Broadway Access Review -
Buena Vista Social Club

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ID: image of the Buena Vista Social Club Playbill in front of the stage with the text "Access Review" on top

 

General Note

This is a review of the accessibility of the theater, of the lighting/sound/scent design of the show, and a list of content warnings as a way to prep folks with various needs before they go see it. 

This is not meant to scare anyone away from seeing the show. Most productions have about the same amount of content warnings and sensory warnings to go along with it, they’re just rarely explicitly written down. 

For some people, knowing these things ahead of time makes it easier to enjoy the show because they know what to expect. And, often, makes those people more likely to see it in the first place. I hope that it’s helpful!

I am also happy to clarify any specifics, just send me a message or an email and I will respond when I can.

Also please note that I make these while seeing a show for the first time, so I may miss some cues or be slightly off as to their placement/cue line!

Theater

(Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre)

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in reference to seats in the center back mezzanine

Bathrooms: 

  • divided into the binary, though there is a sign saying “Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity and expression”

  • located below the orchestra (women on the left, men on the right), women’s in the right mezzanine, and an accessible restroom on the orchestra level

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater has a step-free entrance to the orchestra

  • there is no elevator

  • they offer handheld audio description devices, handheld captioning devices, assistive listening, and neck induction loop systems

Click here for more information on the accessibility of this theater.

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I might recommend earplugs for this show, but with them in it’s a bit difficult to understand the dialogue

  • most songs have a handful of quick light shifts, but none of it ever felt flashy or strobey

  • there is very brief smoking on a handful of occasions, but the cigarettes are unscented and the smoke is minimal

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of The Notebook, Merrily We Roll Along, and Hadestown

Act I:

  • first song in the Social Club (Que Bueno Baila Usted) - has some small light pulses and a few quick down lights on at the end

  • “sometimes old songs kick up old feelings” (start of El Cumbanchero (reprise)) - some moving green lights, followed by moving orange spotlights on the floor, alternating bulb lights, and sparkly costumes (this all lasts for only about 90 seconds)

Act II:

  • brief plane flying noise sound after the sisters hug that doesn’t get very loud at all

  • Lágrimas Negras - some slow alternating lights after the piano exits, but they’re brief and not flashy

  • Candela (reprise) - has some changing color lights but it’s not quick and fairly low contrast

  • quick on/off white downlights after bows for ~5-7 seconds

Content Warnings

  • dementia/memory loss

  • there is a single moment of light violence