Off-Broadway's Anastasia

Her rousing speech on Americans with disabilities stole the spotlight at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Now Anastasia Somoza is joining the company of Off-Broadway’s Addy & Uno as the show's Consulting Producer.

“I’m thrilled to join the team,” she says. “This show is giving children with disabilities an opportunity to finally see themselves represented on a theatrical stage. I’m truly excited for audiences from all walks of life to understand that disability is an inherent part of the human story."

Addy & Uno is off-Broadway’s first family musical comedy to celebrate disability, friendship, and kindness. The show stars Uno, a young mathematical whiz kid who happens to have autism. He gains the courage to enter his school’s math competition with help from friends who face challenges of their own: Addy has AHDH; Melody is visually impaired; Seemore has hearing loss; and RJ uses a wheelchair.

Created by Dr. Nava R. Silton, a developmental psychologist, and produced by Tom D’Angora, Addy & Uno is playing off-Broadway on Theatre Row. The 50-minute musical comedy features an original score and a cast of hilarious puppets and people on a wonderful journey that hails hope, big dreams and the beauty of individuality.

How did you come to be a part of the off Broadway production of Addy & Uno?

Anastasia Somoza: Producer Tom D'Angora and I met on Secretary Clinton's first presidential campaign in 2007 and most recently served as delegates together during the 2016 Democratic National Convention. We have grown incredibly close as friends over the last ten years and have often talked about turning our common vision of making the world more equitable, accepting, and inclusive into a creative collaboration. Tom saw Addy & Uno during its run at the Y, loved it, came to me and said, "I'm going to produce it and give it a permanent home at Theatre Row!" We both saw it as a wonderful opportunity for our friendship to be a force for good at a time when the world really needs to feel a little love.

Why are shows like Addy & Uno so important?

Anastasia Somoza: Addy & Uno is giving children with disabilities an opportunity to finally see themselves represented on a theatrical stage. I'm truly excited for audiences from all walks of life to understand that disability is an inherent part of the human story. Whether you’re three, sixteen, or eighty, it's hard to resist smiling at the sight of a puppet.

Was there anything like Addy & Uno when you were a child?

Anastasia Somoza: Disability wasn't talked about or taught in school when I was a child. I know Sesame Street was thinking about representing children with disabilities back in the early 90s because I was almost on the show at one point, but I can't remember a specific character on any of the shows that had a disability.

What is your wish for children with disabilities in 2018?

Anastasia Somoza: I want the experiences of children with disabilities to be no different from that of their non-disabled siblings, peers, and friends. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play, and benefit equally from all forms of education and recreation, including theater.

What do we need to do now to inspire change?

Anastasia Somoza: We, as a public, need to continue working toward making the physical world around us, especially all public places, accessible. That being said, making a theatrical performance truly accessible to absolutely everyone isn't limited to getting rid of physical barriers. It must include focusing our energy on finding innovative ways to make the show come alive for individuals who are blind and deaf, as well as those with sensory disabilities. We need to find ways of educating each other about disability in general so that, for example, it wouldn't be a big deal if an autistic child makes unexpected noises or gestures in the middle of a performance. Last, but certainly not least, we need to give actors with disabilities the opportunity to join future casts. Disabled Actors need more opportunities to represent themselves in shows about people with disabilities as well as more chances to audition for all kinds of roles.

Addy & Uno plays every Saturday and Sunday at 12pm at the Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row (410 W 42nd St off of 9th Ave). Tickets are $42.25 and can be purchased at The Theatre Row box office or through Telecharge.com. For more information, visit the show's website.