Now playing on the Lake City High stage

COEUR d’ALENE — Life isn't the same for Christopher Boone as it is for everyone else.

He loves math and science. He knows trains and rockets. He hates the color yellow.

But he struggles with emotions and relating to other people.

"There are a lot of people in the world who see one day completely different,” Lake City High School senior Emma Rose Wagner said Monday. "Being able to see the world as Christopher sees it is honestly beautiful and complex, and I think it's the complexity that makes it beautiful."

In the LCHS Troupe de Wolfe production of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Emma Rose plays Siobhan (pronounced Sho-von), the narrator and the paraprofessional who works with protagonist Christopher, played by junior Jeff Parsons.

Christopher is a brilliant teenager with social and emotional challenges that are only exacerbated by what transpires in his story. He is accused of killing a neighbor's dog and becomes determined to put the pieces together, the way a brilliantly mathematic mind would be prone to do.

"It’s the story of a kid who has been through a lot, and I’m just trying my best to tell it,” Jeff said. "It’s a hard thing to portray that. Me, personally, I have siblings that do have autism, so it’s a little easier to connect like that, but it’s hard to do that without doing too much."

It's a riveting tale with revelations that take audience members on an emotional roller coaster as they get to know Christopher.

"People will feel deeply," said theater instructor and show director Sandy Seaton. "They’ll laugh and they’ll cry. At first they won’t know how to handle it. Then you get in Christopher’s world and once you’re there, you're right there fighting with him."

Senior Sam Selby, who plays Christopher's dad, Ed Boone, and is the technical and lighting director, said this show is all about perspective.

"It’s more just parents struggling with connecting with their kids," he said. "I see that a lot. This show brings forth that light that kids require a lot of attention. You need to love them no matter who they are or what they do. They’re your child. You have to treat them with respect and with love."

The show is based on a 2003 mystery novel by British writer Mark Haddon. The LCHS production uses innovative ways of reflecting what is going on inside the mind of someone who has trouble communicating what he's feeling.

"I really want people to come and witness the artistry we've put into this and see Jeff as Christopher," Emma Rose said. "He does a perfect job. It’s a beautiful production."

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" is now playing on the LCHS stage. Shows are at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday and March 12, 13 and 14. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $6 for LCHS ASB cardholders. For tickets and information, email Seaton at sseaton@cdaschools.org or call 208-769-0769 x 44061.