Broadway Access Review -
Suffs

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ID: image of the Suffs 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

(Music Box Theatre)

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the middle left mezzanine

Bathrooms: 

  • divided into the binary, though there is a sign that says “Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity and expression”

  • located beneath the orchestra and between the orchestra and mezzanine with an accessible one on the orchestra level

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater’s entrance is step-free

  • there is no elevator

  • they offer assistive listening, loop systems, audio description, and closed captioning devices

  • the ticket counter has covering over the glass so if you need to lipread to understand what they are saying, it can be difficult

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I did not need earplugs for this show

  • there are a handful of quick light shifts at the ends of songs, but otherwise the majority of the cues are fades

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is very similar to that of The Notebook and Merrily We Roll Along

  • there are purple LED bulb lights on either side of the stage pointing center pre-show, they don’t really get used and are also super tiny so you don’t quite notice

  • the right orchestra aisle is used once, as are the boxes

Act I:

  • slow-ish spinning pinwheel downlights near the end of Let Mother Vote, lasts ~15 seconds

  • slightly loud moment after Ida & friends sing in front of the DC curtain (this is The March)

    • there are some small light pulses during this song

  • some photo flashes during the next scene(s), there are 6 total and they’re all gentle flashes - first 3 are on the left and the next 3 are on the right

  • brief alternating bulbs (on the sides) at Belmont’s entrance

Act II:

  • The Young Are at the Gates - after the Wilson banner goes up, there are red and white alternating lights with a small siren sound that lasts ~15 seconds

  • harsh bell after “respectfully yours, Dudley Malone”

  • they slam their bowls on the table which is loud

  • single white flash (I think it was just on the right) after the doctor calls Alice a bitch

  • Fire & Tea - fire! There is some visible haze from the fire, I didn't smell smoke, may be different closer to the stage

  • single photo flash after the Wilson speech

  • some quick light changes in the song between Alice and Carrie

  • some light pulses in Keep Marching

Content Warnings

  • mentions of infertility 

  • death 

  • descriptions of force-feeding