HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO Opening Night Critics’ Reviews- Page 5

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 12:38pm

This afternoon’s performance has been cancelled due to illness; tonight’s show is still on at the moment. 

[All So Ozmopolitan]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 1:28pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Can't figure out how to share a link, but the show is doing paid ads on social via these awful Tiktok-style influencer videos. I've seen 3 of them and they all follow the same format: a female does a wintertime activity in the area (skating, Bryant Park market, dinner, etc), then goes to the show with a friend or their kid, they sit in the balcony, they talk about the show using the provided talking points / highlighting the autistic cast & accessibility, some of them are seen stagedooring & hugging the cast, then it ends with a discount code. One of them had someone filming them during the show as they cried their eyes out (which is odd because I don't think of this as a "crying" musical...the emotions don't really go that far).

Feels cloying and desperate to me, but they don't have much else to work with."

To be fair, I will say that I've seen a recent surge of "influencers" creating these same types of Instagram ads for Chicago, Spamalot, and probably others (but I skip past them quickly). So while I understand the point you're trying to make, I think it's more likely that this is just one form of Broadway advertising in the digital age. Of course a show about teenagers is going to try to market itself towards teenagers. 

Also, certain elements of the show are quite emotional - especially if you have a personal connection to the material. The woman next to me bawled and afterwards, I overheard her apologize and explain that her father is autistic. We all bring different sets of experiences to the theatre.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 1:38pm

Barring a miracle the show is closing February 18th

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 4:54pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Barring a miracle the show is closing February 18th"

Is this actual industry information or are you just making a prediction? Can we not do that? Am I the only one who thinks it's rude to say when a show will close? Even as a joke- not funny 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 7:14pm

The inclusion of the date makes me think this is actual insider info. We’ll see.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 7:34pm

hearthemsing22 said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Barring a miracle the show is closing February 18th"

Is this actual industry information or are you just making a prediction? Can we not do that? Am I the only one who thinks it's rude to say when a show will close? Even as a joke- not funny"

jokes tend to be funny so....

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 8:25pm

What is RUDE about the probable truth of a struggling show's imminent closure?  If you think the actors are unaware of their standing, you're nuts. 

Talking about it doesn't make it happen anymore than expecting it to help by not talking about it 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 9:27pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "This afternoon’s performance has been cancelled due to illness; tonight’s show is still on at the moment."

Did tonight's show go on? If so, what were the u/s?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/3/24 at 9:30pm

ACL2006 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "This afternoon’s performance has been cancelled due to illness; tonight’s show is still on at the moment."

Did tonight's show go on? If so, what were the u/s?"

Yes. Collin Hancock on for Drew (he made his Broadway debut yesterday), Ayanna Nicole Thomas on for Remy, Marina Pires on for Amy/Shauna, and my fellow college graduate Hunter Hollingsworth is making his Broadway debut as Tommy!

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 1/5/24 at 7:40am

Goodness knows no one asked for another hot take on this show, but after seeing it last night I'm a little surprised and disappointed by all of the viscerally negative reactions to the show. I can think of so many mediocre musicals that have gotten better responses than this show. I agree, you are not immune to criticism just because you are tackling uncharted theatrical waters and topics that aren't usually explored onstage...but the show leads with joy and celebration of the character's differences rather than bogging it with adversity. Sure, no one wants to pay top dollar for mid, but c'mon. This is the message board that told me I should go see Tootsie. I will never get that time back.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/5/24 at 10:59am

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Barring a miracle the show is closing February 18th"

Is this actual industry information or are you just making a prediction? Can we not do that? Am I the only one who thinks it's rude to say when a show will close? Even as a joke- not funny"

jokes tend to be funny so...."

Nope. Not always. 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/6/24 at 1:51am

dramamama611 said: "What is RUDE about the probable truth of a struggling show's imminent closure? If you think the actors are unaware of their standing, you're nuts.

Talking about it doesn't make it happen anymore than expecting it to help by not talking about it"

In short, there is nothing rude about it. This is the nature of the business. Shows open, some do well, some don't; eventually they all close. Speculating about when a show will close, when the theatre will be available,  and what show will next take the theatre is all part of being a Broadway show. Theatre owners make these speculations, producers make these speculations, investors make these speculations, actors make these speculations, and audiences make these speculations. Anyone who finds this rude is ignorant to the industry itself and how important such speculation is.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/6/24 at 3:27pm

This board was NEVER pro Tootsie.  I'm sure there were individuals cheering it on - there always are, but it was not the overwhelming tone.  (I remember people thinking Santino's performance was excellent, but that's about it.)  

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 1/6/24 at 4:27pm

Falsettolands said: "Sure, no one wants to pay top dollar for mid, but c'mon. This is the message board that told me I should go see Tootsie. I will never get that time back."

I think you're touching on something really interesting here. For me, putting aside all issues of quality, How To Dance in Ohio is a feel good story with it's heart in the right place. Tootsie, which I was shocked how much I loved when I saw it, is kind of the opposite. The main character is an entitled, toxic person who doesn't get a happy ending. 

I personally thought the execution on Tootsie was impressive, but if that's not the energy you're looking for from a night out... who cares? 

For a show that leads with joy, How To Dance In Ohio is a solid option. For people who want that vibe and a great show, Come from Away is still on Apple TV+. 

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 1/6/24 at 8:26pm

I was at today's matinee. I loved the inclusivity at the theater, like the cool-down space and the cast message at the beginning. 

All seven neurodivergent actors are excellent and elevate mediocre material/songs. They don't have much to do in act 2 until "Building Momentum," though.

Which dovetails with the main criticism on this board (that I agree with): there's too much focus on the adults. The prom dress scene would be more powerful if it was from the kids' perspective rather than the parents (and after seeing Darlesia Cearcy in Shuffle Along, she could've sleepwalked through this role given what little is required of her).

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Both big developments in the Drew storyline also come from neurotypical characters. The news of the college acceptance comes from his parents and it's Dr. Amigo who calls the school. 

I love what this show is trying to do, but they needed to go back to the drawing board to make it truly successful.

[itsshowtime2]

Posted: 1/11/24 at 1:45pm

Does anyone know if they are stilling doing the $50 rush thing?

It said "Through the end of 2023, a majority of unsold seats for each performance will be sold for $50 at the box office."

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/13/24 at 6:11pm

Andrew Kober is joining the company "for a few weeks" in February as Michael/Derek.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/13/24 at 6:15pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Andrew Kober is joining the company "for a few weeks" in Februaryas Michael/Derek."

Nice hire. Hope Nick Gaswirth is okay. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 1/14/24 at 10:55am

 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 1/15/24 at 3:56pm

Interesting take here from an autistic influencer about the show. But more interesting is the cast arguing with people in the comments. A choice.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2DOKyPv9Vd/?igsh=ZDE1MWVjZGVmZQ%3D%3D

 

[emlo99]

Posted: 1/15/24 at 5:53pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "Interesting take here from an autistic influencer about the show. But more interesting is the cast arguing with people in the comments. A choice.

 

Do they have nothing better to do? Today is Monday so I suppose they’re off tonight and bored. I thought today was Tuesday, so I came on here to see last week's grosses. I am just now realizing today is Monday lol. oh well, I’ll continue:

One of the commenters on that post mentioned how the show focuses on the white characters, and she’s not wrong. I was so annoyed that the show turns the autistic women into boy-crazy little girls that I didn’t even think about the race aspect.

Personally I hope another commenter is right and that the show is closing on February 18th because I can’t stand seeing ads for it and I can’t stand hearing about how “amazing” it was from verbal, able-bodied autistic people who can see themselves represented.

Updated On: 1/15/24 at 05:53 PM

[mshalo18]

Posted: 1/15/24 at 7:24pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "Interesting take here from an autistic influencer about the show. But more interesting is the cast arguing with people in the comments. A choice.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2DOKyPv9Vd/?igsh=ZDE1MWVjZGVmZQ%3D%3D

"

The inexperience of everyone associated with this show is mind-boggling, and they all need to just stay away from social media. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/19/24 at 2:13am

Full Cast Album just surprised dropped digitally.

Also the show is now set to close February 4th... 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/19/24 at 9:03am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Andrew Kober is joining the company "for a few weeks" in Februaryas Michael/Derek."

Welp, probably not now if they're announcing their closing date today of Feb. 4.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/19/24 at 9:11am

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Full Cast Album just surprised dropped digitally.

Also the show is now set to close February 4th..."

Where did you see that it was closing?