Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic

Keith Varney’s solo show “Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic” is the kind of production that sneaks up on you. It arrives as a comedy, delivered with the confidence of a seasoned performer, yet it quietly expands into something far more ambitious. What begins as self-deprecating humor turns into an invitation to rethink how we understand autism and how much is missed when people are left to decode their own minds.

Varney approaches the subject with unguarded honesty. His stories span marriages, childhood bullying, social confusion, and the small but telling moments that make a person stop and ask why life has always felt slightly misaligned. The material is never sentimental. It is clear, unsparing, and almost startling in its commitment to truth. When he references medical research to ground his anecdotes, it does not feel like a lecture. It feels like a man finally giving language to years of lived experience.

The direction, also by Varney, is sharp. He has a knack for pacing that allows the audience to settle into the comedy before he shifts into deeper territory. There is a tension at work. He uses the rhythms of a stand-up set to lure us in, then reshapes those rhythms into something more intimate. The result is a performance that feels both playful and quietly urgent.

The set design is the one element that may divide audiences. It carries a slightly imposing quality, something close to a pulpit or a place where lessons are delivered rather than discovered. At times, it creates a preaching atmosphere, but it also heightens the sense that Varney is not hiding behind character work. He is standing in front of us with nothing but his own history, and the design pushes that clarity to the forefront.

What ultimately makes the show compelling is its balance. The jokes work. The stories land.

The message is direct without slipping into didacticism. Varney gives autistic life a texture and a specificity that many audiences have never encountered. For viewers who have never thought deeply about autism, the show becomes a form of translation. For those who have lived near it or inside it, it may feel like overdue recognition.

“Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic” is a rare production that enlightens without softening its edges. It is funny, brave, and unexpectedly moving. It is also a reminder that some of the most powerful theatre comes from people finally telling their own stories in their own way.

Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic

Performed on November 4 and November 19 at The 19th Annual United Solo Theatre Festival October 14 through November 23, 2025 Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, NYC)

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Matthew is an award-winning playwright and actor! While he loves being on the stage and writing theatrical-thought-provoking-innovational plays, his passions follow him backstage as well! As a student studying business and consulting for entertainment at the School of Professional Studies, CUNY, BBA. Matthew is honored to work on this special showcase full of talent and hardworking individuals. He's selected previous theatrical experience includes Those Who Remained at La Mama E.T.C. (Producer, Props), BMCC CUNY (stage management and performance degree), The Lake (Playwright), and Earth (playwright). He is extremely grateful for the mentors and individuals, and organizations that have given him his resources and support to keep theatre alive. @matthew.d.foster