‘Hamilton’ Is Changing the Face of Broadway – but Not How You Think

One can argue that runaway Broadway hit “Hamilton” has breathed new life into the theater, eliciting excitement even from those who would not have previously described themselves as theater fans.

But come intermission, where are these bigger crowds – this season saw a record-breaking 13.3 million visitors – going to go to the bathroom?

The larger crowds are posing problems for the old buildings, in which a lack of available restrooms have resulted in overwhelming lines, crowded lobbies and unhappy patrons – particularly women.

The growing Broadway crowd has made it particularly difficult for women to make it to the bathroom in time during intermission. Image via E!

To be fair, they make up 67 percent of the audience. And in ignoring their needs – and desires to not miss the expensive show they just paid for – Kathryn H. Anthony, a specialist on gender-released design issues at the architecture school of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, says theaters are discriminating against women. 

She also told the New York Times that the lack of facilities are affecting women psychologically. “It’s not a pleasant way to end Act I… having to dart to the restroom to try to avoid the line does divert your attention from what’s onstage.”

Some theaters have hired extra ushers to put out ropes and help direct traffic through the zig-zagging bathroom lines and get everyone back to the show, while others have bit the bullet to actually construct more restrooms. 

The Minskoff Theater was one tricky instance in which construction was ongoing during a popular, long-running production. In their case, they precariously added 14 new stalls while keeping a full house each night for beloved show “The Lion King.”

Locker rooms and old smoking lounges and bars have also been converted into women’s rooms in a desperate bid to curb the wait.

No mention has been made of simply extending the intermission past 15 minutes to give women more time to hit the restrooms.

And though the restroom wait is still the bane of theatergoer’s existence, at least the construction plans show that “for the first time, theaters are thinkin’ past tomorrow.”