After two years without a summer season, West Virginia Public Theatre is making a comeback with the play, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” from June 10-12, followed by the musical “I Do! I Do!” June 24-26.
Both shows explore the challenges and rewards of family life and will be performed at the Gladys Davis Theatre at the Canady Creative Arts Center.
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” has been critically praised for its moving portrayal of 15-year-old Christopher as he rises to meet new challenges when his world is upended. At seven minutes after midnight, he stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, and vows to solve the mystery of who murdered the dog after being accused of it himself.
Christopher is a young protagonist on the autism spectrum. Social interactions and physical touch can overwhelm him, but he is a gifted mathematician and writer. We learn about his story through written journal entries, which are read to the audience by his teacher.
“The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time” centers on family.
In 2016, it won five of the six Tony Awards for which it was nominated, among numerous other awards from associations such as Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.
“I Do! I Do!” is a classic musical, with lyrics and book by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, that follows one couple from their wedding day through 50 years of love, quarrels and marriage. Its score contains many entertaining numbers, including “My Cup Runneth Over with Love.”
The original Broadway production received seven Tony Award nominations in 1967, with actor Robert Preston winning the award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical. The musical focuses on romance, commitment, traditional gender roles and raising a family.
“We overcame an incredible number of obstacles to get to our summer season but are thrilled to be presenting two shows that use the full arsenal of theatrical artistic elements to tell important, entertaining and thought-provoking stories,” WVPT Artistic Director Jerry McGonigle said, “Both shows are riveting, fun entertainment. They are definitely worth carving out time to see, even if your schedule is busy.”
The shows feature actors, designers and choreographers from all over the country, including Los Angeles, New York City and Pittsburgh.
Leading these productions as the directors this season are McGonigle (“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”) and Lee Blair (“I Do! I Do!”).
Both shows have tickets available on the website Eventbrite. For links to tickets and more information on all things happening at West Virginia Public Theatre, visit wvpublictheatre.org.
