The week leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday saw a decline of 7% in the Broadway box office. The 29 shows brought in a total of $27,060,113 in receipts. This decrease in revenue can be attributed to a variety of factors, including lower attendance and drops in box office for most productions.
Attendance for the week ending November 19th was 228,423, which is approximately 86% of capacity. However, this represents a 3% decrease from the previous week. Even more concerning is the fact that the attendance figure is 12% lower than the same time last year. These numbers indicate a significant drop in interest and demand for Broadway shows.
Several productions experienced drops in box office during this period. Harmony, in its first full week of post-opening performances, saw a decrease of $18,483 to $625,411 at the Barrymore. Spamalot, despite having four previews and four regular performances, also suffered a loss of $74,565 to $678,666 at the St. James. These declines can be attributed to factors such as increased competition, lackluster reviews, or simply a decrease in public interest.
While some shows struggled, others achieved positive results. Melissa Etheridge: My Window saw an increase of $43,239 to $371,784 for five performances. The Shark is Broken experienced a minor decrease of $3,691 to $346,797, and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding had a notable increase of $48,986 to $425,253 (excluding receipts from live simulcasts). Merrily We Roll Along grossed an impressive $1,884,080, setting a new house record at the Hudson. The Lion King also saw a boost, with an increase of $54,008 to $2,044,902.
How To Dance In Ohio, a new production, made its debut at the Belasco. Despite still finding its feet, the show managed to attract an attendance rate of 79% of capacity and grossed $315,339 for six previews. Opening night is set for December 10th, and it remains to be seen how this production will perform in the coming weeks.
Overall Season Performance
Season to date, Broadway has grossed an impressive $735,145,429, with a total attendance of 6,037,408. These figures illustrate the overall strength and popularity of Broadway as an industry. However, the recent decline in box office numbers raises concerns and highlights the need for strategic measures to maintain audience interest and support.
The Broadway box office experienced a 7% slide in the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Decreased attendance and drops in box office for most shows contributed to this decline. While some productions saw gains, such as Merrily We Roll Along and The Lion King, others struggled to maintain their audience numbers. The introduction of new shows, like How To Dance In Ohio, adds an element of uncertainty to the future of Broadway. As the season progresses, it is crucial for the industry to find innovative ways to attract and retain theatergoers. Only through diligent efforts and strategic planning can Broadway continue to thrive and entertain audiences for years to come.