Broadway Access Review -
Operation Mincemeat

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ID: image of the Operation Mincemeat 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

(John Golden Theatre)

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

Bathrooms: 

  • divided into the binary, though there is a sign that says “Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity and expression”

  • located downstairs below the orchestra (women’s on the left, men’s on the right. There is no accessible restroom on the premises, but if you ask a security guard in the lobby they can assist you

Other theater accessibility:

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

  • there is no elevator

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

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I didn’t need earplugs for this show

  • much of the script is quick (and with various accents), so I might recommend bringing a quiet fidget if that helps aid in auditory processing!

  • there is very quiet music playing pre-show

  • the sensory experience of this show is similar to Smash, Shucked, Hamilton, Spamalot, and The Great Gatsby

Act I:

  • brief telegraph beeping between the pre-show announcements and the curtain going up

  • Born to Lead - about 5 quick shifts when they all stand center after Johnny Bevan’s bit 

  • All the Ladies - some quick on/offs throughout, some slow rotating projections on the floor throughout, and some moving LED segments around the proscenium. The song felt a little spinny at moments, but never strobey

  • brief flicker on lights after Hester says “yes sir!” to Bevan

  • Making a Man - some brief open/closing light switches that can get a bit quick (never strobey) when in the morgue

  • Just for Tonight - everything in this song lasts for less than 30 seconds, but some of those pieces do include slow spinning floor projections, some moving lights, alternating bulb lights that feel a little flashy, and there’s one moment of quick on/off down lights that would otherwise feel strobey but change color so they don’t; also one flash after the “Sail on, Boys” bit 

Act II: this act makes more use of the back wall as segmented LED projections which can feel a bit high contrast at times

  • act opens with a quick on/off blue lights directly at the audience

  • Das Übermensch - the overall level of flashiness in this song is similar to that of Six’s “Haus of Holbein” if that’s a helpful reference point of how strobey it is. The primary color is red, though some white appears later in the song. They also use flashlights at one moment and point them at the audience. The song ends with a quick white on/off version of the opening blue light cue

  • The Ballad of Willie Watkins - brief use of haze/smoke; back wall lights kind of flash/pulse and then move like a waving flag after the pilot appears; then alternating lights on the back wall and around the proscenium

  • brief slow moving floor projection after “we need more champagne”

  • A Glitzy Finale - extensive use of the alternating bulb lights, sparkly costumes, some moving back projections throughout

    • gets a bit flashier after Jean’s moment

    • brief spinning pinwheel after Hester’s bit

    • some haze when telling Bill’s story but not significant

  • there’s a confetti cannon at the end of bows

Content Warnings

  • Nazi/Hitler imagery (used in a primarily comedic fashion)

  • light misogyny/sexism