Off-Broadway Access Review -
Hold Me in the Water

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ID: image of the Hold Me in the Water 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

Playwrights Horizons - Mainstage

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

Bathrooms:

  • non-gendered & located down the left flight of stairs

  • there is an accessible restroom in the lobby as well

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater is up the flight of stairs (there is an elevator located to the right on the ground floor)

  • each row has a step with the exception of Row E

  • the theatre offers CC and assistive listening/t-coil devices, as well as large print & Braille programs

  • this show also has integrated open captions, audio description, and is relaxed (meaning house lights are partially up and there is a break space available)

  • they offer fidgets, ear defenders, and earplugs

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • the show runs 70 minutes with no intermission

  • I did not need earplugs for this show

  • there is a mirrored ball that comes down during the High Line bit and stays for much of the rest of the show - it’s never super shiny or flashy, but does operate as a mirror on Ryan’s back which reflects the footlights in front of him

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Purpose, Prayer for the French Republic, and Our Town

Pre-Show:  medium to loud volume music playing

Show:

  • begins with a sudden lighting dim and a drumroll, along with moving spotlights that somewhat wash over the front audience for about ~5-7 seconds

    • Ryan is also wearing a sparkly jacket, but this does not stay on for long

  • some deep pulsing bass after “let’s go to the Boiler Room” that is fairly quiet and you don’t feel it physically - this fades out and then returns a second time

  • first explicit sexual discussion is located after the Italian restaurant scene, it is fairly long (maybe 5 minutes?)

  • second explicit scene is after the “make love” conversation, probably about half of the length of the previous one

  • third explicit scene is later, it is slightly shorter than the previous one

  • the house lights come up a little bit more near the end as Ryan asks some rhetorical questions to the audience

  • the music returns after the show

Content Advisory

  • adult language

  • brief mention of smoking/being high

  • explicit descriptions of sexual activity (I will note in the show breakdown where these three specific scenes are located)