Broadway Access Review -
Gypsy
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ID: image of the Gypsy 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
Majestic Theatre
All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the back left orchestra
Bathrooms:
divided into the binary but there is a sign that says “please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression”
located below the orchestra with the women’s on the left (by the merch stand) and men’s on the right (by the bar) and 9 steps below the mezzanine with 6 accessible non-gendered stalls next to the merch on the orchestra level
Other theater accessibility:
the theater has a step-free entrance, though the back half of the orchestra is up a flight of stairs
there is no elevator
the theatre offers CC, assistive listening, loop receivers, and AD devices
Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.
Light/Sound
I did not need earplugs for this show
there are bulb lights on either side of the proscenium that I will refer to throughout this review
the sensory accessibility is similar to that of Suffs
Act I:
the left orchestra aisle is used briefly
yellow headlights pointed at the audience after the street sign dance
after Small World - quick light on and then brief alternating bulb lights
~30 sec of on/off lights after the kids switch to adults - there’s enough space between each on/off that it doesn’t feel strobey
bang on the door while Mama is talking about her cow dream
“we’re gonna do a little dance” - ~30 sec of slow spinning star projections
Act II:
this act has a lot of sparkly costumes which cause some accidental strobe
You Gotta Get a Gimmick - brief alternating bulb lights at the end
Let Me Entertain You - begins with bright lights pointed out at the audience that rotate around slowly for ~15 seconds
~15 sec alternating bulbs after “but I’m not my mother”
moving white down lights over front orchestra for ~30 sec after Louise runs off in the red dress
some on/off pulses during jungle section
single flash when the curtain comes down
some white camera flashes that, as the light changes, become rather strobey for ~5-7 seconds
Rose’s Turn - pulsing “Rose” bulb lit sign behind her that flashes for ~10 sec and then alternates for ~20, followed by some red on/offs in the dark for ~45. This never feels strobey
Content Advisory
depictions of stripping/burlesque performance
harsh language
sexual innuendo & humor
use of the g-slur (it is only used as not someone’s name twice and in the same scene)