How to Dance in Ohio is a unique songbird because unlike most movie-based shows of recent memory, it can stand on its own two feet and it doesn't feel like an exact replication or imitation. A lot of this seemed brand-new to me, even as someone who has seen the documentary.
Sammi Cannold was right next to me the entire show with her pen and notepad, taking up the couple of pages she had left throughout the duration of the performance. Jacob Yandura was two rows in front of me and off to the left a bit, and I spotted Mayte Natalio as well. They are all very kind individuals.
The cast — full company was in this afternoon — is uniformly excellent, but I must shout out Liam Pearce who is making a stunning Broadway debut. Caesar Samayoa and Cristina Sastre do some fine work as the Amigos.
The film spends the most time spotlighting Caroline, Marideth, and Jessica in particular, but the musical gives the seven young adults pretty much equal stage time (until Pearce's Drew becomes a bit more prominent in the final 15 mins or so). They truly felt like the collective center of the piece.
Much of the score is not instantly hummable upon first listen, but it moves the show along at a nice pace. I would even dare say that a few snippets of Bruce Coughlin's orchestrations sound a bit Sondheimy. I look forward to the cast recording when it releases.
And FWIW, I went with someone who saw a workshop of the material a couple of years ago and thought today was much improved.
Stage door: Five of the seven co-leads signed. Samayoa, Melina Kalomas, Nick Gaswirth, and Haven Burton also came out (and it is GREAT to have her back on Broadway). Was very quick today!
This is a sweet little show that wears its heart on its sleeve. Whether it catches on or not, though, is the $16 million question.
“I am furious, but I am sailing.”
Updated On: 12/6/23 at 06:12 PM
