HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO Broadway Previews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/13/23 at 9:24am

Based on the award-winning HBO documentary, How to Dance in Ohio is a heart-filled new musical exploring the need to connect and the courage it takes to step out into the world. At a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio, seven autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal dance—a rite of passage that breaks open their routines and sets off hilarious and heartbreaking encounters with love, stress, excitement, and independence. How to Dance in Ohio is a story about people standing on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing their hopes and fears, ready to make a very big first move…and dance.

Broadway Previews begin at the Belasco Theatre on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 11/13/23 at 9:50am

I really look forward to seeing this. As someone who has ASD, and I am not ashamed to say that, I feel proud to see actors, who also have ASD, to be representing many both myself and others who have different types of ASD on the Broadway stage. 

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 11/13/23 at 12:12pm

I'll be there on the 15th!

[Pro-1686404964]

Posted: 11/13/23 at 8:30pm

Very much looking forward.  Brother with ASD got my interest.  But the music that has been released has me hooked.  There on the 15th as well.

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 11/13/23 at 9:58pm

Out of curiosity, are there any other Broadway musicals that have been produced with "in memoriam" credits?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 12:00am

Each small victory can feel gigantic.

Momentum has built for months, and now it’s finally here: How to Dance in Ohio begins Broadway previews tomorrow (November 15), prior to a December 10 official opening. Leading the cast is Caesar Samayoa as Dr. Emilio Amigo, plus Desmond Edwards, Amelia Fei, Madison Kopec, Liam Pearce, Conor Tague, Ashley Wool, and Imani Russell — all seven of them autistic young adults playing neurodivergent characters in their Broadway debuts. How to Dance in Ohio features music by Jacob Yandura, lyrics and book by Rebekah Greer Melocik, choreography by Mayte Natalio, and direction by Sammi Cannold.

Who else is getting ready for the dance?

Updated On: 11/14/23 at 12:00 AM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 12:32am

Hey, Zelda! said: "Out of curiosity, are there any other Broadway musicals that have been produced with "in memoriam" credits?"

Probably not but this was ment to be Hal's show, the idea was essentially his, he gave early drafts notes and their is audio of him discussing it ect

[Pro-1686404964]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 10:04am

Looking forward to the first preview for this groundbreaking musical.   The world needs to Dance in Ohio.  

Updated On: 11/15/23 at 10:04 AM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 5:16pm

Anyone else going tonight? Looks nearly sold out

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 10:23pm

Excited to read reports!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 11:00pm

Telecharge lists a 2:20 runtime (including intermission).

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 11:24pm

This is a sweet story told by a lovely, talented cast. Of course, it is absolutely beautiful and important to see this type of diversity and representation on Broadway.

Unfortunately, the talented cast is about where my praise ends. The material is not the best. The show tonight ran a little over two hours and 40 minutes but it easily felt like three and a half hours to me. Aside from the song “Building Momentum,” the score is quite bland and is basically ballad after ballad after ballad with an occasional group number here and there. It sounds like a generic/lite version of Dear Evan Hansen. 

I found Act 2 to be far superior to the overlong and often boring Act 1, because in the second act, at least some stakes finally come into play and you start to care about the characters. But it takes way too long into the show to finally start caring.

While the physical production serves the story fine, it looks cheap. The direction is serviceable, if a bit overdone (what purpose does a turntable have in telling this story?). 

I really wanted to root for this show. I love the premise and saw so much potential. But its current iteration, particularly with this book and score, did not land for me at all.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 11:29pm

I saw the out of town last year and my thoughts were basically the same. Super bummed, was hoping they did the work on this one but it doesn’t seem like they did (or it just wasn’t enough). The score is definitely Dear Evan Hansen lite and a total snooze.

[Pro-1686404964]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 11:33pm

Loved tonight.  Laughed, cried, felt like I was part of something really special. Hard to believe this was only the first preview.  More tomorrow when I have had some coffee.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 12:29am

For those who like an orchestra breakdown:

1. Conductor/Keys 1
2. Keys 2
3. Violin
4. Cello
5. Reeds
6. French Horn
7. Drums/Perc
8. Guitars
9. Bass

Orchestrated by Bruce Coughlin

[Idontwantthis5]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 12:45am

Oh how I adored this. What a sweet little gem of a show!

They do have some work to do: the sound mixing was far too quiet, particularly in the first act, and all of the onstage transitions need to be tightened (my admiration to Liam Pearce and Imani Russell, who handled a fallen prop with ease during a moment where it could have jammed into the turntable track). The first act needs trimming, particularly in regards to Dr.Amigo's introductory number (his section overlasts about thirty seconds compared to the verses taken by the parents, which hit the sweet spot.)

HOWEVER

These little nibbles are nothing compared to the joy I felt in that room tonight. The audience roared to life the moment the cast hit the stage, and I found myself tearing up with them: the core seven actors have developed such a sharp sense of relationship (in particularly Desmond Edwards, who positively glows with energy during their solo moments), and as this was all their Broadway debut performance, I have faith that their timing will fall into place with a bit more experience in front of an audience. That is what previews are for!

I found the book to be quite well crafted (in particular the deft characterization), and left the theatre humming a melody not previously released (Slow Dancing, performed with vivid confidence by Amelia Fei) which is RARE for me these days with new musicals. To me, the biggest revelations are Liam Pearce and Darlesia Cearcy.

As a Cearcy fan for several years now, I knew she would be incredible, but WOW is she indispensable here. Her voice is like olive oil over warm bread, and her comedic timing lifted every single scene in which she appeared: I hope all of the young cast members are looking to her as an influence, because she has "it" in spades. After decades of thankless work as an understudy and replacement, I pray this is finally the moment that she breaks into the mainstream. If you don't tear up during her duet "Getting Ready for the Dance" I need to check you for a pulse.

As for Pearce, I can simply say "WOW". What a star. Charisma oozing out of every pore, you could practically feel the audience's heartstrings tighten when he knelt down to tie a shoe (I won't spoil the moment beyond that).

I am very excited to see how this continues to be refined throughout previews, and for more audiences to see it. The most I have enjoyed a new musical since the pandemic, and potentially my favorite score since Fun Home.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 1:34am

Is this "The Prom"?

Updated On: 11/16/23 at 01:34 AM

[JaglinSays]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 2:22am

It’s all very earnest. The Prom was marginally better. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 3:53am

Decent songs, decent performances, a set design that looks cheap.

So much potential that feels like The Prom "lite" sadly.

Also for all the representation onstage I wish I had a better idea of who behinds the scenes was representing the autistic community on this show. 

 

 

[LuckyDipster]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 8:14am

ElephantLoveMedley said: "...ballad after ballad after ballad..."

Oh dear.  I was considering going to this one, but too many ballads and I tend to lose the will to live. 😒

[BETTY22]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 8:50am

I wanted to love this show.....and hope they use previews to make big changes. 

Although, I'm not sure the score and other elements will/can change enough in the time they have. 

Fingers crossed 

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 9:08am

I was there last night and my guest and I loved it. It was fun, uplifting, and the cast hit it out of the park. From the start of the show, we were rooting for the seven kids. They didn't let us down.

My one quibble with the show is that it could be tightened. It was 2 hours and 40 minutes and they need to lose 20 minutes. The writers clearly wanted to give each of the seven kids moments to shine and also show ways in which their teacher and their parents are learning and growing. That's wonderful but it's also a lot to cram into one evening. I imagine they'll get there by opening night.

I didn't see "The Prom" on stage but I saw it on Netflix and this does have a similar feel in the sense that it's all building to this one dance. Also, the opening number was reminiscent of "Kimberly Akimbo" in that they keep singing about where they are ("In Ohio"/"In New Jersey"). None of this bothered me.

Being a first preview, the crowd was WILD. I was so happy the cast got this moment and this reception -- they deserved all of the love in that room last night!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 10:36am

I'm rooting for this, but am gunshy to purchase tickets. I can't quite find the right words to describe why, either. 

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 11:04am

I think while any/all comparisons to that of THE PROM and other similar coming of age contemporary musicals are appropriate (after all, it is a full-priced Broadway musical), I’d encourage people to remember what this is. I think the impotence of the project is a lot more about giving neurodivergent representation a place in the mainstream commercial theatre cycle. The Broadway run may not be the most artistically groundbreaking or challenging piece of art ever, but I can’t help to be excited at the prospect of the show touring and families getting to take their neurodivergent kids to this. Or the THOUSANDS of schools and amateur programs that will license such an easy to produce, upbeat, and tuneful piece in a heartbeat. Because they will. I feel I have never seen a show that I think will play so well in the licensing world a few years down the line as this can. It felt made for it. Given the ethos of the project, I think that’s okay and that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve to be platformed on Broadway for a short while as it establishes itself.

Feeding into a separate thought about the show itself, it’s fun and there are some great heartwarming moments and songs, but don’t go into it expecting a splashy/flashy Casey Nicholaw number ala Prom’s “It’s Time To Dance” to tie it off (at least in terms of sheer athleticism). It’s a lower energy piece in that sense, but if there’s one show on Broadway I’m okay with that, it’s this one. Go grab a drink, support this project and cry up a storm at the Belasco while you do it.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 11:12am

This is such a sweet and wholesome show. This will be really successful for schools and regional theaters. Not everything needs to come to Broadway but I hope people love it.