Broadway Access Review -
Merrily We Roll Along

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ID: image of the Merrily We Roll Along 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

(Hudson Theatre)

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

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 down a flight of stairs to the left of the orchestra (it’s right next to the merch) and on the dress circle level with accessible options in the orch and dress circle

Other theater accessibility:

  • the entrance to the theatre is step-free, as is the orchestra. There is an elevator to the dress circle and ambassador lounge, though the dress circle requires minimum 2 steps for seating.

  • they offer closed captioning, assistive listening, loop receivers, audio description devices, and KultureCity sensory bags available in the lobby

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • the vast majority of lighting transitions in this show are smooth fades - most of the light cues I have noted here are less eye strain and more a tiny startle 

  • the sensory accessibility of this show if very similar to that of the majority of the plays from the last season

  • I did not need earplugs for this show, though there are a handful of moments where the brass gets slightly loud

  • during the various iterations of “rolling along”, there are often quick light shifts on the “long” of the third one

Act I:

  • the music starts before the lights go down which may be startling - house lights stay halfway up for the Overture 

  • quick lighting change when Frank walks out 

  • “long” light shift

  • quick light shift on the claps (I believe this is That Frank)

  • 4 camera flashes

  • after the lawyer gives a toast, a platter is thrown semi-loudly

  • logo projection turns on quickly on the last beat of Franklin Shepard, Inc

  • “long” light shift

  • Courthouse scene - a handful of small camera flashes, a break and then maybe ~30 seconds of continuous camera flashes. They are very bright white but also tiny

  • Now You Know

    • brass is kind of loud

    • quick light change when Frank walks to the edge of the stage

    • loud end of song & blackout

Act II:

  • again, music starts before lights are down

  • very sparkly outfit - end of this song has alternating bulb lights around the proscenium that move more at the end

  • a few quick on/off downlights during party 

  • loud music (in comparison to what has been happening) after “you’re a treasure”

  • more sparkly dress, though less sparkles than opening

  • sparkly shiny party curtain comes down, it stays for about 2 scenes, going off after the wedding – this was the only thing that felt like eye strain for me

    • small crash noise during the Russian opera bit

    • referee whistle after violin bit

    • second whistle during Frank’s monologue

  • small moving light over the cast when they all bow together in a line at the end

Content Warnings

Mary is an alcoholic in the first scene and it is brought up in a later scene, but that is it!