"Magic 8 Ball" - One Man Show

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George Steeves’ obsession with entertainment began soon after he was born.
The Pennsylvania native has Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum diagnosis that affects social interactions. Although the disorder delayed his speech development, he eventually learned to talk by watching movies and television.

In fact, his first word was “cookie,” and he credits “Sesame Street” and Cookie Monster for teaching it to him.

When he was 3, he answered every question with the exact same response: “Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.”

Not unlike his favorite Disney princesses, Steeves had his villains. He was bullied in school for being autistic and for not complying with gender stereotypes.

“I was called every name to my face and behind my back,” the now-29-year-old said. “I didn’t even fit in with the nerds. I didn’t really have a fitting place.”

Despite autism’s effect on his communication skills, Steeves was bitten by the acting and singing bug at an early age and he set his sights on Hollywood, auditioning for “American Idol” six times by the time he was 18. He moved to California for college and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal Lutheran University in 2012.

After he graduated, Steeves struggled as an aspiring actor, taking acting classes and studying improv with the Groundlings until he decided to use his personal experiences as inspiration for his creative work.

He wrote and stars in a oneman show called “Magic 8 Ball (My Life with Asperger’s),” which premiered at the 2017 Hollywood Fringe Festival and runs this month at Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.

Through a series of questions posed to a novelty Magic 8 Ball, Steeves reveals his struggles in school and his search for love. The play won three awards at Fringe, including soaring solo artist, musical excellence and best comedy solo.

Thousand Oaks resident Gordon Durich is an actor and producer who saw Steeves perform his play in Hollywood. He said he was inspired to bring the show to a Conejo Valley audience for Autism Awareness Month.

“It’s very confronting and I think that’s what’s so great about it,” Durich said. “It really grabs you by the throat. A lot of people can relate.”

He said he wanted to bring more awareness to the realities of life with autism.

“It’s a very real and a very honest look at life and the journey he takes,” Durich said of Steeves.

Penni Wilson directs and produces the show with her sister, Crystal.

She told the Acorn that their company, Crystal Penny Productions, signed on to the project because they knew the substance of the story he was trying to tell would have a wide impact.

“It’s not just about Asperger’s,” she said. “It really goes across the board, because all kids are challenged. That doesn’t mean that they can’t overcome and triumph.”

Steeves will present “Magic 8 Ball” this summer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest theater festival in the world. Before he crosses the pond, he will stage performances throughout Southern California.