Bum Bum, or, this farce has Autism

by Dave Osmundsen

It’s the night of the All Stars for Autism telethon to benefit Singing and Hearing Autistic Greatness (SaHAG, or SHAG). Lisa is going to perform a little ballet. Sean is going to do a family-friendly comedy routine. And Jason 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...

It’s the night of the All Stars for Autism telethon to benefit Singing and Hearing Autistic Greatness (SaHAG, or SHAG). Lisa is going to perform a little ballet. Sean is going to do a family-friendly comedy routine. And Jason 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 the three band together to take over the broadcast and perform their less “appropriate” routines, hijinks ensue.

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Bum Bum, or, this farce has Autism

Recommended by

  • Jordan Bird: Bum Bum, or, this farce has Autism by Dave Osmundsen
    “

    Bum Bum had me laughing & crying from start to finish. The joy of watching characters use an AAC device, ventriloquism, song, dance, & standup to tell stories & hold others accountable was powerful. Just as beautifully as the play showcases Autistic joy, the characters of Bum Bum demand more from the "problematic allies" who infantilize them & literally dress them up in different clothes. What an absolute delight it will be to see this live someday. This play is a gift for ND artists & audiences

    Bum Bum had me laughing & crying from start to finish. The joy of watching characters use an AAC device, ventriloquism, song, dance, & standup to tell stories & hold others accountable was powerful. Just as beautifully as the play showcases Autistic joy, the characters of Bum Bum demand more from the "problematic allies" who infantilize them & literally dress them up in different clothes. What an absolute delight it will be to see this live someday. This play is a gift for ND artists & audiences

    ”
  • Jacqueline Goldfinger: Bum Bum, or, this farce has Autism by Dave Osmundsen
    “

    Rarely does a play make me laugh this hard, but also mean so much. Osmundsen is a vibrant and exciting emerging playwright whose play leans into the absurdity of modern life through the lens of a wide-range of characters and perspectives.

    Rarely does a play make me laugh this hard, but also mean so much. Osmundsen is a vibrant and exciting emerging playwright whose play leans into the absurdity of modern life through the lens of a wide-range of characters and perspectives.

    ”
  • Sam Heyman: Bum Bum, or, this farce has Autism by Dave Osmundsen
    “

    I had the pleasure of watching a recording of BUM BUM and came away from the experience with a profound sense of hope — hope for a world, a cultural landscape where autistic artists, dancers, comedians, PLAYWRIGHTS get to be themselves, uncensored, unsanitized, and unapologetically so. Dave Osmundsen is at the forefront of what theatre is and can look like. BUM BUM, OR, THIS FARCE HAS AUTISM is funny, profound, and deserves to be seen by audiences all over. Produce this play!

    I had the pleasure of watching a recording of BUM BUM and came away from the experience with a profound sense of hope — hope for a world, a cultural landscape where autistic artists, dancers, comedians, PLAYWRIGHTS get to be themselves, uncensored, unsanitized, and unapologetically so. Dave Osmundsen is at the forefront of what theatre is and can look like. BUM BUM, OR, THIS FARCE HAS AUTISM is funny, profound, and deserves to be seen by audiences all over. Produce this play!

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Production History

  • Professional, EPIC Players, 2025