HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO to close on February 11 — Page 4

i managed to catch this before it closed

u cant force ppl to want to attend a show

u cant force ppl to like a show once they see it

there are at least two compelling factors

a subject matter that interests a potential audience which can also come from word of mouth

a unique combination of elements like direction choreography lighting music lyrics etc which make the production more than the sum of its parts

if neither are present you are unlikely to build a commercial audience for the show

HTDIO didnt have enough of either

not enough ppl cared about the subject matter or were even lured by curiosity

all of the production elements were lackluster and werent unique enough to the subject matter

broadway is commercial theatre and what succeeds financially enough to have a respectable run needs to live in that world and by those rules

 

Licensing rights acquired by MTI

Show is FINALLY available for licensing.

…I don’t think we have to worry about this show being widely produced enough for that to be a major problem. 

Kad said: "I’m sure Chris Peterson at OnStage Blog will be on the case to bring the hammer down onto a small community theater if it happens."


too true

that guy needs to get a life

 

Here is the show’s official position on non-neurodivergent casting.

“A note from the authors –

Our ambition while writing How to Dance in Ohio was to amplify and center Autistic artists and to tell a joyful story about community and inclusion. If you’re wanting to do this show, we assume this is an interest of yours as well. We encourage you to collaborate with the Autistic and neurodivergent artists in your community, onstage and off.

That said, we recognize you may not have seven Autistic or neurodivergent actors in your community, and that’s okay. If you feel passionately about telling this story, we want you to tell it. Theater is an incredible tool to understand one another. By stepping into the role of someone whose life experience is vastly different from our own, we can exercise empathy and learn about their strengths and struggles.

Furthermore, neurodivergence is multifaceted, Autism is a spectrum, and not everyone receives a formal or early diagnosis. Rebekah is not herself Autistic, but has Tourette Syndrome and greatly relates to the themes of masking and burnout in the show. Jacob’s sister received evaluations for years before she received an Autism diagnosis at age nineteen. Strangers have written to us that they sought Autism diagnoses after recognizing themselves in the characters in our show. It’s not true that “everyone is a little bit Autistic,” but we can all celebrate the beautiful complexity of different human neurotypes.

Please lead with respect. This show is based on real people and their real experiences. Before we began writing, we visited the folks at Amigo Family Counseling so they could ask us questions about our adaptation. One group member asked us, “Will the actors in your show use an ‘Autism accent’?” They were referring to offensive stereotypes of Autistic traits in media, including monotone pitch or unusual speech rhythms. Please bring your authentic self and experiences to the characters, and avoid using an ‘Autism accent.’

However you fit into this neurodiverse world, we hope your production of How to Dance in Ohio brings your community the same compassionate curiosity and heart-forward fellowship that we experienced while creating it.

With gratitude and humility,

Rebekah Greer Melocik and Jacob Yandura”

Falsettolands said: "In spite of everything, that is a very beautiful statement."

I concur. The fact that they have the foresight to acknowledge this issue and create compassionate guidance for potential licensees is actually quite refreshing to see. 

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "Kad said: "…I don’t think we have to worry about this show being widely produced enough for that to be a major problem."

Agreed. It’s a very niche casting requirement for a pretty poorly executed, non popular Broadway flop. This title isn’t selling tickets."

This isn't going to be West Side Story, but it is a fairly non-offense show with a mid-sizecast and is a "Broadway" title. It will get some productions, if not MTI wouldn't have picked it up"

This show requires a very specific casting net. If I understand correctly it is for autistic actors. Never for actors acting autistic. That’s not a dime a dozen, community theater, regional hit making casting call. Yes to it being done but also the scope is limited. 

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "you might want to scroll up a few posts to see why your comment is wrong"

I stand corrected. I just read it. I think they’re saying that now bc they want the show licensed, but in the cancel culture that is the world we live in this is very dangerous territory. If people can perform these roles with grace, go to it. 

They were so proud of their Broadway casting and would’ve never cast non neurodivergent actors, so this is surprising. Regardless to the actors in it, the show isn’t very good. 
 

 

One of the absolute worst musicals ive ever seen.  Even worse than Frozen

Maybe they’re just trying to keep all their bases covered with this title? Didn’t MTI have to change the contract a while back to specify which characters are black because a theatre performed Hairspray in blackface?

The score has some really good songs - the original demo they released for it with "Building Momentum" and "So Much in Common" made a few of my musical theater playlists that year.

Here's the bottom line, if you don't like the show, don't produce it, act it in it, or see it when it's mounted near you. Find a show you do like and support it.