Stars of the Spectrum Rocks NYC

There was a nasty nor’easter outside, but the dozen performers in the Stars of the Spectrum tour would not leave the Irving Plaza audience high and dry.

The two-hour daytime Sunday concert, held September 27, featured a touring troupe of musicians and singers with a wide-ranging catalogue: pop, hip hop, rock, Disney show tunes, Ghanian drumming, Latin American Cumbia, a track from “Mean Girls,” and a version of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” — along with an impressive assortment of original songs.

three performers on stage with microphones, wearing Epic Plaers black shirts

Performers from the NYC-based neuro-inclusive theater company Epic Players opened the show. (Photo by Neil O’Connor)

Held annually at multiple locations, Stars of the Spectrum is organized by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and features performers from all over the country.

But the first thirty minutes of Sunday’s show had local flavor: a handful of performers from the Epic Players, a neuroinclusive theater company who showcased their stage guile and vocal chops.

Shayna belting out a song from Mean Girls. She really nailed it. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

One NYC-based performer, Ethan J. Mathias, performed a stirring rendition of an original song called “Constellations.” An up and coming tenor/baritone singer, Mathias has been raising eyebrows on the cabaret circuit. You’ll be hearing from him again.

The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation was started by former NFL football quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife Laurie when their then-three-year old son Doug Jr. was diagnosed with childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), a rare autism spectrum disorder.

On stage, Tom Ladka III from NYC likes to move it, move it. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

Like other kids with CDD, Dougie developed typically for his first three years but then lost most of his language, motor, and social skills.

His parents started the Foundation to help other families feel less alone. The Flutie 5K began in 2000 and now has a dozen regional events. The Stars of the Spectrum Concert series has spawned a record label, which has a new release coming out in October.

Jake on guitar could really shred it. Also: Gabrielle Zwi, Sky and Cierra June. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

“No matter what your situation is you can use it in a positive way and help others through your experience,” said Doug Flutie on his website. “Things happen for a reason and we feel that Dougie’s calling was to help those affected by autism.”

From left: Jake, Sky, Sam the Sentient MC, and Jen Msumba. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

MCed masterfully by Britini D’Angelo—an autistic special education teacher from Buffalo who sang and also played saxophone—the event put a spotlight on neurodivergent entertainment that’s on par with anything “typical.”

Sam the Sentient MC had flow. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

The kids in the audience, ages 4 to 22, loved it. So did the parents. The venue, where I’ve seen countless shows, was transformed elegantly into a sensory-friendly paradise: three sensory rooms, plenty of fidgets, headphones, food vouchers, acceptance—the works.

The show was inspiring, and at times quite emotional as some of the artists’ original material expressed their struggles of being accepted.

Victoria Boateng is the founder of Victoria Djembe Academy. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

After the show, my son and I spoke to several of the performers. We asked Chicago-based Sam the Sentient MC why he performs at the Stars of the Spectrum shows:

"It's not only to be a symbol of a person, an adult on the autistic spectrum, you know, living, breathing the experience of being on the neurodiverse spectrum,” he said. “But it's also to serve as an example and a light for those on the spectrum to overcome whatever barriers the world or society may put in front of you—you can overcome them, and I'm living proof of that."

Ethan J. Mathias and Jen Msumba on lead vocals for a stirring original, “Constellations.” (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

We asked Jen Msumba about her upcoming film project, “The Fish Don’t Care When It Rains.” "I was in an institution for seven years, where they used electric skin shock to change my autistic behaviors,” she said. “And I got out, and now I'm letting the world know what really goes on in there.”

She added: “Music and the Flutie Foundation has helped me come out of my shell and make a comeback from that.”

From right: Nico Vargas and Niki Castilla performed a rousing Latin-themed song. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

The film will be showing in select cities and you can see a trailer here. Jen is from Boston, and writes music as well as makes films—she’s a Sundance Fellow. When we asked her how she likes New York City, she said: “I like New York City, but it's hard because it's very crowded. I'd have to get used to it.”

C-Quig (on the right with the mic) dropped some great rhymes. In the middle is Laura K. Jane. (Photo: Neil O’Connor)

We asked Sam the Sentient MC if his parents played a big role in his artistic pursuits: “Absolutely. Yeah. I remember back when I was like five years old. My parents had my brothers and I take piano lessons. We played instruments in bands, so they were very supportive of our musical and artistic ambitions. And I just happen to be the one brother that stuck with being an artist and creativity and doing it in a professional way. And you know, it's led me to places I couldn't even imagine being. So it's definitely a blessing.

Jen and Britini D’Angelo performed a song they co-wrote.

We then asked Sam what would he would tell parents whose kids have some artistic ability: “Continue feeding it,” he said. “Support it, and keep continuing to spark that flame unapologetically.”