Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Nighttime Tour?

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 9:07am

Never read the book or seen the play in NYC, but it does seem interesting. Any word on how good the tour is? 

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 9:20am

The reviews have been mostly very good, except in Providence where the critic didn't like it at all.

[BroadwayBeebe]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 9:58am

I saw the tour when it came through Hartford having missed it when it was playing here in the city. I thought it was a really great production and worth catching. 

[amaklo]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 10:27am

I saw the tour in PIttsburgh, and agree it's worth seeing.  My only complaint was it was in cavernous Heinz Hall, which is a beautiful theater, but it was too big for this show. If you'll be seeing the show in a large theater, try to get seats closer to the stage.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 10:49am

I can't speak for the tour, but I saw it twice on Broadway with the original lead (Alex Sharp) and it was the most affecting straight play (non-musical) I've ever seen. He was absolutely brilliant and the staging was phenomenal.

If the touring production utilizes the same set concept (essentially a giant cube with lighting effects and projections on the floor, walls, and ceiling of the interior), I urge you to consider sitting near the front of the mezzanine. There is a harrowing scene in the second act which depicts a London Tube station with action taking place down on the tracks, an effect achieved by opening a rectangular section of the floor that extends from one side of the stage to the other. The lead character must jump down from the train platform (stage floor) onto the tracks (below the stage), and the view of this is very effective when looking down at the stage (e.g., from mezzanine). I saw the show both times from this vantage point and had to wonder if the folks in the orchestra missed out on a lot because they could not see down into the train track opening.

 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 11:01am

We were urged to get mezz tix in NY and I was happy for the advice. Not only for the subway scene but for the lighted designs on the deck of the stage. 

Looking forward to seeing it on tour in SF. 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 11:06am

I thought the tour was extraordinary.  Don't miss it.  

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 11:07am

MarkBearSF said: "Not only for the subway scene but for the lighted designs on the deck of the stage."

Yes, that too! There is some clever floor lighting (or projection, wasn't sure exactly how it was done) that is used to delineate the neighborhood houses, public buildings, etc., and if you can't see the stage floor surface from your seat you won't see any of that.

 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 1:33pm

So for those familiar Id be seeing it at the Boston Opera House which is a pretty large theatre. Id go for front mezz seats but most are near the side. Its selling really well here. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 1:36pm

I saw it in NYC with Alex Sharp's replacement (who gave a Tony worthy performance) and again saw it in Tampa in a barn of a theatre (the Straz), but I was fortunate to be in the second row orchestra.  I thought it was again an excellent production, despite being on a much larger stage, and that the new-to-me lead was also outstanding.  It remains a great production of a good play.  I have to admit that I am concerned how any drama would fare, seen from the third balcony, which a lot of these road theaters seem to have, or the 31st row of the orchestra.  Clearly, the intimacy of the Barrymore will be lost, which is a real negative.

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 1:42pm

We saw the tour in Chicago (having seen the production in London more than once at the Apollo and the Gielgud).

There are some limitations on the tour - the floor does not open for the Subway - and even the opening moments are slightly revised.  I don't recall seeing Toby the Rat at the Chicago show.  Spoken of, sure.  But the basic cube and the lighting effects are there.  And there is another Act Two set staging moment that is missing - which was disappointing. But, then if you hadn't seen it before, you would not know what was missing!

And, those differences do not detract from one of the most imaginatively staged shows I've ever seen.  The acting was impeccable.  I think the tour Siobhan was the best of the three I've seen.  I highly recommend seeing it.  And - yes, front mezzanine is probably the way to go.  Don't sit too close to the stage or you will miss some of the lighting effects.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 1:47pm

Only issue with front of the mezzanine is what theatre.  The Barrymore was great.  At the Straz in Tampa, you wouldn't be able to remotely see the faces from the front row of the first (of three) tiers.  If you can get a decent seat in the orchestra, I would go with it unless the theatre has a mezzanine that is reasonably close to the stage.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 2:07pm

ggersten said: "There are some limitations on the tour - the floor does not open for the Subway...I don't recall seeing Toby the Rat at the Chicago show...And there is another Act Two set staging moment that is missing - which was disappointing."

I'd have been gutted! If the floor doesn't open, how do they enact that scene, or has that entire segment been cut from the show?

And another act 2 segment was cut? I'm trying to guess what you're referring to...

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The stairs that come down from the back wall, or the puppy at the very end?

But back to the OP's question, optimal seating will be somewhat dependent on the design of your venue. The Barrymore is a relatively small theatre with just over 1,000 seats and there's not much curve at the side seats, so most mezz seating is a comfortable distance from the stage. If your house is significantly larger and/or the side seats tend to curve around, your sightlines might not be as good.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 2:10pm

The stairs don't come out.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 3:33pm

I saw the show on Broadway and on tour in Chicago.  The staging is nearly identical and you're not missing anything substantial or relevant in seeing only the tour.  I think my one disappointment was in the lead.  To me, Adam Langdon just seemed more forced and affected than Taylor Trensch on Broadway and perhaps it only detracted my enjoyment due to having seen such an excellent performance previously.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

It didn't help that he mislaid some trees and the train got stuck and fell over halfway through its journey.

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 3:39pm

Lot666 said: "ggersten said: "There are some limitations on the tour - the floor does not open for the Subway...I don't recall seeing Toby the Rat at the Chicago show...And there is another Act Two set staging moment that is missing - which was disappointing."

I'd have been gutted! If the floor doesn't open, how do they enact that scene, or has that entire segment been cut from the show?

And another act 2 segment was cut? I'm trying to guess what you're referring to...

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The stairs that come down from the back wall, or the puppy at the very end?

 

"

Nothing was cut.  Christopher steps forward and is dragged back - it's use your imagination. And it is the first part of your spoiler that is missing.  Which was a shame - because it was so "wow" the first time I saw it.  But, again, if you didn't know it was missing, you wouldn't miss it.  The show remains amazing - it's just missing that extra "wow" moment.

[Will3700]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 3:54pm

I saw in it Dallas at the Winspear Opera House which is a large venue but have first row season tickets so that wasn't a problem for me.The show was extraordinary and the cast was superb and we had the understudy for the lead and he couldnt have been any better. I had not seen it on Broadway so was very excited it toured I highly recommend it 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 3:55pm

I actually had totally forgotten that wow moment until my husband pointed it out after the show.  In context of the overall production, that moment didn't register as highly with me, I guess.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:00pm

Is the post-curtain call "easter egg" included in the touring production? If so, that's something you'll want to stick around for if you haven't seen the show before.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:03pm

^ it is

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:09pm

Call_me_jorge said: "^ it is"

The first time I saw the show it was very early in its run and no one seemed to know about the easter egg. I have a tendency to hang for a bit when shows end to avoid the stampede, and it was funny seeing this take everyone by surprise. People who were already in the hallways were turning around and trying to get back into the auditorium to see what was going on. When I saw it again several months later, word had gotten out and they had started putting out the random seat overlays.

 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:54pm

Cant wait to see this. I posted this thread because I did read the Providence reviews and they worried me. But being a Psych major, I feel like this show will be fascinating. Booking my tickets tonight! 

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:58pm

Just to put this out there: here is the change in the opening in Chicago - no doubt the result of the lack of a trap or elevator.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

In Chicago, the stage was lit as we went to our seats.  Wellington, the dog was midstage with the trident fork stuck in him.  So, everyone could see it.  When we saw the show in London, the stage was empty. The lights go out for a very brief moment. The spotlight comes on and Wellington is laying there with the trident fork stuck in him.  Stage magic!  Christopher then enters.  At the end of the scene, the lights go out and when they come back up a brief moment later, Wellington s gone.  More magic! Except in Chicago, someone had to pick up the dead dog and carry it offstage.  

Again, the difference really doesn't affect the emotional heft of the story.

 

As for the post curtain call bit - it's not really an Easter Egg, since Christopher invites everyone to stay.  In London, the wait was several minutes which did lead to people leaving.  I had an usher assure me that there was more to come and to just be patient.  In Chicago, there was only a very very brief interlude between the curtain call and Christopher explaining his answers.  Barely enough time for anyone to leave.

Updated On: 2/13/17 at 05:58 PM

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 6:58pm

Were the prime number seats specially noted?
(I just realized my seat number is 101)

Updated On: 2/13/17 at 06:58 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/17 at 9:05pm

ggersten said: "Just to put this out there: here is the change in the opening in Chicago"

That's unfortunate, because the original effect was very startling and really got your attention. It was a great way to start the show. 

ggersten said: "As for the post curtain call bit - it's not really an Easter Egg, since Christopher invites everyone to stay."

Not so when I saw it in NY. It was a complete surprise and a lot of people missed it because they left.