Flexibility of handicapped seating for Hello Dolly...

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:39am

I have an unusual situation I'm trying to resolve. I want to take my 94 y/o grandmother to see Hello Dolly. There is handicapped seating available on scattered dates. The problem is, she has good days and bad days. And she is also nervous about anything on her schedule and whether she will be in good enough health to attend, to the point where it can negatively affect her health.

So, I'm thinking of picking a day, driving home the day before... and when she wakes up, just say we're going to see Hello Dolly. If she is feeling good, then no problems.

Beyond that, I'm wondering what happens if it is a bad day. Primarily:

Option 1 - How close to showtime can I cancel a ticket through Telecharge? I know there is a cancellation line, so I guess is that something I might be able to use, and just flip to another date for a non-handicapped seat and no grandmother?

Option 2 - So, I'm buying a handicapped seat, and plan to take my grandmother in a wheelchair to attend. If she bails, how bad is it to show up with two able-bodied people just showing up and using the seat?!

She keeps saying forget about it, I saw a lot of shows already, but I'm trying to figure out the angles... heh. And she does admit that aside from the health concerns (and honestly, 85% of her days she will be OK to go), she really would like to see it. 

Anyone know?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:50am

i sadly don't know, but what a grandson! Definitely pulling that everything works out perfectly :)

If 85% of the time she'd be fine, then it's worth rolling the dice. I would do what you suggested and surprise her. Worst case scenario you eat some (a lot of) money but it was worth a shot for your grandmother. I'd be ok with that. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 5:24am

Just because there is a cancellation line, doesn't make it sure that you will be given the chance to get your money back.    I would suggest calling Telecharge customer service and ask them.

 

As for using the seats as able bodied, if it comes that...I wouldn't worry.  You know your intention was in the right.

[jetcmh]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 7:51am

I used the seats last Saturday, and using the seats for two non-handicapped persons will not work. One space is just an empty spot to put a wheel chair into.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 8:05am

Also if there was a handicapped seat there, the venue can deny you sitting there and not refund your tickets.  It doesn't matter what the original intention was.  I bought a ticket to a concert and after purchasing I noticed when I printed the ticket it stated wheelchair.  It did not state wheelchair on the map when I purchased.  It was an error on their part.  I called and was told by a supervisor that the venue could deny my seating because I was not in a wheelchair and not refund my money.  I was told the venue controls the seating.  I did not want to take the chance and had the tickets refunded.  Of course, the theater management of Hello Dolly or any Broadway theater may be different.  But why take a risk with your money?

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 8:44am

I don't think they would deny your entry, at least I wouldn't think they would. Both times I've used handicap seating, there was a regular seat that was able to come out if need be. The first time was Grounded at The Public (my boyfriend at the time had MS) and the second time was Cabaret, where my friends mom had a bone disease. For Grounded, he looked perfectly healthy and was not in a wheelchair and didn't said a word. For Cabaret, they offered to make it a wheelchair spot and she said she could sit in the regular seat.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 9:33am

I'm rolling the dice a bit myself come June. I did not buy wheelchair accessible seats and I have not one, but two people arriving in wheelchairs. As of now, both feel very confident they can sit in a regular seat for the show. I have two Row G Center Orchestra seats for them smack in the middle of the row, so once they're down they won't have to get up to allow others out. We are going to hit the handicap bathroom across the street before the show so we shouldn't need an intermission run. 

I called Telecharge to discuss wheelchair options (Shubert wouldn't give me the time of day). They said although I had not purchased wheelchair seating, if the spot was open at the performance and I needed it that could be a possibility and I can ask for it. My feeling is there is some flexibility depending on the circumstances, so good luck. 

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 09:33 AM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:34am

jetcmh said: "I used the seats last Saturday, and using the seats for two non-handicapped persons will not work. One space is just an empty spot to put a wheel chair into.

 

"

I don't know how this specifically works at the Shubert but many theaters do keep movable chairs for handicapped spots. They can be moved away if the wheelchair will be in use but many people who come in sitting in wheelchairs often switch to the regular chairs for the show. Or some days there are no wheelchair requests.

It doesn't make sense that a theater would keep two bare areas without chairs if no wheelchairs are needed that day. They just put regular patrons in the chairs. That way they don't lose money on empty spots. 

[Kad]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:51am

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that a venue cannot determine whether or not you're handicapped. If you buy a handicapped seat, they legally can't question your need for it.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:42am

The issue though is if seats are physically removed to accommodate a wheelchair in that space.

I work in a theater that has several removable wheelchair locations and in some areas creating the space for a wheelchair and a companion seat necessitates using five total normal seat locations.  What I've seen quite often for well sold performances is that people purchase these seats and nobody in their party is wheelchair bound.  And this is despite repeated disclaimers online and over the phone while purchasing these seats that these locations are specifically intended for people who are wheelchair bound and a companion.  These patrons are ignoring those warnings and coming anyway as it's their only ticketing option for that performance.  They show up and there is literally nowhere for them to sit and that's their own fault.

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 11:42 AM

[SueBee06]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:01pm

KathyNYC2 said: "jetcmh said: "I used the seats last Saturday, and using the seats for two non-handicapped persons will not work. One space is just an empty spot to put a wheel chair into.

 

"

I don't know how this specifically works at the Shubert but many theaters do keep movable chairs for handicapped spots. They can be moved away if the wheelchair will be in use but many people who come in sitting in wheelchairs often switch to the regular chairs for the show. Or some days there are no wheelchair requests.

It doesn't make sense that a theater would keep two bare areas without chairs if no wheelchairs are needed that day. They just put regular patrons in the chairs. That way they don't lose money on empty spots. 

 

Basically, if they know a wheelchair is coming, they remove the seat before the audience comes in. If I remember correctly, they'll usually ask when the ticket is ordered whether it's for a wheelchair or if it just needs to be accessible (aisle seat with no steps that a person can easily get to or transfer into from a wheelchair).

 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 12:50pm

I've been in theaters where a patron with a wheel chair comes and and he/she is asked if they would like to sit in a regular chair or would they prefer to remain in their wheelchair. If they remain in the wheelchair, the seat is moved out of the row.  Besides not every handicapped person is in a wheelchair. Obviously this happens in an area that can be used for people with disabilities...

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 12:50 PM

[Sugar78]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:20pm

I use a wheelchair and I've bought tickets only for wheelchair spaces after having a horrible experience with an aisle transfer seat (a man was furious with me for not standing up after the show while I was waiting for my wheelchair to be retrieved).  I'd be very reluctant to go in without a specific ticket purchased to accommodate my wheelchair,  but I also don't live locally so I really need that certainty when I'm making a trip to see shows. My tickets always come with a note that states they will reseat anyone who shows up and doesn't have a legitimate need for that space. I assume it's easier to regulate the wheelchair space seats than the aisle seats in terms of identifying whether the ticket holder has a legitimate need for that particular type of seating. Either way, accessible seating is extremely limited, so I appreciate any attempt they make to reduce misuse.

Also, it's "disability/disabled", not "handicapped", and "wheelchair user", not "wheelchair bound/confined." A wheelchair is a tool of independence that gives the user the ability to experience and enjoy life. Quite the opposite of being "bound", actually.

[Esther]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:30pm

I'd call Telecharge directly & ask to speak to someone about Accessiblity/Mobility seating &  explain your scenario(s) to them. 

 

 

 

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 4:07pm

Sugar78, I apologize for my wording.  No offense was intended.

[Olivia11]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 6:52pm

Many of those seats show a wheelchair on the seating map, but if you pull them up, they state handicap, low hearing, low vision, etc., so they are not just for wheelchair access. 

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 7:00pm

As someone who has been with my wheelchair partner twice to Hello, Dolly! I can answer a bit of your query. All of the orchestra area is accessible. The back row has wheelchair spots with a companion seat next to them. There are also a number of other seats within the orchestra on the aisle that you can transfer to if you are able to stand-transfer. If this is the case, make sure you get a designated accessible aisle chair though and don't just select any seat in the orchestra because the rows are so close together, that you have to shuffle on your side to get to your seat. I saw one poor lady try to get to her chair in centre orchestra and in the end gave up because it was just too difficult for her to physically get there - (luckily, someone from the aisle kindly swapped with her).

 

if you will not be transferring out of a wheelchair, then there will be an empty space for the chair and one companion seat next to it. They do have chairs if you want to have one, I observed a man turn up in his gopher and ask for a chair. They did question him saying 'but you requested a wheelchair spot' however, they got a crew member to come over and he screwed a chair into the spot so it is possible to do. It was a little bit of work, so I would warn them ahead of time.

During the curtain call, my partner became a bit agitated because everyone was standing and he wanted to see Bette and the cast take their bows (who wouldn't want to see that??) and, due to his illness, he doesn't understand why the audience were standing. He wheeled himself over to the aisle so he could glimpse Bette and unfortunately all those people who decide to leave early got caught up with him blocking their exit. 

When you arrive at the theatre, make yourself known to one of the guards, and they will let you into the lobby and then you will be seated first. At the end, make your way to stage door - my partner go a hug from Bette because security will ensure wheelchairs are in front of the barrier (or they did when we were there).

I am not sure about exchanges of tickets or sitting in a designated spot if not in a wheelchair, however if you explain that the person was unwell and couldn't attend, I am sure the theatre would be reasonable. All the best.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 10:34pm

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I think so far, assuming I do it, I will only select the transfer seat option, so that if she were to bail, at least we'd have seats and not the wheelchair spot or anything. She normally uses a walker, so she could transfer easily. Just debating on whether to pul the trigger on booking the seats now, ack.

We shall see...

[couldbnwouldbn]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 11:42pm

After reading all of the posts we decided to purchase wheelchair seats just now for June.  My wife uses a wheelchair and can't move to a seat and we were surprised to see these seats still available for $89.  Hopefully the view isn't too bad, we were just shocked how low the price was considering everything else was basically sold out.  Really looking forward to seeing this.  

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/17/17 at 12:05am

The view is great. You miss a few seconds of the two boys upstage on the top of the set in one scene and of course any standing ovation. Other than that, everything is in perfect view! It is really worth it.