Rosie O’Donnell has become a producer on Indigo, a new musical exploring autism through the eyes of a non-speaking autistic teenager. The show, after its UK premiere in Leicester, is planning a London debut in 2027.

Rosie O’Donnell has joined the producing team behind Indigo, a musical that tells the story of an unconventional family across three generations, focusing on autism, Alzheimer’s, addiction, loss, and family relationships. The narrative is delivered from the perspective of Emma, a non-speaking neurodivergent teenager who perceives the world through colour and light, aiming to provide audiences with an immersive sensory experience.

O’Donnell’s involvement comes after seeing Indigo’s UK premiere at Curve in Leicester in 2025. She described the show as “the most beautiful and authentic depiction of autism in a kid” she has ever seen and expressed her belief that the story needs to reach a wider audience.

The musical features a book by Kait Kerrigan and music and lyrics by Scott Evan Davis. Conceived by Davis, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione, it is directed by Catie Davis. The creative team includes Brad Haak as music supervisor and orchestrator, Andrzej Goulding handling scenic and video design, Jake DeGroot on lighting, and Matt Peploe on sound design.

Indigo was developed in collaboration with members of the autism and neurodivergent communities. Notably, the actor portraying Emma has been neurodivergent in every production, including the Leicester run, reinforcing the team’s commitment to authentic representation.

Davis highlighted that the musical’s goal was not to explain autism but to represent a young person who is not a victim, broken, or in need of changing. This ethos underpins the narrative and creative approach of the production.

O’Donnell brings extensive theatrical and television experience to Indigo’s production team. She previously hosted The Rosie O’Donnell Show, winning 12 Daytime Emmy Awards, and has moderated The View. Her Broadway experience includes performances in Grease, Seussical, and Fiddler on the Roof, as well as lead producing the musical Taboo. Additionally, she founded Rosie’s Theater Kids, which offers free theatre education to New York City public school students, and produced the 2025 documentary Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism.

The production is led by Lorenzo Thione, Joey Monda, and Jay Kuo of Sing Out, Louise! Productions, which has a track record of producing Broadway shows such as Days of Wine and Roses, Allegiance, and co-producing Hadestown and A Strange Loop.

Further details about Indigo’s planned London premiere in 2027 are yet to be announced.