HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO

REVIEW BY CELIA IPIOTIS

Even the most adjusted teenagers (an oxymoron?)  can deflate under the pressure of an upcoming senior prom or any formal dance. But when it comes to a likeable group of neuro divergent students, it can be debilitating.

Broadway’s How To Dance in Ohio spotlights a group of autistic teens meeting with a counselor who suggests they organize a sparkly dance. Meant to prepare them for the unpredictability of life, friendships and perplexing romantic entanglements, they make the necessary plans amidst rampant angst.

Emotionally distracted by the break-up of his marriage, Dr. Amigo (Caesar Samayoa) runs the Amigo Family Counseling center in Ohio for students on the spectrum. Assisted by his daughter (Cristina Sastre) who’s nursing a leg injury that might be jeopardizing her Juilliard dance career, he becomes keenly invested in the students’ futures, to the point of trying to dictate their trajectories.

Although the action centers the students,  parents contribute to the understanding of these issues as family events, not just something experienced by a single individual. In the end, Mr. Amigo proves even the best meaning, sympathetic health caretakers can seriously misjudge what is best for their clients.

Two belters, Johanna (Darlesia Cearcy) and Terry (Haven Burton) knock the energy up a few notches every time they power through duets. However, each of the seven actors fully adopt their characters with a strong performance by Collin Hancock (who stepped in for Liam Pearce) and the complicated but deeply sensitive Marideth (Madison Kopec).

Based on the award-winning HBO Documentary of the same name, this heart-warming production features book and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik to the music of Jacob Yandura. A reflective score supports a story of courage framed by missed opportunities and personal redemption. Light-handedly directed by Sammi Cannold the choreography by Mayte Natalio, adds personality details however, the moves remain very much inside the pedestrian radar.

What becomes apparent is how intelligence is manifested in a multitude of beautiful and mysterious shapes, and forms. 

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Celia Ipiotis