Broadway Access Review -
Hadestown

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ID: image of the Trophy Boys 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

Walter Kerr Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in both the mezzanine and orchestra. If particular to one or the other, it will be specified.

Bathrooms:

  • divided into the binary but there is a sign saying “Gender diversity is welcome here. Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression”

  • located up a flight of stairs (below the mezzanine) with women on house left and men on house right. The accessible restroom is on the left side of the orchestra

Other theater accessibility:

  • there is a flat no-step connection to the street

  • there is no elevator 

  • they offer handheld audio description devices, handheld captioning devices, and assistive listening devices

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I might recommend earplugs for this show, I didn’t need them but it can be loud at times

  • for people in the orchestra, things like cups, tables, goggles, and guitars regularly reflect on the audience

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Illinoise, Buena Vista Social Club, Suffs, Cabaret, and The Notebook

Act I:

  • the first time Hermes blows the train whistle (just after Persephone descends the staircase), there is a slow white wash over the audience

  • occasional alternating back lights at the end of Livin’ It Up On Top and Way Down Hadestown

  • haze that billows into the very front orchestra at the end of Epic II as the workers come up and stays through the following number

  • about ~10 sec of moving down lights during When the Chips Are Down

  • Wait For Me - headlights pointed at the audience, haze, three white washes over the audience, and a big light on at the end - there’s also a scene change during this song that involves some amber lights on the back wall pointing at the audience that remain strong for the rest of the act

Act II:

  • train whistle at the end of Our Lady of the Underground

  • right orchestra aisle is used after Flowers

  • after the Hades confrontation there is a sequence with the workers that has a few on/off lights, followed by ~13 sec of quick on/off (to a strobe degree) white down lights, followed by a white wash over the audience

  • back wall lights on briefly after If It’s True

  • haze during If It’s True - train whistle after song ends and the back lights turn on, staying through Chant (R)

  • loud boom and blackout after “I conduct the electric city”

  • a few slow yellow washes on the audience when the turntable spins at the end of Epic III

  • back lights back on briefly during Wait For Me (reprise)

  • Doubt Comes In - has visceral drums and is both hazy and very dim

Content Advisory

  • alcoholism 

  • death 

  • starvation 

  • some emotional manipulation/coercion

  • potentially implied SA, depending on your personal interpretation of the text