Broadway Access Review -
Oedipus

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ID: image of the Oedipus 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

Studio 54

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the front right mezzanine

Bathrooms: 

  • divided into the binary

  • located to the left just before the doorway to the bar area - women’s on the right, men’s on the left, and the accessible single-user is in the center - or upstairs with men’s on the right and women’s on the left

Other theater accessibility:

  • there are 4 steps up to the orchestra and then one down to each row, but the wheelchair seats are in the front so there is a step-free way to get to the first few rows

  • there is no elevator to the mezzanine, but there is to the Golden Lounge

  • they offer handheld audio description devices, handheld captioning devices, assistive listening, and loop systems

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • this show runs 2 hours without an intermission

  • I did not need earplugs for this show, but might recommend them for the end (put them in when the clock hits 00:00 and leave in through bows) 

  • the content warnings are extensive, so please be sure to look at that slide!

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Appropriate, Call Me Izzy, and Purpose

The Show:

  • the opening video has a few camera flashes in it and the cheers get a bit loud at the end but it is brief

  • very brief physical violence (more like manhandling) with the oracle - the oracle also does some distress stims like slapping himself on the head

  • champagne pop after “looking good”

  • a gun gets waved around, it is not shot here

  • ~30 seconds of simulated sex center stage

  • there are wind noises that appear when Grandma and Antigone talk, it’s not loud, just noting so you know it’s on purpose! It fades in and out pretty fluidly

  • CW - description of traumatic birthing experience and mentions of CSA 

  • brief use of a scented herbal cigarette, it dissipates quickly

  • long beep when clock hits 00:00 that lasts maybe ~15 sec

  • camera flash at audience after “I want before and after!”

  • very very loud gunshot noise after “to begin something new” - blood warning here 

  • immediately followed by use of high heel to begin to stab out an eye (no blood warning here, we don’t see it make contact) – applause here gets deafeningly and physically loud, as well as a very extended full blackout that lasted maybe a minute (applause lasts through this blackout)

Content Advisory

  • brief self injurious stims (hitting self on head)

  • blood warning 

  • use of gun

  • sexual content

  • infidelity

  • incest 

  • CSA 

  • murder & suicide 

  • parent death 

  • discussions of infertility & infant death

  • description of a traumatic birth experience 

  • description of car accident