←Recommendations of Light Switch

With “Light Switch” Osmundsen has created one of the great central characters of contemporary theater in a beautifully written story existing at the intersection of neurodiversity and queerness. The play is a classic example of the specific being universal. What defines us as individuals differs in the details, yet we are all after the same things in life. Just like the main character Henry, we all seek love. I highly recommend this play for theaters with young ensembles and for people interested in sitting down to read a fantastic play that will entertain and move them.

Light Switch is the play the Autistic community needs right now. Henry is a big R Romantic at heart, and in him, Osmundsen shines a light on what being Autistic is actually like. Henry is complicated, funny, loyal, loving, and stalwart in his beliefs, and through spending these 100 pages with him, I feel like I’ve grown accustomed to his charms. All I know is I’d want Henry as a friend!

I've known about the existence of this play for a long time, and I would like to apologize to myself for taking this long to read it. It is nothing short of marvelous, witty and heartfelt at the same time. I wish I had read it a long time ago. Fortunately for me, it is also, at its core, a play about forgiveness.

A beautiful window into a world that most of us can only imagine, “Light Switch” is playful, sexy, sad, and wondrous. The characters are rich and rounded, and the show is full of linguistic and visual joy. An amazing piece that draws you in and propels you toward a lovely and satisfying conclusion. Fantastic!

A beautiful piece that moves swiftly through space and time, inviting me into a world I didn't want to leave. It's funny and moving. Looking forward to seeing this on stage :)

This play is one of a kind in queer theatre, groundbreaking possibly and inspiring definitely for future playwrights that want to explore the intersection of neurodiversity and gay identities. The playwright has created an unforgettable protagonist that opened my eyes to a difference I don't see much of on and off stage, and in the end someone I can relate to. Sexy, silly and serious -- this play will win over your audience.

Playwrights Foundation highly recommends LIGHT SWITCH, which excelled to the Finalist round (top 35) for the 44th annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival out of 755 plays. Our community of readers felt this play best represented the mission of our festival. This work engaged us, inspired us, moved us, and was an outstanding example of transformative storytelling. Our local Bay Area Literary Council commends LIGHT SWITCH as a compelling, relevant cathartic new work which should be produced now. Congratulations! #BAPF2021

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.