SF Playhouse Presents the Imaginative Play “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
By Darlene Jurow
San Francisco Playhouse is currently staging the Olivier Award and Tony Award winning “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” through June 21, 2025 at San Francisco Playhouse (450 Post Street). This most creative and dynamic story is most remarkable in imagining the world of a fifteen-year-old mathematics genius who happens to be autistic.
Upon the discovery of the death of his neighbor’s dog, Christopher launches his own investigation, sending him on a thrilling journey that ultimately upturns his rigid world and challenges his routines to the limit.
Brendan Looney, making his SF Playhouse debut as Christopher, is most convincing in his star-making performance. Being autistic himself, he really knocks it out of the park with a truly brilliant performance.
Liz Sklar and Mark P. Robinson play Christopher’s parents, who play an emotional tug of war with their son, further complicating his standard routines and throws him into chaos. Christopher’s mother, Judy, has trouble handling him, while his father, Ed, lies to him. To top it off, Christopher has an obsession with passing a high-level math test that is thrown into jeopardy.
Sophia Alawi plays Siobhan, Christopher’s teacher and mentor who assists in the writing of his book, which becomes the actual stage play the audience is witnessing.
Cassidy Brown, Laura Domingo, Whit K. Lee, Catherine Luedtke, Renee Rogoff, and Wiley Naman Strasser round out the ensemble, playing a variety of roles.
The second act has a thrilling adventure via train and tube as Christopher tries to find his mother’s London flat. Looney’s performance is truly wonderful, as the audience is absorbed with him. and you can’t take your eyes off him.
Not to be overlooked, director Susi Damilano and scenic designer and husband Bill English create Christopher’s worldview through a large graphics screen displaying mathematics equations, the rainy countryside of rural England, and the hustle bustle of the outside world Christopher has ever witnessed. Kudos also go out to lighting deigner Christian Mejia, costume designer Alice Ruiz, etc.
The technical aspects of the play are considerable, with a futuristic set design that creates a rather artistic effect, all in the service of creating atmospheric images in the context of the changing scenes.
This is a moving story that is portrayed by a most talented cast of actors. If you want to experience this experimental theatrical portrayal of a boy investigating the world then you will definitely want to engage yourself in this production.
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” continues through June 21. For tickets ($35-$135) and more information, the public may visit sfplayhouse.org or call the box office at 415-677-9596.
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Photo caption: An imaginative and sensory mystery is investigated in San Francisco Playhouse's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," currently performing through June 21. (Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli)