Hickory – Two local actors, well known to local audiences, are on stage together again in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, opening Friday, March 29 at the Hickory Community Theatre. This Tony Award-winning play follows the story of young Christopher Boone, who has taken it upon himself to solve the murder of his neighbor’s dog. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, Ed, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world. Christopher’s faith in his father is challenged and along the way he meets Judy, who plays a significant role in his life going forward. In the HCT production the roles of Ed and Judy are played by local actors Christopher Honsaker and Elisabeth Bokhoven. They were last on stage together in 2016, playing the reluctant lovers, Anthony and Rosemary, in Outside Mullingar.

Honsaker, received a Kay Award on his first outing at the Theatre, with a Best Actor award for playing Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple in 2007. He has gone on to win two more, as the adult Ralph in A Christmas Story and one for Anthony in Outside Mullingar. The latter production was also honored with a Best Ensemble Award to the entire cast. Honsaker has been an actor for many years appearing in both comedies and dramas as well as musicals. He studied in New York with the late Sylvia Leigh who also trained Elisabeth Shue, Lori Loughlin and John Leguizamo among others. He also studied at the NC School of the Arts.

Bokhoven, whose other roles at HCT include Rose in The Flick and Officer Randy Osteen in Superior Donuts, was last seen on stage in the Firemen’s Kitchen with her hilarious portrayal of the title dog in Sylvia. A native of the Netherlands, Bokhoven relocated to Hickory when her parents moved here in the early 1990’s. Her first role at HCT was Roo in the 1996 production of The House at Pooh Corner. She has a B.A. in Acting from Greensboro College and an MFA in Acting from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Performances of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time are March 29 through April 17, 2019, Fridays and Saturdays (Mar 29, 30, Apr 5, 6, 12 & 13) at 8:00pm, Thursdays (Apr 4 & 11) at 7:30pm and Sundays (Apr 7 & 14) at 2:30pm. Tickets for Fridays through Sundays are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors (60 and over), and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets for Thursday night performances are $14 for adults and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Call the box office at 828-328-2283 or visit hickorytheatre.org to purchase tickets or get more information. This production is rated R because it contains strong, adult language.

HCT is a Funded Affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. The Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive and A Cleaner World. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is produced by Cargo Transporters and Hickory Allergy, Asthma & Sinus.

PHOTO: Elisabeth Bokhoven and Christopher Honsaker play Judy and Ed in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, opening Friday, March 29 at HCT. Photo by Carol Anne Hartman.