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.
Theater
Belasco Theatre
All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats on the left aisle of the 5th row of the orchestra
Bathrooms:
no explicitly gender neutral bathrooms, though there is a sign saying “Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity and expression”
located below the orchestra, in the mezz, and balcony, with an accessible one in the orchestra level
Other theater accessibility:
the theater has a step-free entrance to the orchestra
there is no elevator
they offer:
two cool down/sensory spaces (they’re labeled on the map in the playbill - one is in the basement and one is on the mezzanine level
a social story of the parts of the theater with photos on their website (this is not up yet, will update on here when it is!)
sensory kits to borrow (with sunglasses, headphones, an AAC card, and 3 fidget toys)
adaptable sound accessible headphones (you can change the volume of the show audio in them)
closed captioning, assistive listening, loop receivers, and audio description devices
they also sell fidget spinners at the merch stand (they are yellow and I like mine a lot)
Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.
Click here for the show’s resource page and here for their sensory guide.
Light/Sound/Scent
General:
I did not need earplugs/ear defenders for this show
lighting accessibility levels for this show are pretty similar to Shucked, Hadestown, and Wicked (not entirely accessible, but mostly chill)
some things in Remy’s room are sparkly and cause occasional accidental strobe
the chairs also sometimes cause accidental strobe
they have their own breakdown of various sensory things to expect on their website. I have some overlap with theirs but some of my own notes as well - I highly recommend reading both!
Act I:
the pre-show is the stage with the bulb light letters and blue downlights that point very far upstage (almost onto the audience but not really noticeable)
opening number - two quick lights, both after/during lines from Tommy
the magazine in the office caused occasional strobe
“Your folding has improved. Fact.” - quick downlight on after subsequent entrance
How to Dance in Ohio - quick light switch after the ?first time that line is said, also at one point a scoreboard-like thing comes down with bulb lights counting down until the dance
quick light switch (bright to dark) when Tommy walks forward
Unlikely Animals - backlights are very purple and slowly transition to blue - quick color switch after “a zoo”
“but also butterflies” - quick light shift
“stop the clock” - white downlights click on and off with each tick
“my car is just over there” - quick light change
in Macy’s, the back wall is a sequin curtain that causes accidental strobes a lot, also there are two small disco balls and sparkly dresses
Macy’s disappears for Marideth interlude but it returns
circuit monologue - lights move through the letters and the downlights also move a bit
Waves and Wires - lights in the letters move more quickly when Drew is center stage, followed by a visual crescendo of faster movement/flashing and then pulsing white downlights
Act II:
“I’ll drift to you” and Marideth walks off the turntable - quick white downlight on her
first beat after the bed enters is a quick lighting change
So Much In Common -
quick downlight when Remy & Tommy enter
“strike” - quick lighting color switch
on/off white downlight when the turntable spins
Marideth’s macbook causes some accidental strobe
quick white light on last beat
“a jerk” - quick light shift
the car’s steering wheel and the road signs cause some accidental strobe
“from Drew” - quick white downlight on Drew
after Reincarnation - “01” on the board pulses for 2-3 seconds
shiny mylar streamers behind the actors during the nightclub scene
Nothing At All - lots of quick lighting changes and the actors use phone flashlights while on the turntable that sometimes reflect into the audience - slow flashing/changing downlights later in the number
when Amigo is on stage at the club waiting for the dance, there are quick white downlights on each parent when they speak
quick white on at the end of Building Momentum
the thing that comes out of the giant box at center stage is VERY SHINY - think disco ball but less consistent
at the dance there is a full back wall (and side wings) of shiny mylar curtain that causes a rippling effect/accidental strobe; many sparkly outfits
quick lighting switch after bows
Content Warnings
mentions of grief
ableism
some depictions of meltdowns/autistic overwhelm
For folks with tic disorders - explicit stimming can sometimes be a tic trigger (I was fine, but just a heads up!)
For autistic folks - a common phenomenon many autistic people experience when consuming autistic media representation is that it in the moment it makes us seem “more autistic” - we get more stimmy, more likely to overload, more aware of sensory issues, and generally have a harder time masking. This is likely because we get extra involved in the story and because, in seeing others unmask, we feel safer to unmask as well. It often makes me realize how much I naturally mask and how exhausting that is and I lose the desire to put the energy into it. This may happen to you when you see this show and that is okay! And normal! Absolutely no shame in being more you.