Broadway Access Review -
Appropriate

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image of the Appropriate Playbill in front of the stage with the text "Access Review" on top

ID: image of the Appropriate 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.

Theater

Belasco Theatre

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

Bathrooms:

  • no explicitly gender neutral bathrooms, though there is a sign saying “Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity and expression”

  • located below the orchestra, in the mezz, and balcony, with an accessible one in the orchestra level

Other theater accessibility:

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

  • there is no elevator

  • the theatre offers closed captioning, assistive listening, loop receivers, and audio description devices

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • with the exception of the very end, effectively the only sound/lighting cues are during scene changes, where a line will be said, lights will get kinda bright, and then it will go into a blackout with really loud audio of screaming cicadas for about 15-20 seconds. I would recommend earplugs solely for the cicadas, the rest of the show is really quiet 

  • the first scene of each act is halfway in the dark so it can be kind of hard to focus on the stage

Act I:

  • at the start, the “appropriate” definition sign gets very bright and then flashes off, followed by ~90 seconds of the cicada noise

  • flashlight pointed through the window and sometimes at the audience for a little bit

  • River briefly burns some sage, unsure if that can be smelled in the front orchestra

  • another flashlight after “what the hell is going on?”

  • scene change after sitting on the couch (who is sitting I have no idea cause I didn’t write that down, likely Toni) 

    • lighting is normal not-dark after this change

  • scene change after Rachael yells at Ainsley and Bo and Ainsley runs up the stairs 

  • scene change after “oh my god” & throwing of photo album - cicadas were louder on this one - this ends Act I

Act II:

  • cicadas start before the house lights go down

  • the onstage candles get blown out, may be smelled by front orchestra

  • scene change after Rhys runs back up the stairs 

  • scene change after Ainsley runs downstairs in costume

  • after they all leave, scene change, but it continues for many scene changes with light shifts that increase in speed, brightness/strobe, and volume - one includes thunder and lightning (with full white strobe), another includes party music & flashing lights. Lasts about 3 minutes and ends after the man with the flashlight

Content Warnings

  • racism & discussions of lynchings

  • family dysfunction & fighting

  • grief 

  • antisemitism

  • discussions of addiction/drug use 

  • discussions of mental illness

  • discussions of CSA

  • simulated masturbation (only once, ~20 sec)