Broadway Access Review -
Back to the Future

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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

Winter Garden Theatre

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

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 in the lobby and there is also a wheelchair accessible restroom on the orchestra level

Other theater accessibility:

the theater has a step-free entrance to the orchestra
there is no elevator to the mezzanine

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

there are lots of accidental strobes from shiny watches, guitars, suspender buckles, and goggles
I would recommend earplugs/defenders for this show

Pre-Show:

primarily blue lighting, with on and off blue flashing lights around the sides of the theater and slow moving light through the pipes/wires on the sides and top of the theater (I will refer to that as “the brain” from now on cause it looks like a brain). There is a quick clock ticking the entire time and there is occasional slight glitchy movement on the screen/curtain

Act I:

the show opens with everything going red and pixelated, moving quickly, and a loud crash
the tiny guitar creates mic feedback noises when Marty moves it toward the speaker
when Marty jumps, there is a loud noise and also fire (with a second fire flash after)
(this is during a song and I don’t remember what song it was, sorry!) when Marty jumps off the table, the neon lights around the stage turn on, flash a few times, and then it ends with a quick light transition
“Hey Doc, what’s going on?” - a bunch of booms and flashes
It Works - sparky clothes in this number
- flashes throughout from offstage, they feel kinda like camera flashes, not like strobes
- moving projections and neon around the stage but they move kinda slowly
- pink downlight flashes after “because Marty”
the flux capacitor has flashing lights in it
when Marty drives the car, every possible lighting thing imaginable happens from all directions (red, then white, then multicolored) and there’s a big boom (and a second boom after the chickens)
Gotta Start Somewhere - carnival bulb lights come in halfway through, initially just moving slowly, they later start flashing (while arch lights move directionally) after the backdrop comes down; also sparkly clothing & flashing downlights at the end
My Myopia - small red flashing light end of the number, ends with a thud
“read your thoughts” - Doc puts on a flashy hat
when they leave Doc’s, they shine flashlights on the audience
Future Boy - when people come out the lights come on quickly and there is a spinny projection & sparkles
“chemistry was never my strong suit” - neon arch turns on quickly
“shoe’s untied” - loud punch noise and quick light shift

Intermission:

back to the blue like during the pre-show
starts with music, ends with ticking

Act II:

opens with lots of moving/glowing projections
21st Century - this song was so strobey I lost track, just expect A Lot
moving projection after the song
Put Your Mind To It - quick lighting shift after fence walk
flame and small boom after plug bit (flame reappears a second time after “setback”)
loud punch sound after arm break
when everyone goes back to the dance there are lots of bubbles that sorta fall onto the crowd
flashing light on Marty after green jacket guy appears
“this one’s an oldie” - yellow (and later red) disco balls on the side of the audience and lights flashing onstage

THE LIGHTNING SEQUENCE - this section is very loud and very bright with lots of lightning and thunder, here are the big things I noted:

it’s– yeah” - lightning via side lights and 3 thunders
“I’ll just tell you straight out” - big thunder & lightning
big flash when Doc gets up the stairs
white side flashes when Marty gets in the car, then moving projections & flashing wheels
“3 2 1 - NOW” - huge white flash on “now”
as Doc on the clock leaves there are 2 white flashes, then lots of flashes and the brain flashes as well (this pauses when the clock returns)
“Like me!” - big crash, every light imaginable, lightning that shakes the theater, truly so much going on - ends with onstage fire & light smoke
after Doc exits, there is a loud helicopter-esque noise, a flash onstage, and then a big crash and some flashes

(okay lightning sequence over)

“time travel complete” - short blast of air
“the Pinheads!” - loud music and red everywhere, moving brain, sparkles, & moving arc pointed at/on audience
after the “yeah that’s the power!” with the family, there are 3 big booms and a flash of blue/white light
white flash and crash at the end
blue brain during bows with lots of flashing around the stage
brain colors change quickly during the encore song (there are sparkles and flashes around the stage but it’s not super bright)

Content Warnings

This kinda contains spoilers! Be warned!