What I saw: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Nighttime," at the Barrymore Theater on 47th between 8th Avenue
and Broadway
What I wore: rust corduroys (with stretch!) and
Chinese-made Australian boots
What I did beforehand: ate remarkably mediocre
Thai food
Who went with me: R., a twenty-something friend
How I got tickets: online, full price
Why I saw this show: my cousin L. suggested it
on FB
Where I sat: in a prime number seat, third row
orchestra
Things that were sad: graphic depictions of the
struggles of a young man in the autism spectrum, with a side serving of family
dysfunction
Things that were funny: the main character has
the blunt charm sometimes found in the personalities of high-functioning people
in the autism spectrum
Things that were not funny: Why oh why do we
only get books and plays and movies about disabled people if they have nearly
inhuman superpowers? Dear Readers, not every high-functioning, neuro-atypical
person in the autism spectrum is a math whiz!
What it is: a Tony-award-winning play, adapted
with care and accuracy from the young adult novel of the same name. Probably
the most intricate production I have seen since I started the “What I Saw”
blogs.
Who should see it: parents of frustrating
children, teens who appreciate an outsider-narrator, fans of pet rats, math
nerds (stay past curtain call), anyone who saw “but I cd only whisper” earlier
in the week for a two-part spectacle of low-budget vs. high-budget theatrical
depictions of perceptual storm on the part of a main character (and then let’s get
coffee to discuss)
What I saw on the way home: cold, sizzling rain on
the pavement and distant lightning illuminating the sky of Hell’s Kitchen
I saw it a few months ago. I found the odd stage a little disconcerting at first but it increased in value as the show went on.
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