice One) is a fourth-year student in the B.F.A. Acting program. Some of her past roles include: Prairie in Hooded or Being Black for Dummies, Amy in Little Women, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, Rusty in Footloose, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Gertrude in Seussical the Musical.

Nick Brogan (Ensemble, Roger, Duty Sergeant, Voice Two, Mr. Wise, Man Behind Counter, Drunk One) is a second-year B.F.A. Musical Theatre major and is ecstatic to make his Penn State Centre Stage debut, Nick is from Ellicott City, Maryland, and is excited to bring this important story to the stage. Enjoy the show!

Kris Carrasco (Ensemble, Policeman 1, Mr. Thompson, Voice Three, Drunk Two, Man with Socks, London Policeman) is a UNCSA Drama alumni who is now currently a third-year Musical Theatre major. Previous Penn State credits: The Lucky Boy (Galileo), A Chorus Line (Paul). Select Regional: Chasing Rainbows (world premiere), Gypsy, A Christmas Carol, The Music Man (directed by Chase Brock), Tuck Everlasting (Jesse; directed by Joe Barros). Huge thank you’s to chosen family both past and present. Listen to Kris’ debut single “Galaxy on Fire” on all streaming platforms. #DifferentNotLess @krisdcarrasco

Megan Irwin (Ensemble, Station Policeman, Lady in Street) is a third-year B.F.A. Acting major and is thrilled to be part of Curious Incident. This is her third performance with Centre Stage, but her first in-person performance. You may have seen her in Romeo and Juliet (Citizen, Petruchio, Watch 2) or The Osaze Project (DA Rep). Previous credits include A Doll’s House, Part II (Emmy), She Loves Me (Amalia Balash), and Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown). Megan would like to thank all of the amazing cast and crew for a wonderful experience.

Chaney Belle Thornton (Ensemble, No. 40, Voice Five, Information, Punk Girl) is currently a junior B.F.A. Acting major from Orlando, Florida. She has loving parents, two siblings, and a fluffy doggie. Some of her past credits in film have been Horrifically Mistaken, 227, and Picture Perfect. Some of her past credits in theatre have been Emily in Our Town, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, and Éponine in Les Misérable. She thanks all her professors, cast, and crew for growing her love of the craft of imagination. She also thanks her family and friends for all their love and uplifting encouragement! Oh my dayz! It’s about to start!

Korey Grecek (Ensemble, Reverend Peters, Uncle Terry, Voice Four, Station Guard) is a second-year B.F.A. Acting student from Pittsburgh. This is Korey’s second Centre Stage production, following last year’s Romeo and Juliet, the radio play, where he played Abraham.

Mads Winstead (Ensemble, Woman on Train, Woman on Heath, Shopkeeper) is a fourth-year B.F.A Musical Theatre student from Woking, United Kingdom. Some previous roles include Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, Female Swing in Violet, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Mads is deeply humbled to be working on a show so important to her and is so thankful to share this beautifully profound message with the world. We all have moments of Christopher within us, acknowledging this is just the beginning. Mads thanks her family and wonderful husband for all their support.

Maddy King (Ensemble, Swing) is a third-year B.F.A. Acting student from East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Her previous Penn State credits include The Osaze Project (Church Woman) and other credits include The Addams Family (Wednesday), Heathers (Heather Chandler), Legally Blonde (Serena), and The 2019 Youngarts Showcase (Featured Soloist – directed by Jeanine Tesori). She is grateful for her friends, family, and to finally be back in Happy Valley. @MaddyDKing

Jacob Malizio (Ensemble, Swing) is a second-year B.A. Theatre Studies Major from Pittsburgh. He is delighted to make his Centre Stage debut in this show! Favorite past roles include Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors, Rooster Hannigan and Max in The Sound of Music, and Sky in Mamma Mia! He would like to thank Jeanmarie Higgins and the School of Theatre faculty for this opportunity.

Olivia Hungate (Swing) is a second-year Theatre Studies student from Royersford. Curious Incident will be her introduction to Centre Stage mainstage productions, as well as being a part of the creative team on a production. She is thrilled for having received the opportunity to join this wonderful team of artists as they worked to tell Christopher’s story.

Flynn Nolen (Swing) is a first-year B.A. Theatre Studies student from Media. He is thrilled to be performing in his first Penn State School of Theatre production. He has played such roles as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Billy Flynn in Chicago, and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. He was a member of the Keystone State Boychoir for 8 years and performed in notable venues such as the Academy of Music and St. Mark’s Basilica. He would like to thank his family and friends that have helped him on his journey.

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Our students, faculty, and visiting professionals bring tremendous talent to the stage and you give them a stage to stand on. Our choreographers, costume and scenic designers, lighting technicians, and all of our artistic team envision new worlds and you give them the resources to realize these worlds. While Penn State provides a foundation for our theatrical productions, we rely on the generosity of our community to provide the additional resources needed to perform at the highest level. Your gifts provide financial assistance with show rights, costumes, technical equipment, set materials, music, marketing, and supporting visiting artists and educators who come to share their craft.

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