Circle In the Square Staff

[bryan2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 9:57am

I went to see the incredibly great JUST IN TIME yesterday and what should have been a walk in the park became a walk all over 50th street. I was accompanied by a friend who is 82 years old and uses a cane for assistance. We have been to many theaters and we always get access early due to the handicap and just because the staff at most theaters are so gracious. Yesterday I did the usual , went up to the front of the line and asked where the handicapped people should go to get entrance. The MISERABLE woman said that I should go inside scan my tickets and come back and stand to the right side of the line and we would be let in and assisted to the seats.

I got the tickets scanned (gentleman was very abrupt) and went back outside and we stood in line with others with special needs. Well the doors opened and we stood there and everyone else went in and we stood there and the other people in our line asked her when are we being let in...she said someone will come , so I waited (about 15 minutes) and asked her again and stated that my friend cant stand much longer due to his being a stroke victim can she do something, and she said I told you they will be coming. She then let about 100 other people in and was ignoring our line (all elderly and handicapped , about 7 people so it wasn't a huge amount). I said to her this is ridiculous, and she said I am trying to help you, I said well key word here is trying and you are being very rude and not trying hard enough , she said well she was very hot because of the weather ,,,>>>> WHAT.. they finally came and walked us up the street to another bldg and down 6 steps (struggle ) and onto an elevator and into the theater .

Once in the theater we were making our way to the seat (our aisle was empty thankfully for my friend because he has to move very slow with a cane) I showed the woman my ticket and she said ..these are you seats ...we sat down (the first three seats) and then the aisle filled up , only to find out we were not the first three seats but the last three....so everyone had to get up so we could make our way down the aisle which was difficult because of the walking ability of my friend. ....Sorry to whine but the staff should know which seats are which (I didnt see any numbers on the seats , they may have been there but we were so concerned with getting our friend seated and ready for the show .

I am just writing this because if a theater has limited handicapped accessability it should advise earlier (the theater where Little Shop does this) so we can make time and informed decisions prior.. They should also train the staff to not treat us like we were from a different planet and look bothered and basically disgusted at us. Remember we all get old and should be treated with respect !!!!!

 The woman who helped us when we left was Incredibly nice...kind and helpful to all on the elevator. She said she was new ....well the rest of the staff may need her to train them.....The funny thing in all this the show was so great and worth all of these problems for my friend...

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 10:12am

You should reach out to the theatre with your experience and complaints. 

[mshalo18]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 12:24pm

I had a very similar experience when I attended. There was a small group of us who had to practically beg to be taken to the elevator. Staff acted quite annoyed at our existence. They were infinitely nicer when I left. 
 

I had called ahead of time, but they definitely downplayed the lack of accessibility. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 12:52pm

With all due respect, this isn’t the Circle in the Square Help Line and your complaint should be addressed directly to the Circle in the Square offices. 

[phone]

[bryan2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:44pm

I have sent them a letter . I just wanted others on this site to be aware of this should they have handicapped people with them 

[bryan2]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 2:47pm

Thanks for the phone number. I just thought this is the best place to advise others that may be in the same situation what to expect. From what I can see I am not alone in. what has occurred at this theater.  

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 02:47 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:01pm

Sorry this happened. I'm guessing it's security and not the ushers since the ushers would be inside the lobby area. 

At the same time, I don't know what the protocol is but maybe they could only bring you to the elevator at certain times? Either way it's the treatment that sucks. Hopefully this will change after management has read your letter/complaint.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:10pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "With all due respect, this isn’t the Circle in the Square Help Line and your complaint should be addressed directly to the Circle in the Square offices.

[phone]"

With all due respect this is a forum to discuss broadway and broadway theaters.  Accessibility issues are a major issue and should be brought up and shared. 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:20pm

I don't have accessibility issues but I did think they had a poor setup the night I was there. People would get into lines and get all the way to the front before being told to go to another door so then they'd have to go to the back of another long line. I saw it happen to like 3 or 4 people near me (I happened to be at the right door). It seemed like they needed people at the bottom of the escalator saying what door to go to.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:22pm

Yes, Brody is just grumpy and strange. I've heard many stories and experienced this myself when I brought an older family friend to Oklahoma! years ago. She had ankle surgery, was on crutches and we had to ask several times for assistance. They audibly sighed and treated us like the biggest imposition in the world. I complained and they invited me comp tickets, but I declined.

You aren't alone Bryan and I'm sorry this happened to yet another person.

Updated On: 7/31/25 at 03:22 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 6:25pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "With all due respect, this isn’t the Circle in the Square Help Line and your complaint should be addressed directly to the Circle in the Square offices.

[phone]"

Speaking to a help line isn't going to address what is clearly a cultural problem of the house staff. Management is far more apt to do something when the problem is made public and it becomes a potential PR (and possibly even an ADA) issue. Trust and believe, this thread got the information to who needs to see quicker than an email ever would.