Theatre Access Review -
Just In Time

General:

• I might recommend earplugs for this show, I had one in the whole time and found the volume to be perfect

• because the show is in the round, you’re likely to have lights somewhat pointed toward you at all times

• all of the borders of the walls & steps on stage have LED bars around them and there are also bulb lights next to many of those bars that often move/alternate which can be slightly flashy at times

• all aisles get used frequently

• there is one character who has a cigarette for much of the show but it’s never actually lit, so there’s no smoke

• I have a lot of cues noted in this review, but pretty much everything is fairly tame or, if not, lasts less than 10 seconds. Once you get used to the design conceit in the first song, everything becomes somewhat predictable from then on, nothing is startling

• the sensory accessibility of this show is semi-similar to that of Cabaret, The Great Gatsby, and Old Friends 

Pre-Show/Intermission: the entire theater is lit a very harsh blue, with some slow-moving lights washing over the audience. There is medium volume music playing

Act I:

• The start of the show is a slight startle

• Opening number – the sirens’ dresses are very sparkly in a way that creates an almost disco ball-like accidental strobe effect 

• some slight on/offs, mostly from side lights

• he dances with someone in one of the front rows 

• quick alternating downlights at the end of the song

• Beyond the Sea – sparkly dresses continue in this song. There are a few quick on/offs and the end is rather flashy but it’s very brief 

• Imitation Medley – 

  • ~15 sec alternating pink lights for Elvis

  • ~15-20 sec slow water-style moving teal lights for mermaid piece

  • ~5-7 sec pink light pulses during Connie’s piece

• Alternating downlights on the front audience for Splish Splash, followed by lots of on/offs, alternating bulbs, and there’s a slight spinny quality to it. The end is very flashy for ~10 sec, mostly yellow

• Gun is taken out and shortly after shot 3 times when pointed at the ceiling (it’s a recording, so less loud than blanks)

• Slow yellow wash over the audience at the end of Who’s Sorry Now

• White camera flash downlights that are a bit strobey right after That’s All (song with his mom) – each time they appear they are isolated to the left of the theater (the quadrant directly opposite the stage). In two sections of ~10 sec and then a later ~5 sec

• Queen of the Hop – lots of slow alternating lights, all pink. When the center opens, there’s a fast wash over the audience and then it’s a bit flashy for ~10 seconds

• ~5 sec camera flashes (same spot as previously) after “step out into the sunlight”

• Lazy River – slow wash over the audience when everyone comes out, followed by alternating bulbs and then flashy yellow on/offs briefly 

• Mack the Knife – white moving downlights briefly in the middle, alternating bulbs, and there are lights on the back wall that are white LEDs and point directly at the audience briefly once (and again on the final note) that are a bit bright

• brief bass pulse during the pause

• the whole stage is flashy yellow & white for the end

Act II:

• Hairspray is briefly sprayed on stage, I believe it was unscented

• Multiplication – quick light changes on the sides and alternating bulbs for ~5 sec at the end

• Some on/offs during the dance break with Sandra Dee

• ~3 sec camera flashes after the kiss

• Some slow spinning downlights, very briefly, when the car changes directions throughout the travel section

•  “Never bet against Bobby D” - sparkly costumes & some alternating pink lights during the transition – this whole song is very flashy but never in the same way for more than 10 seconds so it doesn’t get too straining 

• The deep bass pulse doesn’t go away until the people on stage start talking 

• Flashy when he raises his arms up

• The sparkly siren dresses return for bows, Splish Splash is a bit flashy, and the end has full stage flashes (like in other songs), as well as when the orchestra ends