‘How to Dance in Ohio,’ groundbreaking play with autistic cast, ends Syracuse run because of Covid

The Spectrum Seven in Syracuse

Seven of the actors in How to Dance in Ohio, a play about autism, have autism. Conor Tague (Tommy), Imani Russell (Mel), Desmond Edwards (Remy), Ashley Wool (Jessica), Amelia Fei (Caroline), Nicole Fazia (understudy), Madison Kopec (Marideth). Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. -- “How to Dance in Ohio” has canceled the rest of its world premiere run at Syracuse Stage as a wave of Covid-19 continues to spread through its cast and crew.

The groundbreaking show, featuring a core cast of autistic actors, opened Sept. 21 to rave reviews. It brought standing ovations even on a rainy middle-of-the-week night.

“Even with understudies and continual attempts by the production team to find a way forward, we have run out of viable options to proceed,” Jill Anderson, managing director of Syracuse Stage, said in an email. “We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this news brings to the ‘Ohio’ team and patrons.”

The show had several understudies in place and was strictly adhering to the Actors Equity Association Covid protocols, but the number of cases still rose to a point that made it impossible to continue.

Onondaga County is currently experiencing high levels of Covid-19; the CDC recommends wearing masks inside.

The show had been doing regular testing and had strict Covid-19 protocols in place, said Joanna Lynn Penalva, a spokeswoman for Syracuse Stage.

The show’s trouble began Saturday evening, when, 25 minutes after the play was to start, the audience was told there would be no show. One of the actors had suddenly fallen ill. Later, Syracuse Stage canceled the rest of the weekend shows but was hopeful that production would begin again today.

Even with its shortened run, the show had buzz that kept audiences in Syracuse raving and connections that may take it well past Central New York. The coming-of-age musical follows seven autistic young people as they navigate the greater world, and their relationships with each other. The play is based on an HBO documentary of the same name about a group of young people and their therapist, Dr. Emilio Amigo. Amigo hatches the idea that the teens will have their own prom.

Syracuse.com reviewer Linda Lowen called it “the musical you’ll talk about for the rest of your life.” The musical was so good she returned to see it a second time with her husband, something she hardly ever does.

The producers include Ben Holtzman and Sammy Lopez, who are part of P3 Productions with Fiona Howe Rudin. The partnership produced “The Kite Runner” and “A Strange Loop,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2020. Tony Award winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia plays Amigo, the doctor who is working with the young people and hatches the idea for a prom.

The actors in the cast said working together on the show was like nothing they’d ever experienced. Offstage, they had a new community of people who understood each other without worry about social awkwardness or missed cues. They called themselves the “Spectrum Club Seven.”

They celebrated their differences and it spread. A cast member brought her son, who is on the spectrum, to see the show.

After, he raved to his mom about how great it was to see someone on stage just like him. I didn’t know people could make a musical about what was happening inside my head, he told his mother. The cast members teared up as they talked about the boy’s reaction.

Syracuse Stage will automatically refund anyone who has tickets to the remaining shows.

The theater will continue its plans for live theater going forward, said Artistic Director Bob Hupp. The Cold Read Festival of New Plays starts Oct. 18.

“We are heartbroken by this turn of events that prevents us from welcoming patrons to our last week of performances for ‘How to Dance in Ohio,’” Hupp said. “We thank everyone who joined us for this world premiere, and we look forward to seeing what’s in store for this exceptional production that started right here in Syracuse.”

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, public affairs and the Syracuse City School District. Contact her anytime email | Twitter| Facebook | 315-470-2246

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