The words autism and Asperger's are never mentioned, but the diagnoses are creatively rendered in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the Olivier-winning play now on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore.
So striking is the production design, so remarkable is Alex Sharp's performance as Christopher Boone, we enter into the literal, mathematically precise mind of a 15-year-old autistic English boy with chilling accuracy.
Christopher sets out to solve a mystery: Who killed the neighbor's dog? That's the catalyst to chart his heartbreaking tale, inventively directed by Marianne Elliott. Mark Haddon's book is written in Christopher's voice; Simon Stephens' thoughtful adaptation accords wider empathy to his parents, who struggle with their son's myriad issues.
At heart, the story is a chronicle of Christopher's existence: He can't make eye contact, hates to be touched and is devoid of empathy or longing for emotional contact. His teacher (Francesca Faridany) supplies coping mechanisms to help navigate a frightening world. He lives with a caring father (Ian Barford) and is separated from his mother (Enid Graham). Both parents are worn down by the endless care and patience required; Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time addresses the totality of familial suffering with sensitivity.
There is no judgment, only understanding.
The set is a black box of graph paper; it doubles as the grid of Christopher's mind, as well as housing key props. The design, which liberally uses projections, is brilliantly conceived and alongside inspired choreography and video design, recreates the mind-set of a troubled teen in ways both educative and theatrical. Christopher's London trip is extraordinary in its assault on the senses.
The cast is uniformly excellent, and Sharp, making his Broadway debut, is clearly in line for a Tony nomination, as is director Elliott and set designer Bunny Christie.
Distilled to its essence, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is rendered more as artistic documentary than conventional drama. It is ingenious and sobering, a reminder of the cruel twists of fate that can shatter lives and the glimmer of hope that might redeem them.
The Country House also addresses the issue of shattered lives in Donald Margulies' nod to Chekhov. Now at the Samuel J. Friedman, Country House, starring the always-charming Blythe Danner, is a partial homage to The Seagull, but with an American sitcom makeover.
Danner plays Anna Patterson, an acclaimed actress who decries her lost glamour, trying to rekindle her passions by making a play for a younger TV star (Daniel Sunjata.) Her efforts aren't lost on her granddaughter (Sarah Steele) or her tormented son Elliott (Eric Lange), who cannot escape the reality that he's a loser in a family of winners.
The family has gathered in Williamstown on the anniversary of the death of Anna's gifted daughter. Her former son-in-law (David Rasche) and his fiancé (Kate Jennings Grant) are also in tow. The plot follows The Seagull in part -- the nature of art is discussed, while modern media is vilified by Elliott, whose whining mediocrity repulses his family. Pathos isn't pretty.
Danner delivers some wonderful digs about the current state of theater -- "There are stars on Broadway, there are not Broadway stars," while her granddaughter, studying religion at Yale, manages to smack down the pretensions of her father and grandmother with practiced ease.
Daniel Sullivan's crisp directorial timing, coupled with Margulies' witty observations, makes for entertaining fare. The cast, especially Steele and Lange, are solid. But ultimately, unlike Chekhov, it's all surface. Like most sitcoms, it has, however fleeting, the semblance of a happy ending.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.