Instead of a fall play, this year the Baldwin Drama Club will be performing a fall musical titled Normal-C, which shines a spotlight on young people with special needs. 

The show was co-written by Jason Coll, drama club sponsor and director of Baldwin’s fall and spring productions. It was commissioned by Beacon College, a school in Leesburg, Fla., that focuses on teaching people with specific learning disabilities, in honor of the school’s 30th anniversary.

The story is about three high school students with disabilities who participate in a clinical trial for a drug that claims to make them “normal,” but the results vary from person to person. 

“I think exploring characters who have learning disabilities or autism, which this show explores, helps to take some of the mystery or outside stigmas away from such kids by putting them in an honest light to show that they’re just like ‘mainstream students’ in so many ways,” Coll said. 

Coll produced the music and lyrics for Normal-C, as well as directing the show. Coll also will have other original works premiering this year at Point Park University and Civic Light Opera. 

Normal-C will run from Nov. 7-9.

“It’s not on the scale of the spring musical.  It’s more intimate,” Coll said. “I think that the show is going to deliver a poignant, beautiful message that there really is no “normal” in this world.  We are all unique beings,” Coll said. 

Junior Chris Storms said he was excited about the production.

“I was expecting a play, but when I heard it was a show that Jason helped write, I was intrigued,” Storms said. “After having a first rehearsal, I have a good feeling about this show.”