Off-Broadway Access Review -
Mother Russia

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ID: image of the Mother Russia 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

Signature - Linney Theatre

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

Bathrooms: 

  • divided into the binary with a sign that says “You are encouraged to use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression”

  • located, from the top of the stairs, with women’s straight ahead and men’s right around the corner. Each restroom has accessible stalls and the accessible single-user restroom is down the far ramp (that kinda goes over the stairs) to the left.

Other theater accessibility:

  • this specific theater is located in the wider Signature complex on the second floor to the left of the restrooms (the left entrance is by the piano and the right is by the women’s restroom). 

  • most rows have steps up or down to them

  • they offer induction loops and assistive listening devices

  • they have select ASL-interpreted, open-caption, and audio-described performances

If you would like more visual information as to what this building looks like and how to navigate it, Signature has both a virtual tour and a visual story with all available access information, including photos of all of the spaces, information on where to park, and anything else you may need.

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • the show runs 90 minutes with no intermission

  • I did not need earplugs for this show, but I would definitely recommend them for the pre-show

  • there are fluorescent light bars at the top of the room portion of the set that are rather bright– if you are light sensitive I might recommend getting seats closer to the front so it’s not directly in your eyeline

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Caroline, Queens, Purpose, and Trophy Boys

Pre-Show: the entire theater is lit with strong red LED downlights and there is very loud Russian pop music playing

Show:

  • very light & brief smoke (more of a steam effect) after the headphones get put on, also CW for a singular retching noise

  • loud bang when the garage door comes down (this happens the few times it’s used, not further noted)

  • the folks seated on the left wall, perpendicular to the stage, are lightly involved in brief audience participation

  • slightly startling scene change after “at least Olga Knipper is dead” 

  • some loud crashing noises as Dmitri throws things in anger

  • “now I go” - slightly loud scene shift

  • the squeal of the teapot briefly gets loud 

  • after the black turtleneck goes on, there is about 45 seconds to a minute of strobes, but they shift every 10-15 seconds and aren’t incredibly fast (nor are they all white the entire time)

  • loud bangs as more things are thrown

  • moment of physical violence

  • “just do it!” - lots of gunfire (sort of like in a video game) and on/off flashing lights for ~5-7 seconds

  • a few momentary on/offs in subsequent dialogue

  • slightly loud transition after phone ringing

  • this time the door comes down, after Dmitri walks out the door, feels particularly loud 

  • loud music (very briefly) during bows

Content Advisory

  • some light sexual humor

  • one moment with discussion of suicidal ideation

  • one moment of physical violence

  • lots of guns, though there’s only one moment utilizing gunfire

  • discussions of gulags and other traumatic times in the lives of Soviet Russians