Warren woman will make autism play available on DVD

Rebecca Maher’s play about autism has touched many Ohioans. Now she plans to put it on DVD so that people everywhere can see it.

Maher, of Warren, is the mother of an autistic child. She used her experiences to write and perform her one-woman show, “Pancakes and a Lobster Tank: Living with Autism, Loving Alex.”

The play premiered in 2010 at Kent-Trumbull Theater, and Maher has since taken it to venues across the state. The humorous but emotionally raw play offers a look at the challenges and triumphs of autism.

Autism affects 1 in 110 children nationwide, and it also poses a daily challenge for the people who love and care for those children. By capturing her play on DVD, Maher could provide inspiration and support for people across the world. Audience members who just witnessed a performance often ask her to record the play.

She plans to film her next performances, which will be at 7:30 p.m. April 6 and 7 at Kent-Trumbull campus theater, 4314 Mahoning Ave., Champion. For reservations, go to autismplay.com.

To cover production costs, Maher has launched a project on the KickStarter website with a goal of raising $4,000. Her project expires Jan. 13 at 1:21 p.m. KickStarter works on an all-or-nothing basis, which means that if the project doesn’t meet its financial goal, Maher will not receive any of the contributions. To donate, go to kickstarter.com and search for the title of the play.

Cable-TV company reveals most popular films in regions

Time Warner Cable has released its list of the most popular films of 2011 in its Akron-Canton-Youngstown-Mansfield district, as determined by customer orders from its Movies on Demand service.

The cable-television provider does not break down orders by city, so it’s impossible to get the top 10 for just Youngstown.

The list isn’t scientific and doesn’t prove anything, but it is mildly enlightening. Eight of the films are comedies. Here is the list:

1. “Hall Pass”

2. “Bridesmaids”

3. “Little Fockers”

4. “Due Date”

5. “Bad Teacher”

6. “Red”

7. “Unstoppable”

8. “Just Go With It”

9. “Horrible Bosses”

10. “The Dilemma”

sUPER BOWL TROPHIES ON DISPLAY AT CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER

Visitors to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh can see all six of the Steelers Super Bowl trophies this week. The hardware will be on display through New Year’s Day.

The science center, located next to Heinz Field, where the Steelers play, is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Viewing the trophies is free with a general-admission ticket ($17.95, $11.95 for children), and visitors can bring a camera for photos. Go to Carnegie- ScienceCenter.org for more information.