Broadway Access Review -
Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York

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ID: image of the Two Strangers 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

(Longacre Theatre)

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the front left balcony

Bathrooms:

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

  • located a flight of stairs below the orchestra and up in the balcony level with an accessible restroom on the orchestra and balcony levels

  • the basement bathrooms have different entrance/exit doors, with the entrance on the staircase side

Other theater accessibility:

  • there is an elevator in this theater, though it only goes to the balcony; the orch is the only entire step-free level

  • they offer closed captioning, assistive listening, loop receivers, and audio description devices, available on the orchestra level

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I had one earplug in for the first half of the show and then forgot to put it back in after intermission, was fine with volume/understanding either way 

  • the primary set is a bunch of suitcases in the center of a turntable and the suitcases have LED lights around them which can be very bright at times. They’re never strobey, but the contrast can be a bit much

  • the floor on either side of the turntable reflects the lights a bit, you don’t really notice unless you’re seated up and to the side

  • pre-show there are airport ambiance noises, including the occasional slightly loud plane flyover noise

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Chess and Gypsy

Act I:

  • one of the downbeats near the beginning of the opening number is a bit startling - also like 4 or 5 quick light changes on each beat, not super flashy

  • New York has some slow transitions between colors from the sides

    • slow white wash over the audience, followed by a short period of moving downlights and the suitcase LEDs going on and off after “you’re not gonna freak out”

  • “Ok fine” “yeah, let’s do this” - the lights for the end of New York reappear but very briefly

  • slightly alternating LEDs after “wanna take a detour?” - never strobey, just bright

  • Under the Mistletoe - disco ball when they get up, first on the stage and then two in the audience as well, lasts a total of ~15-20 sec

  • LEDs return after exiting the taxi 

  • loud club-style music with bass & moving colored downlights for ~10 seconds after the Bonnie & Clyde joke, then some more alternating LEDs

Act II:

  • three moments of brief retching noises in the first scene

  • slow alternating lights at the end of the first song

  • LEDs return right after she puts on her coat - lights stay the same but the turntable spins slowly so they are moving

  • slow alternating back lights that slightly shine on front orch after “make him Greek” 

  • ~30 sec blackout after “you may kiss the bride” - it’s not a total blackout, so your eyes adjust, but it is dim for awhile

  • smoke/haze in the snow when they both step on top of the suitcases that spills into the first few rows of the orch and does not dissipate until the end of the song, though the haze on stage lasts a bit longer (dissipating during the subsequent conversation)

Content Advisory

  • alcohol use

  • three brief moments with retching noises (when hungover after said alcohol use, location is noted in the overall review)