An absurdist comedy troupe who happen to be the first troupe of people with Asperger’s Syndrome. They were featured in the Duplass Brothers Productions documentary “Asperger’s Are Us” now on Netflix. They have performed over 100 original absurdist sketch shows in nine countries since 2010.
“Audiences don’t usually know what to expect from Asperger’s Are Us, a Boston sketch comedy troupe made up solely of artists on the autism spectrum. Will they use self-deprecating humor about life with Asperger’s syndrome? Are they hoping to shed light on a serious condition? Will they be something like Sheldon, the socially inept character on CBS’s ‘The Big Bang Theory’?
The answer, it turns out, is none of the above.
Instead of focusing on the condition, the four men who make up the troupe perform skits and monologues that reflect their thoughts, perspectives and offbeat sensibilities, often characterized by deadpan and absurd humor… the guys are not looking for sympathy laughs or polite applause. Their show is not an autism awareness campaign, they say. They want people to laugh simply because they’re funny.” – New York Times
There will be a postshow Q&A with the cast.
Free and open to the public, but registration is recommended.
Alejandro Escovedo is a roots rock/alternative country singer/songwriter from Austin, Texas. He began a career in the early 1980’s that spans 14 albums, thousands of live shows and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road forging an identity that is one with his muse and his music. Over a lifetime spent traversing the bridge between words and melody, he has ranged over an emotional depth that embraces all forms of genre and presentation, a resolute voice that weathers the emotional terrain of our lives, its celebrations and despairs, it’s land mines, blindsides, upheavals and beckoning distractions, in search of ultimate release and the healing truth of honesty. Sometimes it takes the form of barely contained rage, the rock of punk amid kneeled feedback; sometimes it caresses and soothes, a whispery harmony riding the air of a nightclub room, removed from amplification, within the audience. Alejandro has worked his musical magic a number of times at the Jersey Shore, at the legendary Stone Pony, at the Count Basie Theatre and at the Paramount Theater headlining the Light of Day Festival in Asbury Park where he was joined by his friends Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky, Jesse Malin and Bruce Springsteen. Nationally syndicated radio shows such as Little Steven Van Zandt’s Underground Garage continue to give prominent attention to Escovedo and his music, continuing to play songs such as “Silver Cloud” from his 2010 album Street Songs of Love as well as music from his most recent record 2012’s Big Station. His family boasts several professional musicians including his niece, drummer/percussionist Sheila E. With Special Guest Amy Cook.