By Khalida Sarwari
In 2011, Broadway presented an autism-friendly performance of Disney’s “The Lion King,” the first performance of its kind staged in New York’s famous theater district. Four years prior to that, AMC Theaters started offering a film experience tailored to people living with autism.
So if it was good for AMC and Broadway, Anita Carey figured it’s good enough for the South Bay. Thus, the idea to bring theater to the region that could be accessible to children with autism or other sensory sensitivities was born.
The inspiration behind Carey’s decision was her 11-year-old low-functioning autistic son, “Mouse.” She said when she takes Mouse to a live performance, he does everything but sit still.
“He flaps and screeches and talks and walks and stands up and down in his seat and sings along with every song, all of which is not allowed in regular performances,” Carey said.
Next month, Mouse will be able to get away with all of that at a special performance of West Valley Light Opera’s production of “Oklahoma.” As the vocal director for the show, Carey is coordinating the special sensory-friendly open rehearsal on Nov. 15 to give special needs children and their families and caregivers an opportunity to attend a quality live musical theater experience together.
This isn’t the first time that such a show is being produced in the area. Two years ago, the South Bay Musical Theater put on a sensory-friendly performance of “Guys and Dolls.” What makes this production of “Oklahoma” unique, said Carey, is that it does away with the dialogue. WVLO’s performance of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which tells the story of two young cowboys vying with an evil ranch hand and a traveling peddler for the hearts of the women they love in the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the 20th century, will be distilled to just the music and dance portions, said Carey.
There will be a number of other adjustments as well. During the performance, the volume of loud sounds will be reduced, the lights will remain on and most importantly, audience members will be allowed to do as they please for the most part–and that includes talking, making noise and moving around in a safe and supportive environment.
“Nobody will look sideways at you if you need to walk around or sing along to everything,” said Carey.
Otherwise, the show, which is being directed by Rebecca Brownson, will be like any other. That means there will be a program for guests and a concession stand outside.
“We want it to be as much of a theater experience as possible,” Carey said.
Her hope is that sensory-friendly performances become so profitable and manageable that theater groups will eventually begin offering them as a regular part of their schedule, much like has been done with student or senior nights.
“I think the parents and caregivers will get as much enjoyment out of this as the kids, and I just hope this becomes something that’s more acceptable to more people,” she said. “I just think musical theater ought to be something where everyone who wants to experience it can experience it.”
That includes children like her son, Carey said.
“When he grows up, he’ll never be independent,” she said. “I hope that when he’s a grown up and he wants to see ‘Cats,’ that somewhere someone is putting on a performance of ‘Cats’ where you can go and clap and make noise.”
West Valley Light Opera’s production of “Oklahoma” is targeted at ages 5 to 18, although adults with autism would also find it enjoyable, said Carey. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
The performance, which is estimated to be around two hours, is free and takes place Nov. 15 at at 2:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
