"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" - by Simon Stephens, Mark Haddon - Concord Players (Concord, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Finian Ross as “Christopher” with Michelle Mount as “Mrs. Shears" in a scene from "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" by Simon Stephens based upon the play by Mark Haddon, presented by Concord Players in Concord, MA. now playing through February 28, 2026. Photo Credit: Chris Pollari)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes."
- ("Christopher") / Simon Stephens, Mark Haddon
Concord Players
Presents
"THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME"
Written by Simon Stephens
Based on the play by Mark Haddon
Directed by Michael Jay
Cast Includes: Finian Ross as “Christopher,” Amelia Smith as “Siobhan,” Nick Bennett-Zendzian as “Ed,” Becky Ruccio as “Judy,” Michelle Mount as “Voice One - Mrs. Shears and others,” Johnny Penney as “Voice Two - Roger Shears and others,” Colin Zachariasen as “Voice Three - Policeman and others,” John Small as “Voice Four - Rev. Peters and others,” Catherine Haverkampf as “Voice Five - Punk Girl and others,” Laurie Penney as “Voice Six - Mrs. Alexander and others.”
Additional Creative Team:
Co-Producers - Ava Enoch, Mike Lague, Angela Richardson; Stage Manager - Addison Antonoff; Assistant Stage Manager - Gabriel Diaz; Set Design / Chief of Set Construction - Allen Bantly; Co-Props - Anne Bantly, Amanda Albion; Costume Design - Shahn Knights; Costume Assistant - Liv Darling; Hair / Makeup Design - Jamie Cook; Fight/Intimacy Coordinator - Rachel Hall; Lighting Design - Susan Tucker; Sound Design - Michael Jay; Sound Tech - Matthew Tse; Publicity - Andrea Roessler.
Performances:
February 13, 2026 through February 28, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
All performances to be held at 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA. 01742
TICKETS:
Call # 978 369-2990 or visit https://concordplayers.org/
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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Please consult directly with venue for latest COVID-19 and any other health and safety protocols.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
Concord Players offers up an engrossing staging of "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME," a play that takes its audience into the mind of one of the most interesting characters ever seen on stage.
"CURIOUS INCIDENT..." is highly recommended for many reasons but as is always the case, the story is mainly what counts and this story is a veritable masterpiece of drama.
The two-act play is a 2012 adaptation by Simon Stephens of a 2003 mystery novel by British writer Mark Haddon.
(Photo: Finian Ross portrays “Christopher” in "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" by Simon Stephens based upon the play by Mark Haddon, presented by Concord Players in Concord, MA. now playing through February 28, 2026. Photo Credit: Chris Pollari)
"THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" is an impeccably constructed script that transcends theatre and effectively opens a window to another world.
The show has won multiple Olivier Awards, the 2015 Drama Desk Award and the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play.
The gripping saga is told in a visceral avant-garde manner, revolves around 15-year-old Christopher (Finian Ross) who is on the end of the spectrum formerly classified (in the original book) as "Asperger's Syndrome."
However, Christopher's condition might actually be defined as high functioning.
While never explicitly stated in the script, Christopher’s condition manifests itself as his having difficulties with social interaction, aversion to physical touch, a need for strict routines, and exceptional mathematical/logical skills.
Christopher is a mild savant, excelling at mathematics but, conversely, he struggles in all other aspects of human interaction, screaming whenever someone, even a close loved one, touches him.
As Concord Players' "CURIOUS INCIDENT..." begins, Christopher, who lives in Swindon, a working-class town west of London, comes across the murdered carcass of a neighbor’s dog.
Christopher is initially accused of murdering the dog, but the incident itself soon prompts him to attempt to exonerate himself by further investigating the “curious incident” alone.
(Photo: Finian Ross as “Christopher” with Michelle Mount as “Mrs. Shears" in a scene from "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" by Simon Stephens based upon the play by Mark Haddon, presented by Concord Players in Concord, MA. now playing through February 28, 2026. Photo Credit: Chris Pollari)
What Christopher soon discovers is that, by unraveling the mystery surrounding the dog's demise, his investigation also reveals a bigger mystery involving his parents, Ed (Nick Bennett-Zendzian) and Judy (Becky Ruccio).
By the end of the first act, and throughout most of the second, the play takes a turn as it moves itself into a long, gripping odyssey of self-discovery for Christopher.
Christopher overcomes multiple obstacles as he goes in search of answers to this new mystery in London.
The script adaptation by Stephens is as insightful as Jay's production is inventive.
The ensemble of performers in "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME," who are on stage for almost the entire length of the show, are 100 percent committed to executing the intricate staging by Jay.
Finian Ross gives a fully committed, sensitive, insightful portrayal as Christopher, playing to the full multi-dimension of the character and not just focusing on a singular aspect of that character's personality.
(Photo: Nick Bennett-Zendzian as “Ed” "drives" Finian Ross as “Christopher” in a scene from "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" by Simon Stephens based upon the play by Mark Haddon, presented by Concord Players in Concord, MA. now playing through February 28, 2026. Photo Credit: Chris Pollari)
Amelia Smith portrays Christopher's teacher and mentor, Siobhan, impressing while walking a very fine line between fantasy and reality at certain points as the script unexpectedly recognizes itself as a play.
We cannot actually pretend to know what it is actually like in Christopher's mind yet, through the combined use of ensemble on stage (playing multiple roles) and the phenomenal portrayal of Christopher by Ross, we come a little closer to understanding…hopefully.
Working in conjunction with carefully executed lighting and sound effects, the single set design for "CURIOUS INCIDENT..." represents a classroom but, thanks to its inventive construct, quickly transforms into various locations as the story progresses.
Both Nick Bennett-Zendzian and Becky Ruccio are superb in supporting performances as Christopher's parents, navigating through the deep waters of their own difficult relationship while never wavering on their mutual love for their son.
(Photo: Becky Ruccio as “Judy” observes Finian Ross as “Christopher” and "friend" in a scene from "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" by Simon Stephens based upon the play by Mark Haddon, presented by Concord Players in Concord, MA. now playing through February 28, 2026. Photo Credit: Chris Pollari)
The accents used by the cast are hit or miss (if attempted by some at all) and yet, overall, this is a relatively minor complaint given the level of excellence prevailing in the overall production.
Concord Players' "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME" continues in Concord, MA. until February 28th, 2026 and is a play so inspiring that it should be seen if only to remind other actors and creative teams of why they originally wanted to do theatre in the first place.
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Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.
He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers.
Now it is 7 minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork.
Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime.
But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world. (STAGEAGENT)
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ABOUT THE CONCORD PLAYERS
THE CONCORD PLAYERS are proud of their continuous record of presenting quality theatre to the citizens of Concord and the surrounding communities. Three major productions are mounted each season. In addition, one-acts, such as the annual entry into the Eastern Mass Assn of Community Theatres (EMACT) Spring Festival, are frequently presented. Workshops in acting, directing, and technical theatre are also offered to the membership. MISSION STATEMENTThe purpose of our organization is to produce and perform quality theatre for the citizens of Concord and the surrounding communities. We encourage the participation of people with an interest in technical theatre, as well as in performing.
51 Walden Street
Concord, MA. 01742
# 978-369-2990
