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Broadway shows are making room for more theatergoers in 2027, with TDF announcing its biggest-ever season of autism-friendly performances, including The Book of Mormon, Wicked and Hamilton.
The TDF Autism Friendly Performances program, run by the nonprofit Theatre Development Fund (TDF), is entering its 15th season with 10 productions on the schedule, giving families with autistic and neurodivergent members more opportunities to experience Broadway without the usual sensory overload. The lineup includes returning favorites, a new musical and one particularly irreverent comedy making its debut in the program.
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The biggest news for 2027? The Book of Mormon will host its first-ever autism-friendly performance on Sunday, February 28, at 1pm at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. The Tony-winning musical, known for its decidedly adult humor and gleefully sacrilegious songs, joins Wanted, which will offer a performance on March 14 at 1pm at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
Meanwhile, Hamilton returns on May 16 at 1pm at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, followed by Wicked on June 13 at 1pm at the Gershwin. Both productions have previously participated in TDF's program, which launched in 2011 with The Lion King.
Those four shows join a season that has already included Ragtime, Hadestown, The Great Gatsby and Maybe Happy Ending. The upcoming lineup also features The Lion King on January 31, 2027, at the Minskoff Theatre and the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes on November 8, at Radio City Music Hall.
So what exactly makes a Broadway performance autism-friendly? Productions make sensory-conscious adjustments where possible, including reducing jarring sounds and strobe lights. House lights remain on, and staffed break areas in the lobby allow audience members to step out whenever they need a breather. TDF also provides downloadable visual guides featuring photographs of the theater and production, helping families prepare for what they'll encounter before the curtain rises.
TDF purchases every seat in the theater for these performances, then offers discounted tickets exclusively to families, schools and groups that include individuals with autism or other sensory, communication, intellectual, cognitive or developmental disabilities. Tickets are distributed through password-protected Eventbrite links, so interested theatergoers should sign up for the program's mailing list to receive on-sale announcements.
The next ticket-release dates are December 9, for The Lion King; January 13, 2027, for The Book of Mormon; January 27 for Wanted; April 7 for Hamilton; and May 5 for Wicked. For more information, click here.