←Recommendations of Light Switch

A funny, heartfelt, tender, tough coming-of-age comedy-drama about a queer autistic man navigating his past and present. I fell in love with this semi-autobiographical two-act play about Henry, whose life includes a collection of would-be friends and lovers, a deep bond with his mother and a passion for English lit. Jumping between time periods, LIGHT SWITCH explores territory we don’t see much in film, theater and TV — and it’s written by someone with the lived experience of his characters. It’s a very specific world, yet universal: Henry wants love. The path felt familiar and fresh at once.

LIGHT SWITCH by Dave Osmundsen is a play I highly recommend. The voices of each character are incredibly distinct and layered, especially the character of Henry and explorations of intersectional identity. References to 19th Century British Literature are woven beautifully throughout and utilized so uniquely in this play as a sources of connection and understanding. The storytelling in this play is also thrilling as queer characters navigate intersections of neurodiversity and relationships in such original ways. LIGHT SWITCH took me on an amazing journey of laughter, tears, and everything in between.

A vulnerable time-spanning story that treats the personal as a delicate epic, much like the Victorian romance novels that Henry reads. These stories are so inherent to who he is that in sharing them he gives a piece of himself each time. This play is no different - a fearless sharing that demands its audience weigh each word, each interaction, as we come to experience the world through Henry's eyes. Very beautifully crafted and moving.

Enough cannot be said of the play's brilliance in weaving together the arc of its engaging protagonist, layered conversations about neurodiversity, and 19th century themes, scholarship, and references. Each inform and enrich the other to heartbreaking effect. Henry is an instantly effective and affecting character: his connection to 19th century British literature is deeply authentic, personal, wonderful, and uncompromising, even as the playwright brings an empathetic lens to the characters grappling to connect with Henry's singular passion. A desperately beautiful work that demands to be performed.

A magnum opus in both queer storytelling and autistic storytelling, with a wonderful protagonist you’ll remember forever and a story that pulls you in, haunts you like Henry’s favorite gothic romance, and ends on a stunning note of grace and empathy. An important, loveable, necessary work.

A gorgeous portrait of love and perseverance. It is hard not to fall in love with Henry from the jump. Really smart and vulnerable writing.

A beautiful, heart-wrenching play. A true masterclass in compassion. Osmundsen's writing is effortlessly incisive, bringing us fully into Henry's world with clarity, vulnerability, and deeply rooted sympathy for every character. Works on every level - what a joy to read!

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.