←Recommendations of Light Switch

Love stories involving autistic people are often "more about how hard it is to love an autistic person than how challenging it is to be an autistic person who wants to be loved." (Sarah Kurchak)

Osmundsen to the rescue!

Protagonist Henry has Asperger's and Osmundsen makes him appealing without softening his more challenging characteristics. Henry has rigid expectations about people, sex, and romance, but he allows himself to love and hurt like the 19th century heroines he worships.

LIGHT SWITCH has shades, colors, and complexity. Every character surprises. There's a heartfelt, painful honestly broadening Henry's world and ours.

Osmundsen's play, 'Light Switch', follows Henry through a time-jumping, non-chronological array of scenes in his life, depicting vulnerable relationships which may or may not break. It's a coming-out and coming-of-age tale where Henry speaks to everyone, and relates to everything, through his vast knowledge of 19th century British literature. As people experience Henry's rendering of the present or past; a first love, potential new loves, college mates, and a mother who, like everyone, isn't sure what to do with or about Henry's autism, we wonder if he'll find love. Books aren't just a safe space, they serve Henry's world structure.

Henry is extraordinary. This play is extraordinary. It is written with such compassion and humor. It's not often that I read an Autistic character who doesn't sound like a total cliche. This brought me so much joy and hope. I absolutely loved this play.

A lovely, original, and thoroughly engaging play about a character who is annoying and endearing in equal measure. Osmundsen takes us into the mind of Henry Sullivan, a high-functioning gay autist who can communicate with others only through his obsession with 19th-century British fiction, a genre the author obviously knows intimately. After failing to connect with two potential relationships, Henry ultimately finds proof that there is someone for everyone. Dialogue, characterizations, and shifting time frames are all handled skillfully in this charming full-length where every character is sympathetic and understandable, even if most cannot provide Henry with what he needs.

This. Play. Is. So. Beautiful! Osmundsen has a gift for creating empathetic and engaging characters that I really root for, especially Henry. I fell in love with him--I fell fast and I fell hard. His journey is hopeful, heartbreaking and FAN-TAS-TIC!!!! We need to see more stories like this on the stage, and I can't recommend this one highly enough.

This play punched me in the gut. Personable, eloquent, and heartbreaking, “Light Switch” is a gem of a play, with very empathetic and believable characters. I would love to see a production of this play, as Osmundsen’s creative concept and dialogue was made to be seen on the stage.

There is so much beauty in this script it almost overwhelms, and I mean that in the best way possible. Dave Osmundsen's protagonist, Henry, is one of the most specifically engaging characters I've encountered in a long while, and he is wrought so tenderly one can't help but fall in love with him, fear for him, root for him, and ultimately cheer for him. I would love to see this script produced. Often.

A beautiful and heartbreaking piece that deserves to be produced. Osmundsen has written gorgeously crafted and truthful characters who are terrifically specific and unique. While doing this he also manages to create an incredibly accessible and universal story that penetrates the heart. I've never seen a character like Henry portrayed on stage before and Osmundsen treats him and his situation with such respect and tenderness and brutal honesty. From start to finish a lovely and resonant piece that I can't wait to see performed.

Why will audiences love "Light Switch"? Osmundsen is so skilled at writing dialogue for distinctive voices; building structure, story and plot; and especially developing characters.

Henry Sullivan, the hero, has multiple layers -- several terrific qualities including intelligence, passion, humor, and earnestness, and also flaws. Which is terrific. Henry is not idealized nor is he entirely defined by being on the autism spectrum; Osmundsen allows him to be human, and audiences will relate to him.

"Light Switch" tells a universal story with the focus on a very specific character. It's terrific theatre.

This tender-hearted, intimate story is fantastic. In examining neurodiversity within an already marginalized community, Osmundsen sheds light on the ways in which the gay male community doesn't make space for intersectional queerness. In Henry, he has created a sympathetic and well-rendered protagonist. I was also impressed by the arcs of Roggie, Marian, and Joseph. They each have their own journeys that help to further illuminate Henry's struggles, strengths, and how he helps those around him grow and evolve. I enjoyed the theatrical play with time, as well as the humor throughout. The ending is hopeful and heartening.