Oy, what a mish-mash of good and bad accessibility. Opened in 1973, it seems too modern to be inaccessible, but we have to remember that the Americans with Disabilities Act didn't become law until 1990. While non-disabled patrons take the escalator or stairs to the orchestra level, there is an elevator for wheelchair users. So far so good. But, once they get there, wheelchair users are consigned to the very back row unless they can transfer out of the chair and walk down steps that lead to every other seat in the place. Hello, what if I'm a disabled person who doesn't want the worst seats in the theater?
On the bright side, bathrooms are completely handicapped-accessible, and the staff control access to the elevator, but that's both good and bad. Before they allow the general public entry to the theater, the staff pick out the patrons in wheelchairs and herd them into the elevator, which imparts kind of a "Jerry's Kids" vibe of being on display. I suppose I should be grateful that they take their job so seriously, but it messes with my self-image that I'm cool and sophisticated in spite of needing a wheelchair to go to a Broadway show.
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