Off-Broadway Access Review -
Night Side Songs

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ID: image of the Night Side Songs 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

(Claire Tow Theater)

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the far left front central section

Bathrooms: 

  • gender neutral and located to the right of the theater down the long hallway. The one on the right has 3 regular-sized stalls and the one on the left has two accessible stalls.

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater (and its box office) are located on the second floor. You will access that via the elevator to the left of the main Lincoln Center Theatre entrance

  • each row after the first one has a step up

  • the theater offers CC, assistive listening, loop receivers, and AD devices, as well as Braille and large print programs

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • the show runs 100 minutes without an intermission

  • I did not need earplugs for this show

  • medium to loud volume music pre-show, it’s louder in the lobby than it is in the theater

  • the show involves audience participation– pre-show the actors come out and pass out songbooks. During the show, everyone sings along to various pieces of the show together

  • the back wall of the performance space has slats of wood that can be a little disorienting, but it’s often left unlit so you don’t notice

  • the sensory accessibility is similar to that of Eureka Day and Spelling Bee

The Show:

  • house lights often remain up for different sections

  • loud scream after “I play Minecraft”

  • quick light shift after “black coffee for Jasmine”

  • everyone rises if able on request for the ceremony

Content Advisory

  • descriptions of medical procedures, cancer treatments, and caregiving

  • medical/hospital imagery at the end

  • discussions of loss, grief, and mortality

  • strong language

  • some alcohol use

  • mention of throwing up in a few moments 

  • a few mentions of infertility

  • song that mentions war & war wounds