Autism: The Musical (New Documentary on HBO)

This feature documentary follows five autistic children from Los Angeles as they participate in an innovative theater program founded by Elaine Hall, who was inspired by her work at home with her own autistic son. Feeling that a structured theater program could help autistic children interact socially while expressing themselves creatively, Hall founded the Miracle Program, and soon saw it embraced by a number of families with autistic children. Though minor setbacks occur along the way at home and at rehearsals, Hall’s experiment culminates in an upbeat stage performance that defies all expectations. Filmmaker Tricia Regan captures the struggles and triumphs of troupe members and their families, showing how the transformative power of theater can provide the keys to help autistic children unlock their inner world, providing a comfort zone in which they can flourish.
Autism: The Musical premieres on HBO Tuesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.