The Great Gatsby
A TDF Autism Friendly Performance
See this musical based on the classic novel 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 information below to determine if this show is a match for you.
2. When is the show?
- Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 1 p.m.
3. Where is the show?
Broadway Theatre
1681 Broadway at 53rd Street
New York City
The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.
Ticket Prices
Orchestra: $75
Front Mezzanine: $70
Rear Mezzanine: $60
Wheelchair accessible and companion seats: $60
All tickets will be sold through a password-protected Eventbrite link. Click here to sign up for our email list to receive the link.
Tickets for this performance are only available through TDF! Beware of secondary ticket sellers who may pretend to have seats at much higher prices.
About the show
Based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the musical The Great Gatsby takes place in the seaside communities of 1920s Long Island, NY. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who becomes involved in the lives of socialites Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan and Tom Buchanan. While Gatsby attempts to rekindle his relationship with Daisy, Nick marvels at their wealthy lifestyle. He soon learns that money can’t buy the most important things in life.
Other information
Age recommendation: 10 and older. Children under 4 will not be admitted.
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including intermission
Accessibility:
- Entrances: The Broadway Theatre is accessible without steps from the main entrance. A wheelchair accessible restroom is located in the lobby.
- Seating: Wheelchair and companion seats are located in rows F, Q and S of the orchestra. The mezzanine is up two flights of stairs (31 steps with landings), with an additional two steps between rows. There is no elevator. There is very limited wheelchair accessible seating at this theatre and reseating is not guaranteed. When purchasing tickets, please find a location that accommodates your group size and accessibility needs. We recommend using SeatPlan to determine the best seating for your party.
- Assistive listening and audio description: Assistive listening devices and prerecorded audio description are available. Reserve a device at soundassociates.com.
- Closed captioning is available through the GalaPro app. Handheld devices are also available.
- For additional accessibility information, visit theatreaccess.nyc.
Refunds are on a case-by-case basis up to 30 days before the performance. 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 canceled.
Content and Venue Advisory:
- Language: There’s mature language, including profanity and sexual innuendo.
- Violence: Weapons are used onstage. Characters are killed: one is hit by a car, another is shot. One character uses a gun to take his own life. There are scenes depicting domestic violence, including physical intimidation, emotional abuse, physical and sexual assault.
- Mature themes: Challenging topics are explored, including substance misuse, infidelity, poverty, emotional manipulation, abuse, sexism and marital conflict.
- Sensory: Flashing pyrotechnics are used. Characters smoke cigarettes onstage and the smell carries into the audience. Gunshot sound effects are used.
- Communication and social cues: Many characters use broad facial expressions and sarcasm to communicate their emotions. Characters exhibit attitudes that were common in the 1920s but are considered offensive today.
- Venue: The orchestra pit is designed to look like a swimming pool and actors periodically emerge from it.
What makes the performance autism-friendly?
To create an autism-friendly event, the show is performed in a welcoming, supportive environment for individuals on the autism spectrum, with sensory sensitivities, communication challenges and/or learning disabilities. Slight adjustments to lighting and sound are made for the performance. There will be Break Areas staffed by autism specialists in case any theatregoers need to leave their seats 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 children’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, The New York Community Trust, 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 and Substance Use and the Committee on Disabilities. 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.