Producers Ben Holtzman ’13 (he/him), Sammy Lopez ’13 (he/him), Fiona Howe Rudin (she/her) and 黑料不打烊 Stage announce that are now on sale for the world premiere musical 鈥溾€� With rehearsals scheduled to begin in 黑料不打烊 in August, the full creative team has been finalized.
鈥淗ow to Dance in Ohio鈥� is inspired by Alexandra Shiva鈥檚 Peabody Award-winning documentary of the same name. With book and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik (she/her), music by Jacob Yandura (he/him), choreography by Mayte Natalio (she/her) and direction by Sammi Cannold (she/her), 鈥淗ow to Dance in Ohio鈥� is scheduled as the 2022/2023 season opener at 黑料不打烊 Stage and will run Sept. 21 to Oct. 9, 2022. Tickets are available at or at the 黑料不打烊 Stage Box Office (315-443-3275).
The full creative team includes scenic designer Robert Brill (鈥淐abaret,鈥� 鈥淎in鈥檛 Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,鈥� 鈥淭houghts of a Colored Man鈥�) co-costume designers Sarafina Bush (鈥淔or Colored Girls . . .鈥�) and Michael Ryan Andolsek, lighting designer Bradley King (Tony Awards 鈥淗adestown鈥� and 鈥淣atasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812鈥�) and sound designer Connor Wang. Music direction is by Lily Ling (she/her) with music supervision by Matt Gallagher. Scott Rowen (he/him) is the production stage manager and Laura Jane Collins (she/her) the assistant stage manager. Mary McGowan (she/her) is the associate director, Justin Prescott (he/him) the associate choreographer, and Nicole D鈥橝ngelo (they/she) the music associate.
The 鈥淗ow to Dance in Ohio鈥� cast includes Tony Award-winning 鈥淩ent鈥� star Wilson Jermaine Heredia (he/him), Broadway veterans and seven autistic actors. Heredia leads the cast as Dr. Emilio Amigo, alongside Haven Burton (she/her; 鈥淪hrek the Musical,鈥� 鈥淰iolet鈥�) as Teresa, Darlesia Cearcy (she/her; 鈥淪huffle Along,鈥� 鈥淥nce On This Island鈥�) as Johanna, Carlos L. Encinias (he/him; 鈥淟es Mis茅rables,鈥� 鈥淢amma Mia!鈥�) as Kurt, Desmond Edwards (he/him) as Remy, Amelia Fei (she/her) as Caroline, Nick Gaswirth (he/him; 鈥淣atasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812鈥�) as Michael, Melina Kalomas (she/her) as Amy, Madison Kopec (she/her) as Marideth, Liam Pearce (he/him) as Drew, Marina Pires (she/her; 鈥淎laddin,鈥� 鈥淥n Your Feet!鈥�) as Ashley Amigo, Imani Russell (they/them) as Melissa, Conor Tague (he/him) as Tommy, and Ashley Wool (she/her) as Jessica. Elana Babbitt (she/her), Corrine Ferrer (she/her), and Zach Simpson (he/him) are the understudies. Imri Leshed (they/he) and Nicole Fazia (they/she) are the swings.
鈥淗ow to Dance in Ohio鈥� is a heartwarming new musical that explores what it means to belong, the courage it takes to put yourself out in the world, and the universal need to connect. Based on Shiva鈥檚 award-winning documentary, produced by HBO in 2015, the musical follows the challenges and exhilarations faced by a group of seven autistic young adults at a counseling center in Columbus, Ohio. With the support of clinical psychologist Dr. Emilio Amigo, the center arranges a spring formal dance, and encourages them as they encounter love, fear, stress, excitement and hope, along the path to human connection.
Through a dedication to authentic autistic representation, the musical鈥檚 creators adhere closely to the documentary鈥檚 narrative and spirit, offering a visible platform for autistic actors in a way that has never happened before in a new musical, both on and off the stage. Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt (she/her) serves as the production鈥檚 ASD creative consultant with Becky Leifman ’10 (she/her) as the director of community engagement. Additional administrative support will be provided by associate producer Jeremy Wein (he/him), assistant producer Keara Moon (she/her) and producing intern Pua Tanielu (she/her).
The musical was originally developed with the legendary Broadway director Harold Prince and is dedicated to his instrumental work on the project. The production has received support from the Prince Fellowship and the Shubert Organization鈥檚 Artistic Circle. Holtzman, Leifman and Lopez are alumni of 黑料不打烊.
About P3 Productions
is a Tony Award-winning producing team led by Ben Holtzman (he/him), Sammy Lopez (he/him), and Fiona Howe Rudin (she/her). Upcoming Productions: How to Dance in Ohio (World Premiere: 黑料不打烊 Stage), Gun & Powder, Midsummer, Bradical, and projects with award-winning artists John Leguizamo and Shakina Nayfack. Select Co-Producing/Investment credits: Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, A Christmas Carol, Be More Chill, The Kite Runner, and A Strange Loop (with A Choir Full Productions), and others. Keara Moon (she/her) serves as the company鈥檚 assistant producer with Pua Tanielu (she/her) as the producing intern.
About 黑料不打烊 Stage
Founded in 1974, 黑料不打烊 Stage is the non-profit, professional theatre company in residence at 黑料不打烊. It is nationally recognized for creating stimulating theatrical work that engages Central New York and significantly contributes to the artistic life of 黑料不打烊, where it is a vital partner in achieving the educational mission of the University鈥檚 Department of Drama. 黑料不打烊 Stage鈥檚 mission is to tell stories that engage, entertain and inspire people to see life beyond their own experience.聽Each season 70,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays, and bold interpretations of classics and musicals, featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves more than 21,000 students from 16 counties. 黑料不打烊 Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. 黑料不打烊 Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country.
