Broadway Access Review -
John Proctor is the Villain

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ID: image of the John Proctor is the Villain 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

Booth Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the back right 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’s on house right, men’s on the left), on the left side of the mezzanine, and an accessible single-user one located at the rear of the orchestra

Other theater accessibility:

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

  • there is no elevator 

  • the theatre offers closed captioning, assistive listening, loop receivers, and audio description devices

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I did not need earplugs for this show, but I might recommend them during the loud pre-show music

  • the show runs 100 minutes with no intermission

  • nearly all of the scene transitions are marked by ~20 seconds of loud (in comparison to the scenes) music that sometimes has a bit of a visceral bass element and a light that has a slight quick pulse/flicker to it. It doesn’t feel strobey except for a handful of them which will be the only ones noted here.

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of The Roommate, N/A, and Appropriate

The Show:

  • the song just before curtain gets visceral for ~30 sec

  • CW: brief kissing assault/manipulative language & throwing of furniture

  • “before she taught me about my period” - scene change includes heartbeat sound effect and the pulse is higher contrast

  • “I’m just here” - high contrast scene change

  • “I thought The Crucible was about witches” - high contrast scene change (contrast up after Ivy is center)

  • “I contain fricken multitudes” - high contrast scene change that has a visceral quality & school bell sound

  • “it’s funny you’re asking me to leave…” - white flash at the audience, followed by very loud visceral music in full blackout for ~20 seconds

  • scream shortly after the “this is fun” scene change - followed by about ~25 seconds of screaming from multiple girls at once 

  • final project has two small white flashes that then become a full stage white flash, followed by alternating colored pulsing lights with the occasional flash (this feels strobey, but not in a white strobe sense) for ~90 seconds

Content Advisory

  • SA/CSA

  • some manipulative/abusive language

  • some conversations on religion

  • some conversations on sex

  • singular mention of suicidal ideation