Broadway Access Review -
The Hills of California

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ID: image of The Hills of California 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

Broadhurst Theatre

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

Bathrooms:

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

  • located below the orchestra (women’s house left, men’s house right) with the accessible one next to the accessibility booth on the orchestra level

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater has a step-free entrance to the entire orchestra

  • there is no elevator

  • the theatre offers closed captioning, assistive listening, loop receivers, and audio description devices

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

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I did not need earplugs for this show

  • nearly all of the characters have fairly strong accents, so if you need a fidget to aid with auditory processing in that setting, I would recommend! 

  • cigarettes are smoked, you can sometimes smell them

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Appropriate and The Roommate (without the flashing light sections of both of those examples)

Pre Show: there is medium volume organ music playing

Act I: sibling wrestling/hitting (only once, it’s brief)

Intermission: there are some ocean sounds

Act II: Ruby chokes, but she’s okay! Also quite brief

Pause: this lasts 2 minutes, the house lights are half dimmed, and medium to loud music is playing with low bass plus piano

Act III: the jukebox gets progressively louder; Ruby has a full panic attack after Joan comes down the stairs

Content Advisory

  • CSA - specifically in Acts II and III

    • it is implied in Act II and discussed more explicitly in Act III

  • cancer/death/grief

  • mental health, including the depiction of a panic attack 

  • it’s a period piece, so there is some outdated language in regards to sex and race