'How To Dance In Ohio' May Be Closing, But It Leaves Broadway Changed For Good
HuffPost
Actor Caesar Samayoa hopes the musical will forever be seen as a milestone for autistic representation and accessibility in theater.
“How to Dance in Ohio” may not have enjoyed the blockbuster Broadway run its creators might have hoped for, but actor Caesar Samayoa believes the musical’s impact will be felt within New York’s theater industry for years to come.
“After the pandemic, accessibility and representation moved to the forefront of this industry, and this show is walking the walk,” Samayoa told HuffPost. “We’re going into a divisive year, and I think a lot of people are nervous about what’s to come. We need to be uplifted by human stories at this point. At our core, I think we all want to help each other move forward in life, and that’s the message of this story.”
Based on the 2015 HBO documentary of the same name, “How to Dance in Ohio” opened at New York’s Belasco Theatre in December. The show tells the story of Dr. Emilio Amigo (played by Samayoa), a clinical psychologist who runs a counseling center for young autistic people in the Buckeye State.
To encourage his clients to take their next steps toward independence and social engagement, Dr. Amigo decides to plan a formal spring dance. Unforeseen challenges ensue, however, when the event is thrust into the media spotlight.
“How to Dance in Ohio” boasts an infectious pop-rock score by Rebekah Greer Melocik and Jacob Yandura that’s been compared favorably to the scores of Tony winners like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Kimberly Akimbo.” Much of the buzz on the show, however, has emphasized its groundbreaking cast. The seven autistic characters are played by actors Desmond Luis Edwards, Amelia Fei, Madison Kopec, Liam Pearce, Imani Russell, Conor Tague and Ashley Wool, each of whom is on the autism spectrum in real life.
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