A Tony-Winning Mystery Opens in a Buckingham Barn |
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time runs Oct. 30 through Nov. 14 at Town & Country Players |
Halloween weekend around Doylestown usually means costumes, candy and a party or two.
This year it also means opening night in a barn up York Road.
Town & Country Players opens The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Friday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m.
It's the 90-minute version of Simon Stephens' Tony-winning play, adapted from Mark Haddon's best-selling novel.
The story follows Christopher, a teenager who is brilliant with numbers and overwhelmed by the noise and confusion of everyday life.
When he finds a neighbor's dog dead in her yard, he decides to solve the mystery himself.
What he uncovers along the way has much less to do with the dog than with his own family.
It's funny, tender and surprising, and it gives an audience a rare look at the world through someone else's eyes.
Susan Galli directs the production.
The show runs about 90 minutes, with a short intermission.
The company recommends it for teens 14 and up and adults, because of some mild adult themes.
Opening weekend has three performances.
Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, are at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1, is a 2 p.m. matinee.
That Sunday matinee is worth a look, since clocks fall back that morning and it will be dark well before dinner.
The run continues on Friday and Saturday evenings, Nov. 6 and 7 and Nov. 13 and 14, at 8 p.m.
There are also 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 14.
Tickets are sold online through the theater's website, by credit card, and you can pick your seats when you order.
The box office opens an hour before each show and takes cash, checks, cards and gift certificates.
Students can buy $10 tickets in person an hour before curtain with a valid student ID, while seats last, two per student.
Groups of 10 or more save 15 percent by booking through the box office in advance.
Accessible seating is limited, so call the box office at 215-348-7566 ahead of time if you need it.
Town and Country Players makes its home in the barn at 4158 York Road in Buckingham, a short drive from downtown Doylestown.
It's the kind of up-close seat that a big city theater just can't give you.
If Halloween parties aren't your thing, or you'd simply like a grown-up night out over the holiday weekend, this is a good one.
And if you've read the book, it's a treat to see how the stage version brings Christopher's mind to life. |
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The pick your own seats option online is a nice touch. Hate showing up and not knowing where you are going to end up.
Community theater in Bucks County is really strong. Town and Country is one of the best around.
Been meaning to support Town and Country for a while and keep forgetting. This is my reminder to finally go.
They really do give you a seat that lets you see every expression on the actors faces. Big theater just cannot match that.
Nov 14 has both a matinee and an evening show. Good to double check which one you are booking before you hit confirm.
My book club read this a while back and we all loved it. Now I need to find people to go with me.
Short drive from downtown Doylestown is an understatement. It is maybe 10 minutes. Easy night out.
Honestly did not know this theater was even out there until a friend dragged me last spring. Now I go every season. Worth the drive from anywhere in the county.
Cash and checks at the box office is very old school but I kind of love that about community theater.
Saw this production in Philly a few years back and it was outstanding. Really curious to see what T and C does with it in that space.
Christopher is such an unforgettable character. Anyone who has read the book knows exactly why this story matters.
Never heard of this play before but the description has me curious. A teenager solving a neighborhood mystery and it ends up being about his family? That sounds really good.
90 minutes with a short intermission is the perfect length for a play. No one is checking their watch.
Halloween on a Friday this year and they open on that exact night. Good timing on their part.
Good to know the box office takes checks. Not everywhere does that anymore.
Glad they mentioned the accessible seating thing upfront. A lot of smaller theaters forget to say anything about it.
The novel made me cry on a train and I was embarrassed the whole ride. Expecting the stage version to do the same thing in public.
Halloween at 8pm in a barn. I mean that is basically already a haunted house. Great timing.
That group discount is worth knowing about. 15 percent adds up if you bring enough people.
That drive up York Road in the fall is half the fun honestly.
Saw this done by a bigger company in Philly a few years back. Curious how a smaller cast handles it. The staging can get pretty intense.
Accessible seating being limited is a real issue. Hope they find a way to expand that at some point. The barn is wonderful but it has some limitations.
I cried reading the book. If the stage version is half as good I'll need tissues.
The group discount for 10 or more is worth knowing. Thinking about organizing something with our neighbors.
I keep meaning to check this place out and keep forgetting. Putting it on the calendar this time for real.
I take my book club every season. This one is going on the list for sure.
Booked two seats for the Nov. 8 matinee. Easy process online and you can actually pick where you sit, which I appreciate.
The story sounds really touching. Not your typical Halloween weekend fare but honestly that sounds kind of nice.
Does anyone know how far in advance those student tickets sell out? Thinking about bringing a few kids from our school group.
Never heard of this play before but the storyline sounds really moving. A kid solving a mystery and uncovering family secrets is a great setup.
Went last year for the first time and was blown away by how intimate it feels. Big city theater really can't compare.
14 and up recommendation is helpful to know ahead of time. Good that they are upfront about it.
Been going to shows in that barn since the 90s. There is not a bad seat in the house. Truly up close.
My daughter read this book for school last year and loved it. Might be a good one to bring her to.
The Sunday matinee tip is smart. Extra hour of sleep plus a show before it gets dark at 4pm sounds like a perfect day.
Susan Galli is a fantastic director. Saw her work a couple seasons back and she really knows how to use that small stage.
Opening on Halloween itself is a bold move. Hope the costume crowd doesn't wander in off York Road by mistake.
The $10 student tickets are a great deal. Wish more theaters did that.
Read the book years ago and always wondered how they pull it off on stage. Guess I know what I'm doing Halloween night.
Town and Country Players is such a gem. That barn on York Road is one of my favorite places to spend a Friday night.
90 minutes with a short intermission is honestly the perfect length for a play. You're home by 10.
I've passed that barn on York Road a hundred times and never stopped. Maybe this is finally the reason to go in.
My daughter read this book in school. Thinking of taking her to the November run.
The Sunday matinee tip is smart. Dark by 4:30 that day anyway, might as well be inside watching something good.
That barn on York Road is such a cool venue. The stage is practically in your lap.
Susan Galli is a great director. Anything she's involved with is worth your time.
Opening night on Halloween is such a fun idea. Costumes optional I hope.
That $10 student ticket deal is really generous. Wish more theaters around here did that.
Read the book years ago and always wondered how they pull it off on stage. Guess I'll find out in November.
Town and Country Players never disappoints. Saw their last show and already planning to go back for this one.