In 'The Aspie Hour', neuroatypical musical theatre nerds Sophie Smyth and Ryan Smedley confirm some stereotypes about people on the spectrum, but myth bust so many more.

Yes, Aspies are good at systemising, remembering trivia and at developing obsessions. They (we) can also (sometimes) dance, be funny and can feel and express emotions; sometimes more deeply and profoundly than those who were born just intuitively knowing how that is done.

While having an obsession, a singular and often consuming passion, is a key diagnostic trait for autism spectrum disorders, the nature of this obsession can vary. Sometimes it’s trains. No, often it’s trains. They are orderly, and arrive on time, or should.

Musical theatre is a surprisingly common special interest of those on the spectrum too. Maybe it’s a gateway into the world of emotion; every emotion is easier to understand when it’s choreographed, exaggerated and accompanied by mood appropriate music.

In 'The Aspie Hour', Ryan and Sophie relate their experiences and struggles living on the spectrum, but do so using their special gifts: their ability to obsess about musical theatre, and then develop a systematic understanding of how this obsession works.

Ryan, in his segment, shows how he has deconstructed the compositions of composers that he loves, like Sondheim, by relating his story through compositions of his own. Sophie, meanwhile, constructs a narrative based on her comprehensive understanding of the storytelling devices and tropes used by the writers of Broadway and West End shows.

The pair mostly perform solo, but their chemistry when sharing the stage is infectious. In their solitary moments, though, Ryan and Sophie welcome the audiences into their rich and vivid inner worlds; worlds where emotions like love, loneliness, isolation, defectiveness, resilience, perseverance, and more swirl.

Their capacity to share these with unflinching honesty is maybe another manifestation of being on the spectrum, but this is not over-sharing. These stories need to be told. 'The Aspie Hour' is a reminder that a label is not a limit and that all around us there is infinite sky.