"Jellyfish" by Unlabeled Theatre Company at Gremlin Theatre

For the past several years, Unlabeled Theatre Company has been bringing us productions of musicals with a unique model they call "shadow partner." Each character is played by an actor with a disability or who is neurodivergent, AND a neurotypical actor. The two actors speak and sing in unison, which provides disabled people the opportunity to perform in musicals that they might not otherwise be able to, with the support of a partner. The result is something really sweet and special, and the most inclusive and welcoming kind of theater I've seen. But for the first time, they're breaking with that model and bringing us a US premiere new play that tells the story of a young woman with Down syndrome, performed by an actor with Down syndrome. It's the first time they're specifically telling a story about disabled people, and who better to do it? As director Jessica Froehlich notes in the program, "artists in the Disability Community have the right to tell their own stories." It's unfortunately a rare thing in theater, although we did get Full Circle Theater's beautiful production of Martyna Majok's Pulitzer Prize winning play Cost of Living last year, featuring two disabled characters. But Unlabeled's Jellyfish is a rare look at a story about Down syndrome that, like my favorite TV show as a teenager, Life Goes On, treats them like the regular humans that they are, experiencing the full range of emotion. Jellyfish continues at Gremlin Theatre through November 8 only.

"Something Rotten!" by Unlabeled Theatre Company at Gremlin Theatre

Nothing's as amazing as a musical! This line from the 2015 Tony nominated musical Something Rotten! says it all. Except that it's even more amazing when combined with Unlabeled Theatre Company's uniquely special model of pairing an actor with a disability or who is neurodivergent with a neurotypical actor (called a shadow partner), creating dual performances of each character. Something Rotten! is about the love of creation, and the partnership of creating together, something that Unlabeled exemplifies more than any other theater company I've seen. They allow people to be the best that they can be, without being defined by labels, and express the pure joy of performing. Specifically, muuuuusicals! I'd tell you to go see this joyful production before it closes next week, but it's entirely sold out. But follow them on social media for a chance to see their upcoming shows: Once Upon a Mattress this spring, and even more exciting - the US premiere of the British play Jellyfish this fall, featuring a character and actor with Down Syndrome.

"The Addams Family" by Unlabeled Theatre Company at Park Square Theatre

I saw my second production by Unlabeled Theatre Company this weekend, and it was once again so heart-warming, inspiring, and fun. Unlabeled has a unique performance model, in which they pair an actor with a disability or who is neurodivergent with a neurotypical actor - a "shadow partner." Because everyone deserves to be part of theater, whether that's on stage, backstage, or in the audience. And theater is the better for it. In this difficult time in our country when inclusion, accessibility, and diversity seem to be dirty words, it's reassuring to know that our theater companies are continuing to not just say these words, but live them. The Addams Family is a musical that's all about familial love and loyalty, if a bit odd and macabre, and is another great choice for this company. The one-weekend-only run concludes tomorrow (click here for tickets), with their next scheduled production the super fun Something Rotten! next January.

"The SpongeBob Musical" by Unlabeled Theatre Company at Park Square Theatre

"When you have a disability, you live with a lot of labels. Labels that other people put on you. In some cases, you have labels slapped on you before you're even born. Most of those labels aren't particularly helpful. So we're ripping off those labels: Unlabeled Theatre Company." I was pleased to be able to experience my first Unlabeled production this weekend. They have a unique performance model in which they pair an actor with a disability or who is neurodivergent with a neurotypical actor. So two people are portraying each character, saying (or singing) the lines in unison with mirror, or shadow, movements. Their third production in about a year is The SpongeBob Musical, which I'd never seen before, nor have I ever seen the popular cartoon upon which it's based. Unlabeled is doing an abbreviated 75-minute one-act version of the show (that features songs by David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, and more), and I found it to be a really sweet, inspiring, and relevant show about community, friendship, and joining together in times of crisis. The performers are all so genuine and pure in their performances, beautifully supported by their shadow partners, and it's really wonderful to see a truly inclusive cast. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in theater, and experience the benefits that can provide in one's life. The SpongeBob Musical is playing for two weekends on Park Square Theatre's Andy Boss thrust stage, click here for info and tickets.