Cady Huffman directed this production for the Weathervane with costumes by Rien Schlecht. The unusual set by Gibbs Murray, consisting of a bare stage with tall, movable, various colored panels, two compartments in at the back of the stage for actors to emerge and speak from, and stair-step structures at each end of the stage seemed deceptively simple, but worked perfectly for this presentation.
In a tremendously moving performance, Jorge Donoso portrayed Christopher John Francis Boone. The word isn't mentioned, but Christopher appears to be autistic, highly intelligent but unable to cope with everyday life, horrified of being touched, and distrustful of all but the few he's closest to. He's led an extremely sheltered life, but that all changes when shortly after midnight he discovers his neighbor's dog, dead with a garden fork through its body. At first he's suspected of the horrible deed, but it sends him on a quest to find the real killer, using his above-average analytical ability and ranging far from the comfort of his small world.
Shinnerrie Jackson is Siobhan, Christopher's teacher, advisor and most trusted confidant. Her commentary, sometimes speaking Christopher's words, sometimes narrating, moves the story along. Geoffrey Kidwell is Christopher's father and Marisa Kirby his mother. Six more actors played roles described only as Voices One through Six. The entire cast spoke in convincing British accents, honoring the play's British origins.
The story is less about the dog and more about Christopher's journey of discovery, learning about his world and himself. This was my first trip to the Weathervane Theatre in five years, and I'll remember this play as a highlight of the 2019 summer theater season.
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