Resources for Parents
This guide will be regularly updated as more information about the show is available. Please check back for new information!
Your Visit
Bricolage is located at 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Limited street parking is available on Liberty Avenue. The closest public parking garages are the Smithfield Liberty Garage, the Greyhound Transportation Center, and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center; check the ParkPGH website or download their app for real-time updates on available parking downtown. The Pittsburgh Pirates play home games at 7:05 PM on most Saturdays and at 1:35 PM on most Sundays in May; please keep this in mind when planning your visit.
When you arrive, follow the posted signs to check-in. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Restrooms and changing tables are available at all times, and a breastfeeding area is available inside the Forest. While we will do our best to accommodate the unique needs of all participants, late guests may be unable to enter the Forest at their scheduled time. Participants can remain within the Forest for as long or as little as they like; most explore for between 30 and 90 minutes.
About The Show
The Forest of Everywhere is designed to be accessible to anyone who enjoys imaginative play. In our previous production of Welcome to Here, we found that this show is best suited to children between the ages of 3 and 9, as well as neurodiverse participants of all ages. Younger children who can walk or crawl on their own usually enjoy the experience as much as anyone else, but may be too young to follow parts of the story or fully explore the Forest on their own. Older participants’ enjoyment of the production may be limited by their desire to play alongside younger participants.
Sensory sensitivities were considered from the beginning in the creation of this work. There are no sudden surprises or anything younger children might consider “scary.” If your child has particular fears or sensitivities, or if you have specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Fred Frances, our Audience and Box Office Manager, at fred@webbricolage.org or 412.471.0999 so that we can help you have an enjoyable visit.
Where to Eat
You can view a list of nearby restaurants here. Condado Tacos and Bae Bae’s Kitchen are both favorites of the Bricolage staff and are located on our block, but be advised that they can both get crowded during peak hours.
Families attending the show with neurodiverse children can see our list of recommended restaurants below, including menus, hours, and sensory advisories. All of the listed restaurants have restrooms, allow substitutions, and are within five minutes walking distance of the theater. Have a recommendation for a sensory-friendly downtown restaurant not listed here? Let us know at fred@webbricolage.org.
Bakersfield
940 Penn Avenue • Map • Menu
Mexican Street Fare • $$$$$
Opens daily at 11 AM
Sensory Advisories: Bakersfield is a very trendy dinner spot, and is often quite busy beginning at 6 PM. Most of the upstairs seating is within a frequently-traveled area of the restaurant, with tables only a few inches apart. We recommend requesting a seat in the downstairs dining room, which is considerably less crowded (on Sundays, be sure to call ahead to sit downstairs).
Bill’s Bar & Burger
1001 Liberty Avenue • Map • Menu
Modern American Diner • $$$$$
Opens daily at 11 AM
Sensory Advisories: Bill’s Bar & Burger is located within the Westin Convention Center, and you have to pass through the building’s lobbies and hallways to reach the restaurant itself. These hallways are occasionally busy and could possibly echo. Additionally, there is a popular brunch with a different menu on Sundays from 11 AM – 2 PM. However, Bill’s Bar & Burger has more available seats (including booths) than any other nearby restaurant and can often seat you far from other patrons or televisions. When traveling between the restaurant’s dining rooms, please be prepared for somewhat sudden changes in light levels.
Jimmy John’s
1027 Penn Avenue • Map • Menu
Cold Subs & Lettuce Wraps • $$$$$
Opens daily at 10 AM
Sensory Advisories: During the lunch rush (11 AM – 2 PM), there may be a line to order your food. You can place your order ahead of time here (this location is located at 1027 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15222.). This Jimmy John’s location features large windows with a view of Penn Avenue and fluorescent lights, but the building’s design usually limits the amount of sunlight that comes inside. There is ample seating, including booths and seats that are not within close proximity of the register. This location is part of the same complex as the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, and may be busier on days that the Convention Center hosts a popular event.
Joe & Pie Cafe & Pizzeria
955 Liberty Avenue • Map • Menu • Breakfast Menu
Pizza & Breakfast, Both All Day • $$$$$
Opens Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 AM, Sundays at 8 AM; Closed from 1 PM to 2:30 PM Fridays
Sensory Advisories: Joe & Pie’s lighting is somewhat bright, with menus displayed on screens above the counter and a limited view of Liberty Avenue. Some seats are located very near the path one walks from the door to the counter. These factors are partially offset by the fact that Joe & Pie is primarily a delivery business, and its dining room is usually both quiet and uncrowded.
Sharp Edge Bistro
922 Penn Avenue • Map • Menu
Belgian-American Burgers & Bites • $$$$$
Opens daily at 11 AM
Sensory Advisories: The Sharp Edge Bistro’s storefront features large bay windows with a view of bustling Penn Avenue, and a number of televisions mounted above the bar. Both of these distractions are less visible from the family seating area than from the bar or foyer. While there is plenty of seating in the restaurant (including high booths which offer some privacy), there may be extra noise during peak hours (11:30 AM-1:30 PM, 4:30 PM-8:00 PM).
Subway
930 Penn Avenue • Map • Menu
Fast Food with a Healthy Kids’ Menu • $$$$$
Opens Thursdays and Fridays at 7 AM, Saturdays at 8 AM, and Sundays at 9 AM
Sensory Advisories: During the lunch rush (11 AM – 2 PM), there may be a line to order your food. You can place your order ahead of time here (this location is located at 930 Penn Ave.). This Subway location features large windows with a view of Penn Avenue and fluorescent lights, but a portion of the seating includes booths with a limited view of the street.
Ten Penny
960 Penn Avenue • Map • Brunch Menu • Lunch Menu • Dinner Menu
Upscale Casual • $$$$$
Opens Thursdays and Fridays at 11 AM, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 AM for brunch
Sensory Advisories: Ten Penny does steady business all day and is busiest after 4 PM. A large portion of the restaurant’s seating is at the bar and windows look out onto 10th Street – a busier stretch for cars than pedestrians. However, in making this list, we found Ten Penny’s staff to be extremely accommodating and willing to help. We recommend calling ahead for a reservation and asking to sit in a booth.