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The last few scenes from the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” are all the title character needs to convince him that his delinquent broth­ers have finally heeded their better angels. At one point, they’d hatched a plot to kill Joseph and eventually had him imprisoned — now, they offer themselves into slavery to right an unrelated wrong.

Joe and his kin are reunited, and father Jacob is over the moon to lay eyes on his long-lost son. The story maybe as old as time, but its latest mani­festation is not. The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice entry was mounted in June by Arms Wide Open, a nonprofit orga­nization designed to involve special-needs adults in the performing arts, specifically singing, dancing and acting. The group had nine dance cli­ents upon its founding in 2008; today, it holds court for about 130 adults at Arts in Motion Dance Studio, 237 East Main St., suite A in El Cajon. “I think [Arms Wide Open] creates an atmosphere and a social environment where [performers] can come and be themselves,” says founder Chris Rubio. “I have a disabled brother in my family, and I know, growing up, it’s always been a challenge for him try­ing to fit in. Arms Wide Open kind of breaks that barrier, tears down that wall, where we’ve created an atmosphere where all these disabilities come together…”

Arms Wide Open classes include jazz, bal­let and modern dance; a so-called “Triple Threat” entry including instruction in sing­ing, dancing and acting; and the group’s annual full-script production, which takes eight months to prepare. “Special-needs adults with disabilities can too shine on­stage,” Rubio adds. “They can sing. They can dance. They can act. They can tell a joke into a microphone, [and] . . . we’ve given them an opportunity to showcase it onstage, on actual­ly an amazing level. They are learning how to sing, dance and act, but what they’re re­ally getting out of this is life skills and confidence, being able to carry themselves in ev­eryday life.”

“Joseph,” the group’s ninth show, played June 14 to 23 at downtown’s Lyceum Theatre — and Rubio cites a number of reasons behind the choice. “‘Joseph’ is a true musical,” Rubio asserts, “with a good message and music from begin­ning to end, which was great for the performers. We’ve done a lot of Disney-type shows, so I wanted a challenge to keep us growing. It was a great experi­ence, and the show was phe­nomenal.” Those who saw it have con­sistently remarked on the high-quality production val­ues — and Caleb Norling, who played the title character, con­curs. “My mom was a theater teacher,” Norling, 22 explains, “and I sang in choir for four years” in his native Peoria, Ariz. “I’ve always loved musi­cal theater and when they said I got the role, I was abso­lutely blown away. I’m hum­bled to be involved in this pro­duction with all this amazing talent.” Norling, who didn’t let ce­rebral palsy stand in his way en route to a high school base­ball career, also took away the larger moral, one that finds its foundation in Joseph’s uncom­mon bravery: “Never give up; never have doubts. Always, al­ways have faith.” So concludes Arms Wide Open’s message and its man­tra to the wider community. There are more where that came from as the group em­braces its function, its mem­bers gladly — nay, defiantly — deferring to the greater good.

Human creativity knows only the boundaries of imagination. And the performing arts can be a source of self-expression that transcends physical limitations.

The performance troupe of El Cajon’s Arms Wide Open, with a cast of 80 special needs adults and children, will soon be taking to the stage for musical shows at the downtown Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza. The group presents a show annually. This year’s chosen production is entitled “Arms Wide Open Presents The Little Mermaid, Jr.” The musical is based on the Disney movie of the same name.

Chris Rubio is director of the AWO show, and his performers have been rehearsing for six and a half months. Rubio is himself a performer, an accomplished actor and singer who has appeared in Off Broadway shows, among others. He has been directing shows for AWO performers since 2007. His brother is autistic, and Rubio felt drawn toward sharing his theater skills with other special needs individuals.

“This is a creative platform, where people with special needs can express themselves on stage,” Rubio explained. “We really go all out with our projects, and we want to get audiences into the seats for our shows.”

Rubio spoke briefly, to encourage people to attend the upcoming performances, while on an intermission break at an afternoon dress rehearsal on Sunday, April 3. The practice run-through was held at Arms Wide Open’s central East County activity location, Arts in Motion. The production is already captivating, even although still in rehearsal, with video and sound that complement and enhance the actors’ and dancers’ stage presence. The show creates a magical underwater realm, where mermaids and mermen and other sea-dwellers decry the “savage” humans bobbing above the ocean’s deep.

Rubio introduced one of his two leading ladies, Ashlee Rosas, who is taking on the title role of Ariel, the enchanting little red-haired mermaid, who rescues a drowning sailor and loses her heart—and her undersea life—to be with him. 

Ashlee is 10 years old, and she has osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. Hers is a congenital lifetime disorder characterized by fragile bones that break easily. Ashlee offered to stay a few minutes to answer questions about her first-time experiences acting and singing on stage, although she would momentarily need to rush off in her wheelchair, to change costumes in the dressing room for the rehearsal’s second act.

Ashlee confided that, for her, the hardest part of performing is the quick costume changes that have to be made. “But she makes her marks every time,” Rubio said with a smile.

What does she like best?

“I have never performed before,” Ashlee said. “This is very cool. I feel amazing. This is a dream role, especially for my first time in a show.” She continued that she loves to sing and act. “I am really excited. My favorite, I think, is going to be singing ‘Part of Your World.’ It’s in the first act.”

Rubio cautioned those planning to attend the shows to expect to be inspired and deeply moved. “Bring your tissue boxes,” he said. He and his colleagues have been impressed with the talents Ashlee Rosas brings to her performance as Ariel. “On our casting panel, all of us were in tears when Ashlee sang. And in working with her, I have come to really appreciate how she carries herself in life. People should expect to be blown away by Ashlee and the whole cast in the show.”

Has the performing bug bitten Ashlee in a lasting way? Possibly. She said that she is considering a career in choreography as she grows up.

Ashlee Rosas debuts in “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” on Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m. Two rotating casts known as “Red Team” and “Blue Team” will be staging eight weekend performances, with matinee and evening shows, on April 16-17 and April 22-24. The second ingénue starring as Ariel will be Molly Lerma. Tickets cost $15 apiece and include four-hours of parking in the Horton Plaza Garage.

Arms Wide Open is a nonprofit organization with the mission of enriching the lives of individuals with special needs, through “fostering caring social environments and providing opportunities for recreation and participation in the arts.” The AWO central offices are located at 237 East Main Street in El Cajon. Show tickets can be purchased there. More information is also available by phoning (619) 579-6197 or by searching online at awosd.org. Next year’s production will be of “The Lion King.”

Arms Wide Open organization puts special-needs actors front and center in musical.

By JAMES HEBERT APRIL 21, 2015

The theater troupe Arms Wide Open only puts up one major production a year. But when it does, the show’s a blockbuster — as in the two-cast, 80-performer staging of “Peter Pan Jr.” that hits the Lyceum Theatre this week. Usually, the “junior” versions of Disney musicals are taken on by youth-theater troupes. But Arms Wide Open has a distinctive mission all its own: As a company geared toward people with special needs, it welcomes performers of all ages. The group is a nonprofit arm of Rubio’s Performing Arts, the East County organization headed by Chris Rubio. The Valhalla High School grad is a percussionist and performer who starred for years on tour with the hit show “Stomp.”

He and his family launched Arts In Motion Dance Studio in 2002. About six years later, they offered their first free class to those with special needs, and it proved so popular that in 2010 Arms Wide Open was born. (The project is something close to the family’s heart: Chris Rubio’s own brother has autism.) “Peter Pan Jr.,” directed by Rubio, will be the troupe’s fifth annual production, and this time around the actors range in age from 8 to 41, says assistant director Isi Moore. “To be honest, this will be the very first time for a lot of our cast (that) they’ll walk onstage and perform in front of an audience,” she says. “It will be the first time they’ll be able to hear cheers for them, to see standing ovations for them. “The perception of (the actors) is completely changed when people see them singing, dancing, playing musical instruments,” says Moore, whose own daughter has special needs and is in the production. “(The audience) is not going to think this is a special-needs cast.”

Troy Read (right) as Mister Smee, Charlie Lizarraga as a pirate, and other cast members rehearse for Arms Wide Open's production of "Peter Pan Jr." — Hayne Palmour IV

Moore adds that the spirit of the venture all springs from Rubio’s “devotion, his dedication. He never turns away one person who wants to be part of the show.”

And while getting the “Peter Pan” team up to speed has had its difficulties, Moore acknowledges, “that just fades away when you see a smile or get a hug.”“You’ll never see a group of kids and adults that have such an unconditional love for you. It’s like having a ray of sunshine on you ever day.”

Arms Wide Open is a non-profit organization and a labor of love conceived by the Rubio Family. Arms Wide Open is premiering what co-founder, play Director, Chris Rubio, described as a “technically advanced” production of “Aladdin” at San Diego’s Lyceum Theatre, May 15-19. Chris Rubio said the cast, consists of children and adults with special needs. They worked eight months on the production . The performance includes green-screen special effects, a live camel, two lambs, a goat and a live band. “We’ve got kids involved from different parts of the county, including Escondido and La Jolla,” Chris Rubio said. Cali Williams landed the female lead of Princess Jasmine.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Williams. “I auditioned and before I knew it, I got the callback. I was so excited.” Her mother, Becky Williams, said the influence in participating in Arms Wide Open had a profound effect in her daughter’s life. “Cali used to go to school dances and used to sit alone at the table,” she said. “She was too shy to participate. Now she has blossomed. If it weren’t for Chris Rubio, she would still be in her shell.” Myra Johnson expressed her gratitude for the organization for its wide reaching, transformational impact. “The coolest part is to see how everyone involved loves it,” said Johnson. “This place gives these individuals a chance to shine and celebrate their special talents. The self-esteem that they experience is huge and it transforms their lives.”

Yvonne Rubio (Production Manager/Founder- said her other son is the seed from which the concept stemmed.“Joshua is severely autistic,” she said. “Although he can’t participate, this program is a result of having him in my life.” This program, she said, helps to connect these kids and adults with one another, lifting them from isolation and fostering a sense of belonging through the transcendent power and joy of the performing arts.Excitement of being involved in such a lavish production extends beyond being center stage for the highly enthused cast of 63.

“Arms Wide Open provides the opportunity for these individuals to not only be in the limelight, but it gives them a sense of being connected,” said Chris Rubio. “Here, they express themselves as a family. The program has fostered confidence, acceptance and it provides a much-needed social outlet for them. Often times, they’ve experienced seclusion and a sense of being separate from social activities. Here they interact, forming friendships and special bonds. I forget that they’re special needs. They’re just like everybody else.”

“It’s been a godsend to us” is how Becky Williams describes the Arms Wide Open troupe at Rubio’s Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. Williams’ daughter, Cali, was born with Down’s Syndrome, and the Arms Wide Open program run by Chris Rubio has opened up an opportunity for Cali to participate in the Special Needs Dance and Movement class for children and young adults.

“It’s been a godsend to us” is how Becky Williams describes the Arms Wide Open troupe at Rubio’s Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. Williams’ daughter, Cali, was born with Down’s Syndrome, and the Arms Wide Open program run by Chris Rubio has opened up an opportunity for Cali to participate in the Special Needs Dance and Movement class for children and young adults.

Williams says Rubio is “wonderful” with the young adults. “He gets to know each individual child.” Cali, 24, has been active with the group for three years.

The Arms Wide Open troupe has various activities for their own: they have participated in the “Autism Speaks Walk,” done brunch on the Bay, and had a “Rockin House of Terror” on Halloween to name a few.

Now they are in rehearsals for a production of Aladdin and Cali was cast in a lead part – Jasmine.
“Cali was so excited when she got the call back from Chris,” after auditioning for the role. “She is a little shy and this has helped her grow.” Williams further elaborated.

“He’s so excited” says Lolo Millwood about her Matthew “Matty” Millwood, who is also in the production. Matty and Cali were cast in early November.

“The kids are very close; they look out for each other.” Williams continued to describe the close-knit troupe.
That said—the audience should be looking out for them—the Aladdin production will run May 14-19, 2013 at the Lyceum Theatre in downtown San Diego.

Watch out for Chris Rubio’s other dance groups as well; Chris is currently preparing a dance troupe that is supposed to participate in the “America’s Got Talent” TV show.