Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Long Beach Theatre Guild is set to present a sensory-friendly performance of “The Music Man” next month, offering a theater experience tailored to those with sensory sensitivities.
The guild has staged more than 100 critically acclaimed musicals and plays, establishing a reputation that keeps audiences returning for more fun, and now, more inclusiveness.
The idea for sensory-friendly performances arose five years ago, inspired by the personal experience of a member of the guild’s board. A devoted theater fan herself, she wanted her autistic son to be able to enjoy the experience as well, which led to discussions about the lack of accessible programs for children with sensory sensitivities and processing challenges. So the organization developed a program designed to make theater more welcoming for them and their families.
“We originally just had school-aged children,” Nancy Gallinaro, president of the guild and the director of “The Music Man,” said. “We expanded it to group homes, and this year we also extended it to veterans, as they can also experience sensory situations due to PTSD. We only have maybe 10 or so vets coming. It’s not fully bloomed yet, but we know it takes a year or two to kick off. We’re hoping that by next year, we’ll have all three groups — the schoolchildren, the group homes and the veterans.
You learn what needs to be tweaked from the responses,” Gallinaro added. “Just because it was a parent of a child that gave us the idea initially, we said, ‘Well, who else can be positively affected by it?’”
Audience members at the upcoming performance — one of the three stagings of “The Music Man” at the Lindell school auditorium — will be provided with sensory kits that contain items such as fidget spinners, earplugs and other sensory tools to help make them feel comfortable and engaged. Trained volunteers will be on hand during the show to assist attendees, and will also oversee a designated quiet space outside the auditorium, where audience members can go if they feel overwhelmed.
“We have a very active volunteer staff,” Gallinaro said. “We have people who come to my house to put together the kits and props. It’s an amazing program, and the funding for the kits and T-shirts, as well as other sensory-specific items, comes from the Huntington Arts Council.”
The organization received a $5,000 from the council for “The Music Man.” Gallinaro noted that the group has been very supportive of the program, and the guild is proud to have partnered with them for the past four years.
To prepare the cast for interacting with a sensory-friendly audience, a special-education teacher conducts training sessions, familiarizing performers with potential audience reactions that may differ from those in traditional theater performances, such as vocalizations or movements. The training is designed to help actors remain focused on their performances and respond appropriately to any unexpected disruptions.
For “The Music Man,” several adjustments have been made to accommodate sensory-sensitive audience members. The sound levels will be moderated, lighting will be adjusted and the performance will be a matinee to help minimize the visual contrast between the auditorium and the stage.
While the reimagined show does not require specific scene modifications, past productions needed adjustments to ensure a comfortable experience for all attendees. Particularly loud and dramatic scenes in the November 2022 performance of “The Wizard of Oz” that featured the Wicked Witch had to be dialed down. Similarly, last October’s sensory-friendly performance of “Peter Pan” included reduced sound levels and dimmed lighting.
“Last year we had a lot of positive feedback,” Gallinaro said. “This year we have over 220 participants for our Sunday sensory-friendly show, which is the most we’ve ever had.”
Three traditional performances of “The Music Man” will take place on Nov. 16 and 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. the sensory-friendly show is scheduled for Nov. 17, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase on the Guild’s website, lbtheatreguild.org.
