New Stars are Born

I love musical theater! As I am in my car traveling throughout nine counties in Pennsylvania, I listen to Sirius XM’s On Broadway station.  Recently I was listening to Seth Rudetsky and heard him excitedly say that he would be interviewing some of the cast from How To Dance in Ohio.  It caught my attention. Seth said how much fun the play was and how the musical numbers were uplifting.

How To Dance In Ohio is based on an award winning 2015 HBO documentary exploring the need to connect and the courage it takes to step out in the world. What really got my attention was when Seth Rudetsky stated that the musical follows a group of young adults on the autism spectrum as they prepare for a formal spring dance. With guidance from their group counselor, the group spends 12 weeks practicing their social skills in preparing for the dance.

The broadcast played Building Momentum, a song from the play. I can relate to it, thinking of a person on the spectrum that I have helped. The interview continued as the actors talked about how the needs of the cast were taken into consideration at every stage of production.  Things like sound and light sensitivities. The rehearsal room was specifically designed to make working more comfortable by minimizing a variety of challenges.

I perked up as Seth introduced another song from the play titled So Much in Common.  I loved it and found myself more intrigued. You hear and know of autism, but the information for the most part is focused on children with autism.  Seth was interviewing actors from the play who are on the spectrum.  This play raises the audience’s awareness to how people  with autism navigate the transition into adulthood, including everything from potentially starting romantic relationships, to getting employment. 

A first for Broadway! Seven actors with autism are now Broadway stars! So what do you say? Should we take a road trip to the Big Apple?