Photo Flash: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME At Selma Arts Center

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME makes its Central Valley premiere tonight at the Selma Arts Center with performances running from February 15-23.

Directed by SAC guest artist and Fresno State Professor Ruth Griffin, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old with an extraordinary brain who is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. Christopher has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. When he discovers that his neighbor's dog, Wellington, has been speared with a garden fork and killed, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world.

The play, based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens, was presented at SAC last year as a staged reading in collaboration with Open Book Productions. "We are excited that we get to tell this story in a fuller, livelier capacity and with such an incredible group of artists," says producer and SAC Coordinator Nicolette Andersen, "It's a very thought-provoking play and one that is sure to stay with you even days after experiencing it."

Tonight's opening marks the season opener for SAC and features some of the area's finest actors including Chris Mangels and Terry Lewis, who share the role of Ed, Christopher's father. Lewis will play the role for the first weekend of performances, and Mangels closes the run in the second weekend. The production also features Jared Serpa, Diane Fidalgo, Julie Lucido, Juan Luis Guzman, Camille Gaston, Laramie Woolsey, Bryan Beckstrand, Michael C. Flores, Nwachukwu Oputa, Ben Applegate, and Jessica Meredith.

Winner of five Tony's in 2013, including Best Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is an explosive mix of energy, technology, and movement. Of the latter, Director Ruth Griffin writes, "After seeing the play for the first time it was the movement used in the storytelling that thrilled me. I have always been interested in the cross section of dance and theatre and what I call "imaginal realism" in theatre, where the body and its interaction with other bodies in the space is subtext." Griffin goes on to add that many of the technological elements will be presented through the use of digital projections created by Central Valley native, Dominic Grijalva.

Tickets are available by calling 559.891.2238, by visiting selmaartscenter.com or at the Selma Arts Center box office located at 1935 High Street, Selma, CA 93662. Box office hours are Tuesday-Friday, 1PM-5PM. Tickets will also be available at the door for the same price until sold out.

Jared Serpa

L to R: Ben Applegate, Michael C Flores, Terry Lewis, Nwachukwu Oputa, and Juan Luis Guzm n

Diane Fidalgo

Jared Serpa and Julie Lucido

Jared Serpa, Jessica Meredith, Nwachukwu Oputa, and Michael C Flores

Juan Luis Guzm n, and Jared Serpa

Jared Serpa and cast

Julie Lucido and Jared Serpa

Camille Gaston and Jared Serpa

Jared Serpa