Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor, MI

With all its concrete-and-glass modernity, you'd expect a completely handicapped-accessible facility, but the construction preceded the Americans with Disabilities Act by 19 years.  The theater, modeled after the "Greek theatre at Epidarus," according to their website, features aisles that are essentially long stairways that descend from the lobby level to the stage. Thanks a lot, ancient Greeks. The result is a facility with wheelchair access only in the back row of the main floor.  I'm still at the stage where I can get out of the wheelchair, hold on to the railings (which are sturdy and which run the length of the aisles), and walk to a better seat in the front, but some wheelchair users will be stuck in the back row.  The balcony is completely inaccessible to wheelchair users, as the elevator, strangely, only runs between the parking/box office level and the lobby level.  The multi-stall bathrooms in the lower level are likewise inaccessible, but there are three completely handicapped-accessible bathrooms on the main floor.  Not enough, if the theater is filled anywhere near full capacity, but better than nothing.

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