Florida Studio Theatre Announces Extension of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

Due to audience demand, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces that the five-time Tony Award winner The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has now been extended through March 24 in FST's Gompertz Theatre. Called "Remarkable" and "Ingenious" by The Guardian, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time follows Christopher Boone, a brilliant teenager who sees the world in ways that most of us can only imagine. Tickets prices range from $29-59 and can be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org or by phone at (941) 366-9000.

Written by Simon Stephens and adapted from Mark Haddon's bestselling novel, Curious Incident is a murder mystery, coming of age story, and a family drama all mixed into one. Christopher's adventure begins when he finds Wellington, a neighbor's dog, speared by a pitchfork in the backyard. As he begins to investigate who killed Wellington, Christopher encounters new people and unearths secrets that take him on a journey out of his safe, familiar surroundings and into the scary outside world.

A runaway hit on London's West End and Broadway, Curious Incident won five Tony Awards, including Best Play, and six Drama Desk Awards in 2015. Called "A beautiful, eloquent, dazzlingly inventive show about the wonders of life" by The Evening Standard, Curious Incident places audiences in Christopher's shoes by using heightened technical elements, inventive physical movement, and theatrical storytelling. These artistic choices give "Audiences a taste of what Christopher's beautiful world is like in all its conflict, intensity, and serenity," shared Richard Hopkins, FST's Producing Artistic Director and Director of Curious Incident. "And if they do that, I think they will appreciate their own world even more."

Curious Incident presents audiences with a collage of significant moments in Christopher's life and follows a non-linear time structure, sweeping audiences up in his story along the way. "[Christopher] goes on this really dangerous journey for himself and he's different than other people. But a lot of us feeling different that others," Hopkins told Sarasota Herald-Tribune. "We identify with that journey and he's successful at it, so it becomes the hero's journey."

The actor charged with playing Christopher is Alexander Stuart, who values his character for his honesty. "It's refreshing to have a character that does not beat around the bush, and while that may make other characters, or even certain audiences, uncomfortable at times, Christopher's journey teaches us that we can be honest about what we think and what we feel, and that can get us absolutely anywhere," explained Stuart. "He never loses sight of who he is or what he wants, and his success comes as a direct result."

Bringing this imaginative production to life is an ensemble cast of 10 actors, including Michael J. Berry, Brooke Benson, Ann Gundersheimer, Ashton Heyl, Todd Licea, Sam Mossler, Rachel Moulton, Liz Power, Alexander Stuart, and Alex Teicheira,

The Curious incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will now run in FST's Gompertz Theatre through March 24. Single tickets for both productions may be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org, or at (941) 366-9000.

Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Artist Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman's Club building - now renamed the Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting contemporary theatre in its five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret, the John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. Under Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

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