Autism: The Musical
Director: Tricia Regan. Cinematography: Tricia Regan. Film editing: Kim Roberts. Music: Mike Semple. Producers: Sasha Alpert, Perrin Chiles, Tricia Regan. With: Elaine Hall, Stephen Stills, Kristen Stills, Rosanne Katon, and members of the Miracle Project named Adam, Henry, Lexi, Neal, and Wyatt. USA. 94 min. 2007.
This documentary gives a distinctive new spin to the venerable genre of Hey, Kids, Let’s Put On a Show movies. The heroes and heroines are autistic kids enrolled in Elaine Hall’s innovative Miracle Project, which encourages them to develop their creative talents by preparing and performing a song-filled stage production. The results are as boisterous as can be; the youngsters are hugely likable; and their parents (including the old rock-music icon Stephen Stills, who has definitely seen better days) are a study in contrasts as they cope, or try to cope, or fail to cope, with the challenges they and their families face. The results are winning, enlightening, and entertaining. -- David Sterritt
