Buena Vista Social Club
A TDF Autism Friendly Performance
See the hit Broadway musical featuring classic Cuban songs in a welcoming environment
1. Who is this show for?
This is a special performance for individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as people with other developmental or cognitive disabilities who may benefit, not for the general public. Please read the venue and content warnings below to determine if this show is a match for you.
2. When is the show?
- Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 1 p.m.
3. Where is the show?
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
236 West 45th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue
New York City
Ticket Prices
Orchestra: $72
Wheelchair accessible seats will be available for purchase.
Mezzanine: $65
TDF service fee: $2 per ticket
You need a TDF account to place a ticket order. If you do not have one, please fill out this form so we can create one for you.
Tickets for this performance are only available through TDF! Beware of secondary ticket sellers who may pretend to have seats at a much higher price.
About the show
In 1950s Cuba, singer Omara Portuondo meets musicians Compay Segundo and Rubén González, who invite her to perform with them at the Buena Vista Social Club. Omara becomes a regular performer there until rebels seize control of the Cuban government and close the nightclub. Forty years later, music producer Juan de Marcos invites these musicians to reunite to record an album preserving the legacy of the Cuban music they innovated. This show is based on a true story that also inspired a band, an album and a documentary, all named Buena Vista Social Club. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion and goes back and forth in time. All the dialogue is in English but most of the songs are performed in Spanish with no subtitles.
Other information
Age recommendation: 8 and older. Children under 4 will not be admitted.
Running time: 2 hours and 10 minutes including intermission
Accessibility: Orchestra seats do not require stairs. Wheelchair accessible locations are in the orchestra. The mezzanine is up one flight of stairs (31 steps) and there is no elevator. There is one wheelchair accessible restroom on the orchestra level. Infrared assisted listening devices are available as well as an induction loop for T-coil. You can find more accessibility information at TheatreAccess.nyc.
Refunds are on a case-by-case basis. If you have an exceptional case such as COVID within 30 days of the performance, you must send proof of a positive test to autism@tdf.org for TDF to issue a refund. TDF is not responsible for cast changes or inclement weather and cannot refund in such situations. Refunds are only issued if a performance is cancelled.
Content warnings:
- There is strong language, including profanity and sexual innuendo.
- There are moments of violence, including someone being beaten by security guards.
- Challenging themes are explored, including political revolution and forced separation of families.
- Sound adjustments will be made, but the live band may still seem loud to some individuals. We encourage you to bring headphones to wear at any time. TDF will also have a limited number of noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs.
What makes the performance autism-friendly?
To create an autism-friendly event, the show is performed in a welcoming, supportive environment for individuals with autism, sensory and communication disorders, or learning disabilities. Slight adjustments to lighting and sound are made for the performance. In the downstairs lobby, there will be a Break Area staffed by specialists in the field in case anyone needs to leave the theatre during the show. Downloadable resources, including a Visual Narrative with pictures of the theatre and the production, will be available on this page soon.
We can make no assurances that this performance will be suitable for everyone with autism. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for their family’s viewing and engagement with the performance.
TDF wishes to acknowledge the following donors for their generous support of TDF Autism Friendly Performances:
Anonymous, Darlene and Stuart Altschuler, Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Sharon Chertok, The FAR Fund, Howard Gilman Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Jane and In Seon Hwang, Morgan Stanley Soundview Complex, NEXT for AUTISM, Paul Hastings, Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Seventh District Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sony Corporation of America, Standard Industries, The Start It! Foundation, The Taft Foundation, Ronald and Catherine Weiss in honor of Joseph Flom
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council’s Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions. This program is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.