ID: image of a The Heart Playbill 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.
Theater
Laura Pels Theatre
All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the far left of the orchestra
Bathrooms:
divided into the binary, though each has a sign that says “this restroom may be used by any person regardless of gender identity or expression”
located on the orchestra level at the base of the stairs to the right. The women’s is around the corner and down a few steps from the men’s and the accessible restroom
Other theater accessibility:
there is an elevator to each level of the theater – if you do not use the elevator, it is about 3 flights down to the orchestra level
they offer loop and hearing devices, as well as CC and AD via GalaPro
Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.
Light/Sound
I used one earplug for this show
the show runs 90 minutes without an intermission
the stage is set up with the entire floor and back wall as a grid screen for projections and the sides are somewhat mirrored. The screens have projections that are in motion for the vast majority of the show. I’m only going to note the particularly flashy/disorienting moments in this review so it remains a useful tool
the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Redwood and The Connector. More specifically, the lighting is similar to The Curious Incident… and sound is similar to &Juliet
The Show:
big white light and crash noise after “everything races out of control”
a few seconds of flashing lights after Simon is rolled out
loud with a white flash after “19!?”
after that number it is incredibly flashy for ~30 seconds, which repeats after “I’m on my way”
briefly loud after “Juliette doesn’t know”
the following song is both very loud and has very disorienting pink flashing/moving lights for the entire song - it returns for another ~30 seconds after he leaves to go surfing
brief yellow strobe after “I have to move on”
some pink and teal pulsing LEDs after the mom pours a glass of wine that lasts for most of the rest of the song
cigarettes used briefly, it seemed unscented
pink/white flashy moment after “shall we?”
more disorienting lights and loud music after the DJ headphones go on
some bright white pulsing lights during surgery
smoke after “has a vision”, doesn’t spill into the audience
bright white pulsing light after “do the honors”, with brighter white flashes on each “clear” (I believe there were 3) - all lasts ~10-15 seconds
the end has loud crescendo to a white flash/blackout
Content Advisory
medical imagery and discussions of the logistics of some surgeries
child loss
existentialism around death & terminal illness
description of a car crash