‘Dark Disabled Stories’ Invites Audiences to an Experiment in Unapologetically Accessible Theater
(The Hollywood Reporter, April 5, 2023)
Now a New York Times Critic’s Pick!
World Premiere
DARK DISABLED STORIES. Begins Feb 28. By Ryan J. Haddad Directed by Jordan Fein Produced by The Bushwick Starr
Discounted tickets for disabled individuals. Use code AccessDDS for $30 tickets at publictheater.org.
Logos for The Public Theater and the Bushwick Starr.
At the top right a gold banner has been added with black text that reads: NOW EXTENDED TO APRIL 9th!
DARK DISABLED STORIES
By Ryan J. Haddad
Directed by Jordan Fein
Produced by The Bushwick Starr
Presented by The Public Theater
The Public Theater & Joe’s Pub at Astor Place
Shiva Theater
425 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
February 28 – April 9, 2023
Run Time: 75 minutes, no intermission
Acclaimed writer and performer Ryan J. Haddad makes his off-Broadway playwriting debut with the hilarious and audacious DARK DISABLED STORIES.
Haddad’s newest autobiographical play is a series of unforgiving vignettes about the strangers he encounters while navigating a city (and a world) not built for his walker and cerebral palsy. Directed by Jordan Fein, DARK DISABLED STORIES probes implicit ableism and the assumptions we make about people we’ll never really know.
Performances began in The Public’s Shiva Theater with a Joseph Papp Free Performance on Tuesday, February 28, and have been extended to run through Sunday, April 9.
DARK DISABLED STORIES officially opened on Thursday, March 9.
The cast of DARK DISABLED STORIES includes Ryan J. Haddad, Dickie Hearts, and Alejandra Ospina.
DARK DISABLED STORIES Playbill
Accessible to screen readers
DARK DISABLED STORIES will offer Open Captions, Audio Descriptions, and American Sign Language at every performance.
- Captions and ASL are integrated into the design and staging of the production, so patrons need not sit in a designated area to access them. Still, we encourage members of the d/Deaf and hard of hearing communities to sit in the center of the house and at least a few rows back for optimal viewing.
- Audio descriptions of the production are included in the script’s text, and a separate device is not necessary to access the description.
- We have expanded our wheelchair and mobility disability seating access in the front row of the Shiva Theater for this production. Still, space is limited based on the capacity of the venue, and we ask that companions who do not require accessible seating choose companion seats in the second row for the performance. The Public may adjust seating locations before or upon arrival at the performance to reunite parties who have been separated during the reservation process.
- The Public may adjust seating locations before or upon arrival to assist in meeting accommodation requests from guests with disabilities. We appreciate your assistance and support of a welcoming and inclusive experience for all.
- The Public strives to create an inclusive and welcoming space where audience members can be free to be themselves for this production, and expectations about audience etiquette are relaxed at this performance. We will share specifics about this relaxed theater experience in our performance reminders.
- If you require additional assistance in purchasing your tickets or accommodation due to a disability, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling Audience Services at 212-967-7555
DARK DISABLED STORIES Social Narrative
Downloadable PDF that explains what it will be like to attend the show.
Discounted tickets are available for disabled and d/Deaf individuals.
Use code AccessDDS to access $30 tickets!
How to access tickets using the discount code:
- Go to http://publictheater.org/DDS
- Input the code AccessDDS into the “promo code” box that’s above the calendar and press “Apply”
- A pop-up will appear saying the code has been accepted; continue on and the performances will be unlocked to book into.
Via Broadway World:
Press Release via The Public Theater (PDF):
PRODUCTION PHOTOS (March 2023)
Photos by Joan Marcus, via The Public Theater on Facebook (image descriptions available)