Minnesota parent of autistic child played a part in Tony-winning 'Curious Incident'

To prepare for her role as a special education teacher in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," actress Maria Elena Ramirez spent hours reading, watching lesson plans on YouTube and chatting with a friend in the Twin Cities who is the parent of an autistic child.

But it wasn't until cast members visited an autism services center that she understood her character in the touring production of the Tony-winning play, which is visiting the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis this week.

"When I met that teacher, I immediately was like, 'Oh, this is who Siobhan is,' " Ramirez said. "The way she interacted with [the students] was with such respect. ... She was always matter-of-fact in her responses, but also so full of encouragement."

Christopher Boone, the 15-year-old protagonist in "Curious Incident," is never actually described as autistic, or being "on the spectrum," but he clearly goes to a special school where his teacher Siobhan tutors him in life skills as well as mathematics. His estranged mother and father, meanwhile, appear poorly positioned to parent any child, much less one with disabilities.

Both the play and the 2003 bestselling novel it's based on have been praised for their convincing depiction of a teenager with an autism spectrum disorder. Christopher's aversion to stressors like crowds, loud noises and glaring lights are depicted through creative choreography, subwoofers and strobe lights.

The character of Siobhan is just as well-drawn.

"I was struck by the accepting way she could experience all the angst of all these story lines and help [Christopher] pull all these pieces together, without judgment," said Pat Pulice, director of the Fraser Autism Center of Excellence, Minnesota largest provider of autism services. "The sensory experience the play provides captures the experience of students with autism and people who are working with them deal with on a daily basis: trying to organize life, trying to get through daily routines, trying to interpret things."

"The most important part for me in doing this role is to make sure that Siobhan never talks down to him, and to always approach the role unsentimentally," Ramirez said. "Certainly she's a good force in his life, but I didn't want it to seem like she's his savior."

Ironically, the same technical effects that make "A Curious Incident" so powerful for neurotypical audiences make viewing the play a challenge for autistic patrons. That's OK with Jennifer LeGrand Reiter, a Maple Grove resident with an autistic 10-year-old who is encouraging parents, siblings and teachers from the autistic community to see the show. (Educators and students are eligible for $25 rush tickets.)

Reiter had a chance to see "Curious Incident" in New York, but passed because she wanted to see her friend Ramirez star as Siobhan. "The same heart that this teacher has is the same heart that Maria has," Reiter said.

Reiter and Ramirez met in 2001, when Reiter was working in administration at the Guthrie Theater and Ramirez came to town to star in "Blood Wedding." They've kept up a steady flow of Facebook messages since Ramirez learned she'd been cast as a special education teacher.

"I have to be absolutely vigilant about who's going to be in my child's life when I can't be there," Reiter said. She considers their family blessed. "I've met so many incredible, strong educators who see the magic and potential in these students."

"I'm wary and critical" of most depictions of autism in popular culture, Fleury says. She applauds the play for depicting a teacher who is trying her best to understand the student's home life. "In the real world, there needs to be a true collaboration," Fleury said. "But some families just aren't able to commit, or aren't interested."

The university's master's degree program includes coursework in family dynamics, and home visits from teachers are now considered a best practice when developing IEPs, Fleury added. In the play, Siobhan probes gingerly when asking Christopher about his home life, carefully phrasing questions so she doesn't seem to be judging his obviously inadequate parents, who haven't taught him how to take public transit and are skeptical of his academic skills.

Scenarios like this remind Fleury that not all aspiring teachers are actually cut out for stepping into Siobhan's shoes.

"It's a really tough job," she said. "You have to love it."