The final week of 2023 proved to be a double celebration on Broadway, with many shows experiencing a surge in box office numbers. Among them, Disney’s The Lion King emerged as the clear winner, grossing a staggering $4,316,629. Not only did the musical set a house record at the Minskoff Theatre, but it also established a Broadway record for the highest single-week gross ever. This achievement is even more impressive considering that The Lion King had nine performances, just like other productions during the holiday season.
With both Christmas and New Year’s Eve falling within Broadway’s final week of the calendar year, it was a festive time filled with tourists and high ticket prices. As a result, the total weekly gross for the 27 shows reached $45,413,789, representing a remarkable 36% increase compared to the previous week. However, it is important to note that this figure is approximately 13% lower than the previous year’s New Year’s Eve week total when there were 33 productions running simultaneously.
Total attendance for the week ending December 31 reached 256,751, marking a 14% increase compared to the previous week. However, it is essential to acknowledge that this figure represents an 18% decline from the previous year. Despite this slight downturn, approximately 96% of all seats were filled, reflecting the enduring popularity of Broadway shows. Such high occupancy rates are commendable, considering the vast number of available seats.
An important factor contributing to the robust box office numbers during the final week of 2023 was the surge in average ticket prices. The holiday season led to a significant spike, with the average ticket price reaching $176.88. This marked a considerable increase of $29 compared to the previous week and an even more substantial increase of $11 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Once again, The Lion King claimed its throne, with an average ticket price of $286.61, surpassing the usual front-runner Merrily We Roll Along, which had an average ticket price of $258.20.
In addition to The Lion King, various other shows experienced record-breaking numbers or achieved production highs in the final week of 2023. Notable highlights include:
– Wicked: The musical grossed an impressive $4,003,233 over nine performances, setting a house record at the Gershwin Theatre and representing the show’s highest gross in its two-decade run.
– Aladdin: With nine performances, Aladdin set a house record at the New Amsterdam Theatre, grossing $2,979,728.
– Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The non-musical production achieved a house record at the Lyric Theatre, grossing $2,718,488, which also represents the highest gross for a non-musical in Broadway history.
– MJ: This new production grossed $2,613,841 over nine performances, setting a house record at the Neil Simon Theatre.
– Chicago: The long-running musical recorded its highest gross in its 27-year run, earning $1,452,009 over nine performances.
– Some Like It Hot: This musical had its highest-grossing week, earning $1,398,818. However, it closed on December 30.
– I Need That: This play set a house record at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre, grossing $905,467.
– & Juliet: With $1,784,051 over nine performances, & Juliet achieved a house record at the Sondheim Theatre. Melanie La Barrie, who played Angelique, gave her final performance on December 30, and Charity Angél Dawson took over the role.
– Gutenberg! The Musical!: This production achieved a house record at the James Earl Jones Theatre, grossing $1,280,597.
– Six: With a gross of $1,659,004, Six achieved a house record at the Lena Horne Theatre.
– And many more shows, including The Book of Mormon, Hadestown, Merrily We Roll Along, Moulin Rouge!, Shucked, A Beautiful Noise, Spamalot, Hamilton, Back to the Future, Sweeney Todd, and Appropriate, posted impressive numbers during this week.
Last week, Prayer For The French Republic premiered with five previews at the Friedman Theatre, grossing $264,770. Opening night is set for January 9, and this new production is expected to make a significant impact on the Broadway scene.
Despite positive reviews, two shows performed below expectations in terms of attendance. Harmony, the musical by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, grossed $555,200 with 69% of seats filled at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Purlie Victorious, widely regarded as one of the best Broadway productions of 2023 by critics, had a gross of $601,535, and attendance reached only 59% of capacity at the Music Box Theatre.
Season to date, Broadway has grossed $940,307,885, representing a 3% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, the total attendance of 7,421,232 remains steady with the previous season—a testament to the enduring appeal of Broadway shows.
The final week of 2023 proved to be a remarkable time for Broadway, with The Lion King leading the charge in terms of box office success. The holiday season, combined with increased average ticket prices, contributed to a surge in numbers for many shows. While attendance fluctuated, even the shows with lower attendance numbers received critical acclaim. With a promising start for Prayer For The French Republic and the steady performance of Broadway overall this season, the future looks bright for the Great White Way.