Missoula Community Theatre's MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET Offers Adaptive Autism Performance Today

The Missoula Community Theatre (MCT Inc.) presents an adaptive performance of Miracle on 34th Street The Musical to accommodate people on the autism spectrum today, December 4.

“The adaptive performance is our way of reaching out to folks who may not come to any regular programs,” said Executive Director Michael McGill, director of Miracle on 34th Street The Musical. “Theatre is a powerful medium, and we want it to be shared and engaged in by everyone.”

Miracle on 34th Street The Musical retells Meredith Willson’s (The Music Man, The Unsinkable Molly Brown) classic story of a white-bearded gentleman claiming to be the real Santa Claus. The charming family holiday favorite will be modified to make the production more suitable for the audience. Some of the special features: lower light and sound levels for sensitive eyes and ears. With the help and guidance of VSA Montana, other considerations will be made, too. The lobby will have designated quiet areas, staffed with autism experts and trained volunteers. Inside the theatre, volunteers will hold up glow sticks to notify parents and caretakers when there will be applause or some other loud noise, allowing them the time to assist in the covering of ears or putting on of headphones.

To ease the anxiety of those who might not know what to expect, MCT developed a ‘social story’ booklet for children, which explains step-by-step the details of the theatre experience.

Tickets for this performance go on sale Monday, November 12, 2012, by phone at the MCT Box Office (406) 728-7529 (PLAY). Tickets are $10 per person and all seats are reserved. The box office will do its best to meet all special seating requests, including the need for extra space or quiet. The performance will run 80 minutes with a single 10 minute intermission.

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