Review: Zoetic Stage's THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at Adrienne Arsht Center- Brilliant!

Zoetic Stage and the Adrienne Arsht Center's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time takes you emotionally hostage and doesn't let go until the last line is uttered. The play revolves around Christopher, a fifteen year old, who is exceptionally intelligent but not equipped to deal with everyday life. When he is accused of killing his neighbor's dog, he makes it his mission to find the true culprit, which leads him to a life altering discovery. The crushing moments of the play mixed with solitary moments of joy had the audience up on its feet before the curtain call. The impeccable writing, Simon Stephens' Tony Award-winning adaptation based on Mark Haddon's best-selling novel, was brought to life by masterful directing and acting.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is an example of when everything goes right in a production. It was beautiful in every way. Stuart Melzter's directing was brilliant. He is the Artistic Director and a founding member of Zoetic Stage. (Among many accolades, he has been honored with sixteen Carbonell nominations and is the recipient of four Silver Palm Awards for his work as the Resident Director of Zoetic Stage). His ability to create beautiful stage pictures and craft fluid movements within each character and scene was awe-inspiring. With much credit to the writing, the director and the cast, the production truly is an ensemble piece. Every character is working together seamlessly. There were moments where it felt so real as if we truly were inside of the mind of Christopher played by Ryan Didato. Ryan played the boy with such care and tenderness that the audience had no choice but to fall in love with Christopher.

The ingenious set and the cohesiveness of all the design aspects only furthered the clean and crisp storytelling. The play's creative team features scenic design by Michael McClain, lighting design by Rebecca Montero, costume design by Marina Pareja, sound design/original composition by Matt Corey, properties design by Natalie Taveras, choreography by Jeni Hacker, animation by Greg Duffy, projections by Steven Covey, dialect coaching by Rebecca Covey, and technical direction by B.J. Duncan. Amy Rauchwerger and Isabella Lisboa are the production's stage manager and assistant stage manager, respectively.

Zoetic Stage's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is breathtaking, eye-opening and will leave you changed. If you still haven't seen it, stop everything you are doing and make sure you get a ticket before it closes February 3, 2019.

Playing until February 3, 2019 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME continues Zoetic Stage's 2018-2019 season at the Arsht Center as part of the Center's Theater Up Close Series.

Tickets to THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME are $50 & $55*; and may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center Box Office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.

Photo credit belongs to Justin Namon.