May 21-June 14, 2026
It is often said that the best theater makes you think and that a great evening in the theater will prompt discussion long after the curtain comes down. If that’s the case, then Dave Osmundsen’s 2019 play Light Switch, which opens May 14, 2026 at Island City Stage, will surely fulfill the mission.
Light Switch is not your typical run-of-the-mill LGBTQ+ fare dealing with—in the case of comedies—budding romances and unaccepting mothers, or the numerous tragedies borne from the aftermath of the AIDS crisis. Light Switch is a coming-of-age tale that follows an 11-year-old boy named Henry Sullivan—who just happens to be obsessed with Jane Austen and Emily Brontë—to a mature 27-year-old gay man—still obsessed with Jane Austen and Emily Brontë. The difference here is that Henry, our protagonist, is also Autistic. We experience Henry navigating personal relationships: his mother Marian, best friend Roggie, playground pals, and later, desperately trying to find love and connection with that special someone. Someone who, in Henry’s case, will not only accept him for who he is but will also, hopefully, adore Wuthering Heights as much as he does. It’s a big ask, but we’re rooting for him. And isn’t that another ingredient of great theater? To feel empathy for the main character? And care we do. We want Henry to succeed.
Playwright Osmundsen is completely qualified to handle the task at hand. Not only does he hold an MFA in drama from Arizona State University, but he has written over ten plays, several of which have been seen and developed at major regional theaters including Florida Studio Theater and the William Inge Theatre Festival. In addition, Light Switch was also the 2021 Distinguished Achievement recipient of the Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award. On top of all that, Osmundsen is a gay man who happens to be Autistic. He is delighted that his play will be presented by Island City Stage. “In terms of LGBTQ rights, especially the trans+ community and the disabled and neurodivergent folks, I feel like we’re going backwards and I don’t like that. I feel like the arts and the theater is one of the few safe spaces where we can share our stories without judgment.”
Director Michael Leeds, (The Little Foxes, Love! Valour! Compassion!) is excited about the piece and how it will speak to Wilton Manors audiences. “I think it will be something new and different. I personally have never seen this on stage, a gay Autistic person and their life going from being a kid to an adult. It sends a powerful message about self-acceptance. Whether it’s race, sexuality, or our disabilities, we should all strive to accept others, and most importantly, ourselves.”
How fresh and rare to discover a theatrical work that yes, will make us think as we leave Island City Stage and walk down Wilton Drive. And how fortunate that Island City Stage Artistic Director Andy Rogow had the foresight to bring it to Wilton Manors this season.
Light Switch runs from May 14 to June 21 with performances from Thursdays to Sundays. Tickets are available by visiting the Island City Stage website at www.IslandCityStage.org.
You’ll definitely want to see this one.
