Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: Florida - Southern

Providing Accessibility to Theatre

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts now proudly brings the joy of theater to everyone, with special performances for the hearing and vision impaired.  Several organizations partner with the Broward Center to make the programs possible including Lighthouse of Broward, Broadway Across America-Ft. Lauderdale and Florida Theatrical Association.  "The Broward Center, with support from Lighthouse of Broward, was the first theater in the state to offer audio described performances for our exciting Broadway shows.  Ensuring accessibility for all in our community has been a priority for the Broward Center, and we are delighted to collaborate with many partners to offer new technologies that bring the theater to life for our patrons," said Broward Center President and CEO Kelley Shanley.  "We look forward to celebrating an anniversary year that invites everyone to enjoy the theater."

Special options are available at select performances of shows presented by Broadway Across America-Ft. Lauderdale and Florida Theatrical Association in partnership with the Broward Center.  One performance of each show will feature both open-captioned and audio-described performances. Audio description enables audience members with low or no vision to hear narration, on special headsets, of a performance's visual elements, including lights, costumes, actions and scenery, between the dialogue and songs.   Open captioning features a text display located to the side of the stage which scrolls dialogue and lyrics synchronized with the performance.  Select performances also feature an interpreter using American Sign Language to describe the vocal line of the production, including dialogue, song lyrics and sound effects.   Assistive Listening Devices that amplify and clarify the sound are available at performances at the Broward Center at no charge, on a first come, first served basis.  

2010-2011 SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Young Frankenstein
*Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, October 16 at 2 p.m.

Burn the Floor
*Friday, November 26 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, November 27 at 2 p.m,

Rock of Ages
*Friday, January 7 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, January 8 at 2 p.m.

Les Misérables
*Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, January 29 at 2 p.m.

West Side Story
*Friday, February 25 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, February 26 at 2 p.m.

Wicked
*Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m.

Hair
*Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m.
**Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m.

*Indicates Signed Performances

**Indicates Opened Captioned and Audio Described Performances

Patrons should specify accessibility needs or seating for open captioning and audio description when ordering.  

The Broward Center's facilities feature ADA-approved signage, handrails and automatic door openers as well as wheelchair accessible seating, companion restrooms and public areas.   The Wayne and Marti Huizenga Family Skywalk, which connects the Arts & Entertainment Parking Garage with the Horvitz Grand Lobby in the Au-Rene Theater, allows easy access to the theater for patrons with disabilities. A second entry is located at the bottom of the driveway entrance and patrons with limited mobility may be dropped off in the front driveway.  

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts houses the Au-Rene Theater, the Amaturo Theatre, and the Abdo New River Room, and has affiliated venues at the Parker Playhouse, the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, the Miramar Cultural Center and the newly opened Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.  

Presentations at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support is also contributed by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Performing Arts Center Authority, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera., Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and The Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Visitors Bureau. For any of the offerings of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts you may contact them by phone at 954-462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.org. A telecommunications device (TTY) is open during regular box office hours by calling 954 - 468-3283.


See the current theatre season schedule for southern Florida.

-- John Lariviere