USU Theatre Arts Explores Unique Perspectives in 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University’s Department of Theatre Arts presents “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a moving play that follows 15-year-old Christopher as he investigates the mysterious death of his neighbor’s dog, uncovering truths that change his world. The production will be in the Morgan Theatre with dates in February.

Jayne Gold, assistant professor and head of BA and Minor in Theatre Arts, will make her USU directorial debut with this play.

“Fifteen-year-old Christopher finds himself under suspicion of killing his neighbor’s dog, Wellington,” Gold said. “In search for the real culprit, he embarks on a thrilling journey which turns his world upside down. This is profoundly moving play about fractured families, trust and braving the unknown.”

The two Saturday matinee performances will be “relaxed performances,” offering a relaxed attitude to noise and movement, adjusted lighting levels and freedom for patrons to leave and re-enter the auditorium.

Gold shared that having relaxed performances was a goal she had in mind from the start, especially with the story of Christopher. Though a specific condition is not named, he has neurodivergent characteristics. The cast and crew wanted to make sure those who will resonate with Christopher’s story will be able to view the performance.

“Accessibility shouldn't be the exception,” Gold said.

The role of Christopher will be played by Jordan Radford, a first-year student studying acting. He said the role of Christopher is one he understands well.

“I am actually deaf, so I use ASL as my main form of communication,” Radford said. “I identify with him because I kind of see the world in like, a curious way, and that's something that resonates with him, because he does view the world differently. And that's OK.”

Radford shared that his parents and sister are also deaf, and his brother has ADHD. With this personal connection, he believes stories like Christopher’s are vital to share.

“The story is important to tell because it shows that Christopher, with all his uniqueness and all his quirkiness and all his innocence, can do things just like everyone else,” Radford said. “He shows that that he's not one dimensional. He just exists in his world, and he does everything just like everyone else, and those little things that make him just a little bit different are only what push him, and they don't hold him back.”

Radford’s castmate, Es Barnes, echoed this sentiment.

“I think telling Christopher story to neurotypical audiences and to anyone and everyone is going to be really important, because there's not a lot of good representation of those things out there,” Barnes said. “I hope that everyone knows that this story is for them, and there's something they can relate to.”

Barnes, who is playing Christopher’s mother Judy, has a minor in ASL, which she and Radford are incorporating into the production.

Gold shared that she hopes audiences will consider Christopher’s story long after leaving the theater.

“I would like them to think about the world in a slightly different way, having been immersed in Christopher's world,” Gold said. "How that might change how they perceive the world and how they view other people, and also how they view themselves.”

Barnes believes the story also will resonate with parents.

“Judy's character is about the struggle of parenthood, specifically with a child who develops differently or slower or faster in some cases,” Barnes said. “It goes through her navigating parenthood in general, but especially with a kid with different needs.”

Gold said that this aspect hits home for her, as a parent herself.

“This show really speaks to me as a parent, and we do brave and wonderful things every day as a parent,” Gold said. “We also make mistakes and mess things up. It's about recognizing those things and remembering our sense of truth and bravery.”

The play will have a movie equivalent rating of PG- 13, with one use of the F-word, some minor cursing and some themes of violence.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, 8, 11-14. Showings at 1 p.m. will also be available on Feb. 8 and 15. For more information, visit the website and purchase tickets online or at the CCA Box Office, located in the Chase Fine Arts Center.