MTC’s venues are accessible to people with disabilities. We hope that the information on this webpage will be helpful as you explore our venues. If you have any questions or suggestions about Accessibility at MTC, please email [email protected] or call 212-399-3000.

For information about accessibility offerings at the Imperial Theatre where Water for Elephants will play, please visit: https://shubert.nyc/theatres/imperial/ and scroll down the page past the “Spotlight on Broadway” video.

AT THE SAMUEL J. FRIEDMAN THEATRE

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES AND T-COIL INDUCTION LOOP

Assistive listening devices and hearing-aid compatible devices are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. These devices are located at the podium to the left as you enter the inner lobby of the Friedman Theatre. The house manager or staff on duty will provide you with a headset in exchange for a credit card, driver license or other form of identification, which will be returned to you at the end of the performance. Please note: headsets not obtained at the theatre will not work with our enhanced listening systems.

Devices are cleaned after each use.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION (LIVE)

Live audio descriptions are provided at select performances at the Friedman Theatre. During an Audio Described performance, a live describer verbalizes the action happening on stage in real time. To opt-in for an audio description headset, you must register through the free TDF Accessibility Program (TAP). Find out how to become a member and book your ticket at www.tdf.org/tap. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Information about audio description performances in the 2023-24 season will be released when available.

BRAILLE AND LARGE PRINT PLAYBILLS

Manhattan Theatre Club offers Braille and Large Print versions of all Playbills. These are located at the podium to the left as you enter the inner lobby of the theatre.

ENTRANCE AND ELEVATOR

The entrance to the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre is located on street level at 261 West 47th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). An elevator, located at the right of the box office lobby, provides easy access to all levels of the theatre, as well as the Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Lounge (which has restrooms, concessions, coat lockers and the MTC gift shop) and the mezzanine lounge/restroom area.

MOTORIZED LIFT

The Friedman Theatre is equipped with a motorized lift. This provides easy access to seats in the front orchestra on house left (rows AA – F, odd-numbered seats) for those who have difficulty with stairs. Audience members who want to use this lift should speak with a member of the theatre staff when they arrive.

ON-DEMAND AUDIO DESCRIPTION (D-scriptive)

Audio description is available on-demand at any performance at the Friedman Theatre beginning 3 weeks after opening night. The pre-recorded audio description is delivered via a headset and a small receiver, using advanced technology to synchronize with the action on stage. The house manager or staff on duty will provide you with the equipment in exchange for a credit card, driver license or other form of identification, which will be returned to you at the end of the performance. Devices are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests wishing to use this service may receive a special code to use when booking tickets for a performance in the final weeks of a production’s run. For more information, please email [email protected]

On-demand audio description (D-scriptive) will be available for Prayer for the French Republic approximately three weeks after opening night. Please email [email protected] to confirm availability.

ON-DEMAND CLOSED CAPTIONING (iCaption)

Using the latest technology, closed captioning is available on-demand at any performance at the Friedman Theatre, beginning 3 weeks after opening night. The action on stage is synchronized with captions on a small handheld device displaying in real time. The house manager or staff on duty will provide you with the equipment in exchange for a credit card, driver license or other form of identification, which will be returned to you at the end of the performance. Devices are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests wishing to use this service may receive a special code to use when booking tickets for a performance in the final weeks of a production’s run. For more information, please email [email protected]

On-demand closed captioning (iCaption) devices will be available for Prayer for the French Republic approximately three weeks after opening night. Please email [email protected] to confirm availability.

OPEN CAPTIONING

Open Captioning is provided at select performances at the Friedman Theatre. Open Captioning is offered for those who have hearing loss and may not benefit from an assistive listening device. During an Open Caption performance, an electronic text display to the side of the stage shows the dialogue from the production and describes sound effects on stage in real time. All Open Caption performances are organized through the TAP program run by the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). If you are interested in attending one of these performances, please visit the Accessibility Programs page on the TDF website by CLICKING HERE for further details.

RESTROOMS

Accessible restrooms are located on the lower level Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Lounge and on the upper Mezzanine level. Members of MTC’s Patron Program have access to restrooms in the Patrons’ Lounge on the Premier Circle level.

Guests are encouraged to use the restroom that aligns with their gender expression or identity.

SEATING CHART

Click here for the Friedman Theatre seating chart.

SEATING FOR GUESTS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

The Friedman Theatre offers limited front orchestra seating for audience members who are blind or have low vision. These seats can be purchased at the Box Office or by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250 (outside of the NY metro area).

SEATING FOR GUESTS WHO HAVE LIMITED MOBILITY

If you have difficulty with stairs but do not need a seat with a removable armrest, you should purchase seats in the following locations:

  • Row P in the Orchestra
  • Row AA in the Premier Circle
  • Row F in the Mezzanine

In addition to wheelchair accessible seating, seats with removable armrests are available at the Friedman Theatre. Please be aware that the theatre has stairs in the aisles.

There are six seats with foldable armrests in the Orchestra (B101, F123, L130, N127, O101, O102), and two in the Mezzanine (F101 and F121).

When possible, please alert the Box Office or a Telecharge.com ticketing agent about any seating accommodations before purchasing tickets in order to ensure you get the most appropriate seating.

SEATING FOR GUESTS WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS

Wheelchair accessible seating may be purchased by phone, in person and online. If you use a wheelchair and cannot or do not wish to transfer to a theatre seat, please indicate that when purchasing your ticket to ensure that you are seated in an appropriate location.

There are six wheelchair seating locations in the Orchestra (A117, O125, O126, P101, P102, P119), and one in the Mezzanine (E2).

Please specify if you need non-transfer wheelchair seating when placing your ticket order. Seats adjacent to these seating locations are available for purchase for companion seating.

To purchase wheelchair seating for the Friedman Theatre, please visit Telecharge.com, call (212) 239-6222 or (866) 300-9761 (outside of the NY metro area) or visit the Friedman Theatre Box Office (261 West 47th Street).

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are welcome at the Friedman Theatre.

STEPS

In the Orchestra, there are steps at rows Q, O, N, M, L, K, J, H, G, and F. In the Mezzanine, there are steps at rows BB, A, B, C, D, E, and G.

TOUCH TOURS

Touch tours enhance the theatregoing experience for individuals who are blind or have low vision by bringing them on stage before the performance to explore the set with the assistance of an experienced audio describer.

Given the current public health emergency, we are unable to offer touch tours during the 2022-23 season.

VISUAL STORY

Click here for the Friedman Theatre Visual Story. Text-to-speech compatible.

AT NEW YORK CITY CENTER STAGE I

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES AND T-COIL INDUCTION LOOP

Assistive listening devices and hearing-aid compatible devices are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. These devices are located at the coat check counter on the first landing on the east side of the inner lobby. Individuals may avoid using stairs by taking the elevator to the Mezzanine level and crossing through the Patrons Lounge.

The house manager or staff on duty will provide you with a headset in exchange for a credit card, driver license or other form of identification, which will be returned to you at the end of the performance. Please note: headsets not obtained at the theatre will not work with our enhanced listening systems.

All devices are cleaned after each use.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION (LIVE)

Live audio descriptions are provided at select performances at New York City Center Stage I. During an Audio Described performance, a live describer verbalizes the action happening on stage in real time. To opt-in for an audio description headset, you must register through the free TDF Accessibility Program (TAP). Find out how to become a member and book your ticket at www.tdf.org/tap. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Information about audio description performances in the 2023-24 season will be released when available.

BRAILLE AND LARGE PRINT PLAYBILLS

Manhattan Theatre Club offers Braille and Large Print versions of all Playbills. They are located at the coat check counter on the first landing on the east side of the inner lobby.

ENTRANCE AND ELEVATOR

The entrance to Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center is located on street level at 131 West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Inside the west entrance, immediately to the left, is an elevator that services all levels of the theatre, including the first landing (B1 / Restroom), where the restrooms and coat check are located, and the main lobby (B2 / Stage I & Stage II), where the concession area and entrance to Stage I is located.

OPEN CAPTIONING

Open Captioning is provided at select performances at Stage I at New York City Center. Open Captioning is offered for those who have hearing loss and may not benefit from an assistive listening device. During an Open Caption performance, an electronic text display to the side of the stage shows the dialogue from the production and describes sound effects on stage in real time. All Open Caption performances are organized through the TAP program run by the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). If you are interested in attending one of these performances, please visit the Accessibility Programs page on the TDF website by CLICKING HERE for further details.

RESTROOMS

Accessible restrooms are available on the Mezzanine level (level B1 / Restroom via elevator). Members of MTC’s Patron program have access to restrooms in the Patrons Lounge located on the Mezzanine level.

Guests are encouraged to use the restroom that aligns with their gender expression or identity.

SEATING CHART

Click here for the Stage I seating chart.

SEATING FOR GUESTS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION

Stage I offers limited seating for audience members who are blind or have low vision. These seats can be purchased at the Box Office or by calling New York City Center Customer Care.

SEATING FOR GUESTS WHO HAVE LIMITED MOBILITY

Please be aware that the theatre has stairs in the aisles. If you have difficulty with stairs but do not need a seat with a removable armrest, you should purchase seats in Row AA.

In addition to wheelchair accessible seating, seats with removable armrests are available at Stage I.

When possible, please alert the box office or New York City Center Customer Care ticketing agent about any seating accommodations before purchasing tickets in order to ensure you get the most appropriate seating.

SEATING FOR GUESTS WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS

Wheelchair accessible seating may be purchased by phone, in person and online. If you use a wheelchair and cannot or do not wish to transfer to a theatre seat, please indicate that when purchasing your ticket to ensure that you are seated in a wheelchair seating location. These seats are available in row AA.

Please specify that you need a wheelchair seating location when placing your ticket order. Seats adjacent to the wheelchair locations are available for purchase for companion seating.

To purchase wheelchair seat locations for MTC productions at New York City Center Stage I, please call (212) 581-1212 or visit NYCityCenter.org.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are welcome at New York City Center.

STEPS

There are no steps required to access row AA. There is one step required to access row A. Beyond row A using the center aisles, each row up requires an additional two steps (i.e. row B requires 3 steps from ground level, row C requires 5 steps from ground level, etc.).

TOUCH TOURS

Touch tours enhance the theatregoing experience for individuals who are blind or have low vision by bringing them on stage before the performance to explore the set with the assistance of an experienced audio describer. 

Given the current public health emergency, we are unable to offer touch tours during the 2022-23 season.

VISUAL STORY

Click here for the Stage I Visual Story. Text-to-speech compatible.

MTC CREATIVE CENTER

ENTRANCE AND ELEVATOR

MTC’s Creative Center is located at 311 West 43rd Street on the 8th floor. There are two entrances to the building. Guests should use the entrance closer to 8th Avenue. There are two sets of glass doors leading to the building’s lobby. Two elevators are available for use. 

There is a glass door on the 8th floor used to enter the Creative Center. The buzzer located on the wall to the left of the door will alert the receptionist to your arrival.

RESTROOMS

There is one wheelchair-accessible restroom located on the east side of the floor. The gendered female restroom is located on the east side of the floor. The gendered male restroom is located on the west side of the floor.

Guests are encouraged to use the restroom that aligns with their gender expression or identity.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are welcome at the MTC Creative Center.