By David Pogue, CBS News | Clinical psychologist Emilio Amigo, who runs a counseling center for autistic people in Columbus, Ohio, had a big idea: “Many of my clients never went to their homecoming or prom because they weren’t welcomed,” he said. “I’m like, ‘How many of you guys would love to go to a big formal?'”
Putting on a prom involved teaching his clients new skills, like dancing or asking someone out. Their journey was the subject of a 2015 documentary called “How to Dance in Ohio.”
That story is now a Broadway musical.
“All of us who work on the show get messages from autistic individuals saying, ‘I’ve seen myself represented onstage.’ That’s what we do it for,” said Sammi Cannold, the show’s director. She was not, however, its first one. That was the legendary Hal Prince, director of shows like “Phantom of the Opera,” “Evita,” “Cabaret,” and many Sondheim musicals. He sadly passed away in 2019.
“Hal’s granddaughter is autistic; my brother is autistic,” said Cannold. “For him the show was very personal; for me the show is very personal.”
But “How to Dance in Ohio” isn’t just about autistic people. All of the autistic characters are played by autistic actors.
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Read the full heart-warming story here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-dance-in-ohio-broadway-musical-shines-a-light-on-autistic-stories/
David Pogue is a six-time Emmy winner for his stories on “CBS Sunday Morning,” where he’s been a correspondent since 2002. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author, a five-time TED speaker, and host of 20 NOVA science specials on PBS. For 13 years, he wrote a New York Times tech column every week — and for 10 years, a Scientific American column every month.
“How to Dance in Ohio” is currently streaming on IMAX – http://www.howtodanceinohio.com/
Photo: How to Dance in Ohio (provided by the show company)
New Broadway Musical “How to Dance in Ohio” Shines a Light on Autistic Stories
