Off-Broadway Access Review -
The Play That Goes Wrong
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Image of the Play That Goes Wrong Playbill in front of the stage at New World Stages (Stage 4) 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 World Stages
All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the direct center of Stage 4
Bathrooms:
divided into the binary but have a sign that says “Gender diversity is welcome here. Please use the restroom that best fits your identity or expression”
these restrooms are wheelchair accessible
located to the left of the theater (by the escalator down), down that escalator and around the corner, and down the hall on the side of the other escalators
Other theater accessibility:
the entrance to New World Stages is step-free and there is an elevator to each theater level. This theater is located on the first floor, to the left of where your tickets are scanned
they offer assisted listening and induction loop systems at the audience services desk
Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.
Light/Sound/Scent
General:
I did not need earplugs for the show, but may recommend for pre-show/intermission
the sensory accessibility of this show is around the same level as The Cottage and Maybe Happy Ending, it is fairly calm design-wise (within the confines of the amount of chaos & yelling this medium requires)
Pre-Show:
medium to loud volume music playing
some pre-show audience interaction that includes the occasional door slamming shenanigan (if you don’t want to participate in this, you can just decline when they ask for “help”! The actors don’t mind.)
Act I:
the audio overlay from Trevor’s mic is a little loud, but it only happens twice, first right at the start
semi loud cue after “he’s dead!” that appears a few times throughout the show, it’s very predictable
brief loud + fire after Perkins lights the match, followed by fire extinguisher
in quick succession– big bang after “you’ll be sorry”, then 3 muted gunshots, then big crash & brief smoke after “he’s coming down the elevator”
Act II:
Trevor’s mic once again, appears during the post-intermission speech
content warning for spitting out of food into a container (it’s in Trevor’s booth so you can avoid)
loud bang after the second or third line
another crash & smoke from the elevator
a gun appears, it only gets shot once, MUCH later
slight flash and thunder after Trevor goes in the clock
small boom when searching for magnifying glass
big crash after Thomas opens the study door (after Trevor’s episode), then blood warning & quick boom + sparks
bang when clock is opened
boom after “it’s true!”
blood warning again after the Sandras pose by window
the gun shoots (full blank gunshot sound) after they say “bang”. Then some loud crashing for some time
loud sound cue during “betrayed by my brother”
pyro spark after “of Haversham Manor”
Content Advisory
some suggestive humor
mention of murder/suicide (it is a murder mystery, after all)
light stage blood warning (placement is noted in the cue list)
lots of spit takes with drinks, as well as one moment where someone spits out food into a container