Victoria musician with autism writes songs for unique 'superhero' musical
As Sherri Upton looks back fondly on pictures from her son’s past, she remembers how Nick would play with his toys differently.
“He would turn trucks over and spin all the wheels,” Sherri says. “Rather than roll them around on the floor.”
Although it was cute, Sherri says it was also one of countless quirks that caused her to be concerned, and Nick to eventually be diagnosed with autism.
“I was afraid of him [not] being able to have a normal life,” Sherri admits. “And [not] being able to form friendships.”
Afraid that her little boy, who was also debilitatingly shy, would never be able to create a fulfilling life for himself.
But then, a few years later, when Nick was taking a cooking class for people with special needs, he noticed a guitar had been left there.
“I picked it up and started doodling around,” Nick says.
The moment made Nick feel compelled to teach himself how to play.
“I couldn’t help the enthusiasm,” he remembers.
After learning to play other people’s songs, Nick started writing his own.
“I felt like [the guitar] was made for me to be creative,” Nick says.
“We saw that there was talent there,” Sherri smiles. “And that actually gave me hope.”
Nick wrote more than an album’s worth of original material, started regularly performing at public open mic nights, and is now the musical leader for The DeviAnts.
The group of creative adults with disabilities is supported by Lifetime Networks and professional writer and performer Wes Borg.
“It’s like Homer Simpson said of [his daughter] Lisa, ‘You’re my greatest accomplishment and you did it all yourself!” Wes jokes, humbly. “Not only am I proud of you, I didn’t have to do anything!”
Wes says he’s also proud of the group’s new musical, ‘Victoria’s Secret Society of Deviant Superheroes,’ because it satirizes the comic book movie genre by being free of fisticuffs.
“Maybe we could help people without beating people up,” Wes says of the premise.
It’s a comedy that looks at comic book heroes differently, featuring original songs by the boy who used to play with trucks differently, inspiring a formerly fearful mom to feel differently.
“Now I see [Nick] coming into his own, and he’s formed really meaningful friendships with the other kids in the theatre troupe,” Sherri beams. “He just makes me incredibly proud to be his mom!”
The DeviANTS will be performing ‘Victoria’s Secret Society of Deviant Superheroes’ June 2-4 at Langham Court Theatre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.