Emmy Award-winning entertainer and autism advocate Rosie O’Donnell has joined the producing team of Indigo, the new original musical about an unconventional family seen through the eyes of a non-speaking autistic teenager.
The announcement was made by producers Lorenzo Thione, Joey Monda and Jay Kuo of Sing Out, Louise! Productions, as plans continue for a London premiere in 2027.
O’Donnell decided to become involved with the production following her experience of the show’s UK premiere at Leicester’s Curve theatre in 2025.
“INDIGO is the most beautiful and authentic depiction of autism in a kid as I have ever seen. This story needs to be seen by the world.” – Rosie O’Donnell
Welcoming O’Donnell to the production, Lorenzo Thione said: “Rosie has spent years speaking candidly and with humour about neurodivergence to millions of people, in her own voice and on her own platforms. Now she is bringing that voice and the community she has built to Indigo and inviting them to experience this incredible story for themselves. We couldn’t be prouder of welcoming Rosie to the Indigo family.”
Indigo explores the lives of three generations of women navigating autism, Alzheimer’s, addiction, loss and family relationships. At its heart is Emma, a non-speaking neurodivergent teenager whose rich internal world allows audiences to experience life from her perspective.
The musical features a book by Kait Kerrigan, music and lyrics by Scott Evan Davis, and was conceived by Jay Kuo, Lorenzo Thione and Scott Evan Davis. Direction is by Catie Davis, with music supervision and orchestrations by Brad Haak, scenic and video design by Andrzej Goulding, lighting design by Jake DeGroot and sound design by Matt Peploe.
The production has been developed in close collaboration with autism and neurodivergent communities and has maintained a commitment to casting neurodivergent performers in the role of Emma throughout its development.
Reflecting on O’Donnell’s involvement, Scott Evan Davis said: “When we first conceived Indigo, our goal was never to explain autism to an audience. It was to tell the story of a kid who is not a victim, who is not broken and doesn’t need to be changed. It was to invite an audience in to feel what Emma feels and to see the world from her eyes. Rosie has spent years speaking up for neurodivergent kids to be seen for who they really are. Having her on our team is a reaffirmation of our goal and commitment.”
Beyond her entertainment career, O’Donnell has become a prominent voice within the neurodivergent community through her advocacy work, including her documentary Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism and her social media presence, where she regularly discusses autism, parenting and neurodiversity.
More information can be found here.
