Rosie O’Donnell joins autism-focused musical 'Indigo' as producer

Rosie O’Donnell has joined the producing team of Indigo, a new musical about autism, family and the experiences of a non-speaking autistic teenager. The production is planning a move to London in late 2027.

O’Donnell, a longtime autism advocate, became involved after seeing the musical’s UK premiere at Curve Theatre in Leicester last year. The project follows Emma, a non-speaking neurodivergent teenager, and explores her family through her perspective.

“Indigo is the most beautiful and authentic depiction of autism in a kid as I have ever seen,” O’Donnell said, adding that she believes the story deserves a wider audience.

The musical follows three generations of women as they navigate family conflict, memory, addiction, loss and changing relationships. Emma experiences the world differently from those around her, allowing audiences to see events through her perspective despite her inability to communicate through speech.

Indigo features a book by Kait Kerrigan, with music and lyrics by Scott Evan Davis and direction by Catie Davis. Jay Kuo, Lorenzo Thione and Davis conceived the musical.

The creative team has emphasised authentic representation, with neurodivergent artists involved both onstage and behind the scenes. The actresses who have portrayed Emma in Leicester and previous productions are themselves neurodivergent.

Davis said the musical was not created to “explain autism” but instead to present Emma as a young person who is not broken or in need of changing.

Producers Lorenzo Thione, Joey Monda and Jay Kuo of Sing Out, Louise! Productions announced O’Donnell’s involvement. The London production is targeted for late 2027, although a venue, dates and cast have not been confirmed.

O’Donnell has previously used her public platform to discuss autism and produced the 2025 documentary Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism.