The Broadway box office experienced a slight decline of about 3% in overall receipts following the Presidents Day holiday highs. Despite this decrease, the total attendance for 24 shows remained steady at 205,020, which is approximately 94% of capacity. The productions collectively grossed $26,049,492 for the week ending February 25, with an average ticket price of $127.06, down from the holiday week’s average of $133.91.
While most shows reported a decrease in box office earnings from the holiday week, newcomers like Water For Elephants made a significant contribution. This circus-themed musical, which performed two previews at the Imperial, filled 94% of seats at the venue and added $344,493 to the overall tally. The show has an opening night scheduled for March 21. Similarly, The Notebook musical, based on the bestseller and hit movie, continued to attract large audiences during previews at the Schoenfeld, with 99.7% of seats filled and a gross of $880,360. The show’s opening night is set for March 14.
Doubt, another show in previews starring Amy Ryan and Liev Schreiber, earned $555,197 for seven performances at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre, filling about 92% of capacity. The show is scheduled to open on March 7. It is evident that these previewing shows are already making a significant impact on the Broadway box office performance.
Several shows managed to maintain high attendance rates of 95% capacity or more, including popular productions like Hamilton, The Lion King, and Moulin Rouge! These shows continue to attract large audiences and generate substantial revenue for Broadway. On the contrary, shows like A Beautiful Noise, Days of Wine and Roses, and Spamalot struggled to fill seats, with attendance rates as low as 60-72%.
Season to date, Broadway has grossed an impressive $1,143,520,021, with total attendance reaching 9,088,866. These figures indicate a strong performance overall, with Broadway continuing to be a lucrative entertainment industry. It is clear that despite some shows facing challenges in ticket sales, the theater district as a whole remains a significant source of revenue and cultural impact.
The Broadway box office’s performance reflects a mix of successes and challenges, with newcomers making a notable contribution to the overall earnings. As the industry navigates through various productions and audience preferences, it is essential to adapt and innovate to maintain Broadway’s status as a premier entertainment destination.