The world premiere of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism) is officially underway Off-Broadway, and Playbill has the pictures to prove it!
The play, which began performances December 4, will run through December 14 at the HERE Arts Center.
The comedy, written by Autistic playwright Dave Osmundsen, is produced by EPIC Players, one of New York’s leading neuroinclusive theatre companies. Set during a chaotic live telethon benefiting “Singing and Hearing Autistic Greatness” (aka SHAG or SAHAG), the play follows three Autistic performers as they’re pressured to deliver sanitized, "palatable” routines for a mainstream audience.
Lisa (Jordan Patricia Boyatt) is going to perform a little ballet. Sean (Max Tunney) is going to do a family-friendly comedy routine. And Jason (Meconan Ashe) is going to perform with his trusty ventriloquist dummy, Gil McGillicuddy. But the three can only take condescending press reps, problematic pop stars, and the widescale infantilization of Autistic people for so long. When they band together to take over the broadcast and perform their less “appropriate” routines, hijinks (naturally) ensue.
In addition to Boyatt, TUnney, and Ashe, the production stars Cameron Walker as Jeff, Nancy Redman as Susan, Carly Hayes as Caty, and Gravity as Rhina. The play is directed by Meggan Dodd.
Blending farce, satire, and social critique, BUM BUM is an authentic takedown of how media and society package neurodivergence for mass consumption. EPIC’s neurodivergent cast brings authenticity and bite to this bold new work, continuing the company’s mission to challenge stereotypes, increase representation, and center Disabled artists as creative leaders.
For more information, visit HERE.org.
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Company of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
