The Tony Award winning musical “Maybe Happy Ending” will kick off the 145th year of TDF’s Autism Friendly Performances with a 1pm matinee performance on August 17.
The musical will feature softer sounds and lights. Harsh and loud lighting and sounds can be jarring to a person who is autistic. There will also be some breaks during the show with staffed areas in the lobby.
Discounted tickets will be available exclusively through the TDF website – TDF.org – and will be available only to families, schools, and groups whose members are on the autism spectrum.
Other shows coming up that will have special performances are:
“The Lion King” on September 28
The Radio City Rockettes “Christmas Spectacular” on November 9
“MJ The Musical” on March 8, 2026
More shows will be announced at a later date.
TDF Executive Director Deeksha Gaur spoke on the program saying, “we couldn’t be prouder to launch our 14th season of Autism Friendly Performances with the poignant, Tony-winning musical for all generations, Maybe Happy Ending. This season will have something for everyone, from 2025’s Tony-winning Best Musical to the continued support of long-running shows like our inaugural AFP production The Lion King, the ever-popular Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, and fan-favorite MJ The Musical. We are so grateful to share this diverse lineup of shows with families and individuals impacted by autism in a no-judgment, no-apology environment where everyone is welcome. We look forward to announcing several more shows to round out the season soon.”
“Maybe Happy Ending” director Michael Arden added, “I am thrilled to be a part of creating an Autism Friendly Performance of Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway. This is a show about connection, care, and what it means to be seen and loved–themes that resonate deeply with all of us. At its heart, Maybe Happy Ending reminds us that everyone deserves belonging, and this performance is a meaningful step toward making theatre more inclusive. We hope this special event allows audience members to experience the show in a way that feels welcoming, joyful, and entirely their own.”
Over the history of the program, TDF has hosted numerous Broadway productions including, The Lion King, & Juliet, Aladdin, Cats, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, Come From Away, Elf: The Musical, Hamilton, Hadestown, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, How to Dance in Ohio, JOB, Kinky Boots, Mary Poppins, Matilda The Musical, MJ The Musical, My Fair Lady, New York City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Our Town, SIX, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The King and I, The Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked.