Original Broadway Cast, 2024 (Center Stage Records) (2.5 / 5)  It’s difficult to criticize the cast recording of a show that is so representative in its diversity and so bold in its subject matter. How to Dance in Ohio was powerful onstage, and also very meaningful to the autistic and neuro-divergent communities. It certainly deserves praise for its honest portrayal of a group of autistic young adults (played by autistic performers) who meet under the supervision of their counselor, Dr. Amigo. With a book and lyrics by Rebecca Greer Melocik, and music by Jacob Yandura, the show takes its title and general plot from a 2015 HBO documentary in which we see Dr. Amigo planning a formal dance to teach social skills to the group. Despite the obvious merits of the musical, the cast album rarely flows well, and unfortunately, the songs are musically undistinguished. “Today Is” proves to be  a generic opening number, and though songs such as “Under Control,” “Unlikely Animals,” and “Waves and Wires” allow us to learn more about the inner minds of the characters, they don’t have memorable melodies. One thankful exception is a song performed by two mothers while preparing their daughters for the formal, “Getting Ready for the Dance.” (A heartbreaking sample of the lyrics: “So many things the other kids do, ours get ‘nevers,’ ‘nos,’ and ‘can’ts.’ I want a picture of my daughter getting ready for the dance.”) The ensemble cast members are universally laudable for their vulnerable performances on the album: Caesar Samayoa sounds uncannily similar to the real-life Dr. Amigo, Madison Kopec is just right as Marideth, and Liam Pierce as Drew highlights the recording with his 11 o’clock number, “Building Momentum.” — Forrest Hutchinson