Off-Broadway Access Review -
Queens

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ID: image of the Queens 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

New York City Center - MTC Stage I

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

Bathrooms: 

  • restrooms located halfway down the staircase straight ahead and then to the right (on level B1 via elevator)

  • divided into the binary, but with a sign that says “Guests are encouraged to use the restroom that aligns with their gender expression or identity.” Each restroom has an accessible single-user restroom inside

Other theater accessibility:

  • there is an elevator to the left of the staircase

  • upon entering the theater (it’s a door to the left of where you go in for the NYCC Main Stage box office) you will go down a split flight of stairs. At the bottom is the theater, which is on your left. There is a step up for each row beyond the first

  • they offer assistive listening options, AD devices, and Braille & large print Playbills 

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • for some reason the run time is listed in many places as 90 min straight, it’s 2h15 with an intermission!

  • I did not need earplugs for this show

  • I might recommend bringing a fidget to help focus if you are someone whose auditory processing issues are exacerbated by accents

  • the theater was notably very cold the night I was there

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of English, The Counter, Punch, and Purpose

Act I:

  • the right aisle is used once  at the top of the show

  • punch after “maybe” 

  • one of the overhead lights in the apartment (at full white brightness) on the left of the stage flickers constantly throughout the first scene which I would estimate to be 7-10 min in length. It stops after “what is your name?”

  • flicker returns when the girl returns, but only for about a minute

  • brief use of herbal cigarette

  • “It’s ok, I’m here” - loud rumble noise & slight haze

Act II:

  • dubstep-style beat at the start of the act that gets pretty loud and physically visceral, in addition to a red strobe light on the left of the stage, ~15 sec

  • slight haze during the snow

  • all the small lights (lamps, etc) flicker when the bus comes (not white or strobey) for ~5-7 seconds

  • momentary sight of a massive bruise

  • “ask her how” - ~7 sec loud train noise

  • smoke after healthcare conversation that takes a long time to dissipate 

  • some loud crashing, it’s clear when

  • “this is the best we could” - loud rumble & a bit hazey

Content Advisory

  • use of alcohol

  • parent loss 

  • references to 9/11

  • anti-immigrant sentiment & racism

  • mention of domestic violence and visual of a large bruise