The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

It's so refreshing to see inventive new theater pieces on Broadway. We have a bad habit of seeing only musicals (my fault, my profession) We took Jaime to see it since If/Then was SUCH a bust. It's based on a novel (I have read the first page and it's pretty much identical to what was put on the stage so I will be wanting to read it) A young man with Autism starts the show holding a dog that has been killed with a "garden fork" sticking straight up, much like this photo. Very shocking way to start a play. The play is all about how he interacts with people around him and his attempt to solve the mystery of who killed the dog Wellington. 

The play uses video screens and projections (such a trend right now) to show how bright lights or loud noises affect Christopher. Everyone in the cast was superb. The lighting designer will get nominated for a tony for sure! This play was AMAZING! When Christopher was going door to door, the lighting was etched out on the floor to show where each house's plot started and where it also ended. 

 After seeing the play, I felt like it was a way to see into the eyes of someone who is autistic. Granted, I'll never know for sure what it's like, but even the simplest things like getting a hug or changing your clothes were labored.

 I bought tickets the day before for the 3rd to last row in the mezzanine. While we could've sat closer, the show was somewhat big so sitting that far back was fine. We definitely thought that sitting under the mezzanine would have been a bad idea.

If/ Then

God this was AWFUL! I don't think I've ever spent more time during a show looking at the playbill to see how far the end was. This was a rare time where the second act was better than the first....and part of that could have been because it was shorter. Aaron and myself took Jaime and at intermission we were RAGGING on the show. Pretty much, Idina Menzel's character makes choices and has fate HAPPEN to her, and depending on which direction she goes, not only determines how HER life is changed but also the lives of others. In one story line, her friend was bi sexual. In the second life story, he was gay....so her choices affect his sexuality?! Makes no sense. 

 Nothing about the story was compelling to me. I can't even believe that people LIKE this show?! Anthony Rapp was SO fucking annoying. I hated the music, the lyrics....what did I like about it?! The set....the mirrored ceiling which I assume was supposed to be a metaphor for Liz/Beth's life choices. In one life, she had a great job, but no love life, while in the other life, she had an amazing love with children but didn't have work. How stupid that she can't have both!

 We had great seats (row G house left) and for once I didn't give a shit if we were sitting super close or far away. I honestly wanted it to be over. I didn't feel love connections between people on stage, and the story line dipped in places and took turns that were more than just a little off track....they derailed. Aaron did say that the 11 o'clock number was worth it to see the show, but I'm less forgiving. The show should be good all the way through.