![]() Nancy Altschuler, Goodspeed's director of development, said musicals are designed for sensory overload but she's noticed through the years people who have had to leave the theater mid-performance. Microphone levels on the performers will be lower than usual, and the orchestra has been directed to play quieter. ![]() 'Bye Bye Birdie' is loud, there is a lot of screaming that normally goes on, there are bright lights, there are phones ringing, there are people dancing through the aisles, and running up and down and popping up in the audience, there are just surprises and sensory overload potential." "Sometimes the lobby gets crowded as people sort of surge in and get their tickets, which can be a trigger. "I think any new situation can be difficult," said Mary Murphy, residential director of the Franklin Academy. But if you are on the autism spectrum, certain sensory triggers can make a night at the theater seem more like a nightmare. With music and dance numbers like "Honestly Sincere" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," Goodspeed's version of "Bye Bye Birdie" is an over-the-top spectacle. It's a coordinated effort between Goodspeed, and nearby Franklin Academy - a college prep boarding and day school for teens on the autism spectrum and with other learning disabilities. ![]() This Saturday afternoon, Goodspeed Musicals in Haddam will present what it calls an autism-friendly version of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie," a modified performance for people with sensory input disorders. But for many people on the autism spectrum, the bright lights, loud music, and lavish costumes can cause sensory overload. During a pre-show discussion, the audience will have the chance to see the cast in their costumes, and get used to certain stimuli.Ä«roadway musicals are, by design, a feast for the senses. ![]()
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