The Trigger Project is meant to be a resource for theatergoers who appreciate a heads-up. Understandably, productions want to protect the work– the twists, the stolen kisses, the fights, the cliffhangers – but sometimes, in order to fully enjoy a piece of art, a clue into potentially sensitive material within a piece goes further than the collective *Gasp* from the audience you partake in when Juliet dies at the end. (Hopefully, that wasn’t a spoiler. That’s Shakespeare, maybe you’ve heard of him?) We at Stage & Candor want you to feel comfortable and confident going into a production and give you the information and tools you need to make sure caring for yourself and being an audience member are not mutually exclusive. So be forewarned, there are so many spoilers ahead. Spoilers abound. We can’t say SPOILERS enough times to let you know that if you want to stay in the dark about the plot, this is not the page for you. If you’d like to continue, scroll down.
We are of the firm belief that many members of the Stage & Candor team possess super powers, but alas (poor Yorick, ha!) omnipresence was not one of them. We can’t see every show! If you have seen a production and would like to submit a trigger warning to be posted on this resource page, email tips to resources@stageandcandor.wpcomstaging.com.
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New York – Broadway
| Show |
Theater |
Genre |
Trigger |
| Aubergine |
Playwrights Horizons |
Play |
Death of a parent |
| Beautiful |
Sondheim |
Musical |
Discussion of domestic abuse |
| Book of Mormon |
O’Neil |
Musical |
Depiction of violence; Reference to genital mutilation |
| Chicago |
Ambassador |
Musical Revival |
Gunshots; Depiction of violence against women |
| Fun Home |
Circle in the Square |
Musical |
Discussion and imagery of suicide |
| Hamilton |
Richard Rodgers |
Musical |
Depictions of war; Violence |
| Les Miserables |
Imperial |
Musical Revival |
War; Gun Violence; Violence against women; Sexual assault |
| Matilda |
Shubert |
Musical |
Depiction of child neglect |
| Phantom of the Opera |
Circle in the Square |
Musical |
Discussion and imagery of suicide |
| The Color Purple |
Jacobs |
Musical Revival |
Depiction and discussion of domestic abuse and child abuse; Discussion of sexual assault |
| The Crucible |
Walter Kerr |
Play Revival |
Witchcraft; Torture; Excessive loud noise, screaming, etc. |
| The Humans |
Schoenfeld |
Play |
New York-based story with reference to 9/11/2001 |
| The Lion King |
Minskoff |
Musical |
Depicts parental death, violence |
| Waitress |
Brooks Atkinson |
Musical |
Depicts domestic abuse |
