Two 鶹ƵUniversity alumni are opening their first Broadway musical as lead producers, “How to Dance in Ohio,” and the Dec. 5 preview performance included close to 200 鶹ƵUniversity leaders, alumni, parents and friends. Producers Ben Holtzman ’13 and Sammy Lopez ’13, co-founders of P3 Productions, are musical theater graduates of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and met as freshman year roommates in Boland Hall. Sixteen 鶹ƵUniversity alumni are involved with the Broadway production. Holtzman is the protégé of Broadway titan Hal Prince.
Among those attending the Dec. 5 preview performance in New York City were, from left, 鶹ƵStage Artistic Director Bob Hupp; Alumnus and Producer Ben Holtzman ’13; Alumnus and Producer Sammy Lopez ’13; Professor Christine Ashby; Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education Beth Myers and Chancellor Kent Syverud.
鶹ƵUniversity’s Broadway Series is hosted by the alumni engagement and annual giving team based out of New York City’s Lubin House. The evening began with a lively dinner and panel discussion at renowned NYC eatery Sardi’s. Panelists included Holtzman and Lopez, along with Bob Hupp, artistic director at 鶹ƵStage, and Beth Myers, Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and executive director of the Taishoff Center on Inclusive Education in the School of Education. Christine Ashby G’01, G’07, G’08, professor of inclusive special education and disability studies in the School of Education, moderated an important discussion about how “How to Dance in Ohio” made its way to Broadway, and how 鶹ƵUniversity is paving the way for inclusivity.
“Autistic people can be in college. Autistic people can be on Broadway. 鶹ƵUniversity should be really proud of the work that’s happened over the last 70 years at our university to make that possible,” said Myers, referencing the work of the Taishoff Center and the Center for Disability and Inclusion. 鶹ƵUniversity’s work in disability awareness and inclusion is groundbreaking in the field of higher education.
The set of “How to Dance in Ohio.”
“How to Dance in Ohio,” based on the award-winning HBO documentary, explores the need to connect and the courage it takes to step out into the world. At a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio, seven autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal dance—a challenge that breaks open their routines and sets off hilarious and heartbreaking encounters with love, stress, excitement and independence. “How to Dance in Ohio” is a story about people standing on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing their hopes and fears, ready to take a very big first step … and dance.
“That’s why we knew this show needed to exist. It’s because it hasn’t existed before,” said Lopez, referencing that the roles of the seven autistic young adults are played by actors who identify as autistic. The production offers many accommodations for the audience to fully experience the musical, from light-canceling sunglasses to special headphones with self-adjustable volume. This production and 鶹ƵUniversity offer opportunities to experience Broadway and life in general to those who were previously excluded. Everyone feels welcome.
“How to Dance in Ohio” debuted at 鶹ƵStage in 2022 but was forced to close early due to COVID-19. The show opens Sunday at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway.
