Broadway’s spring lineup has settled into a rhythm, with some shows maintaining strong box office draws and others experiencing downward slides. Among the top performers were sell-out hits like An Enemy of the People, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, and Hell’s Kitchen. Additionally, The Outsiders and Stereophonic saw significant increases in their ticket sales, with The Outsiders raking in $1,023,827 and Stereophonic bringing in $683,911. These shows were well represented among the Tony nominees, solidifying their places as crowd favorites.
While not reaching sell-out status, a second tier of newcomers also put on impressive performances during the week ending May 12. Appropriate saw an uptick of over $43,000, filling 91% of its seats. Mary Jane, Mother Play, Suffs, The Great Gatsby, and The Wiz all experienced box office jumps of over $100,000, playing to audiences at 91% to 95% of capacity. Illinoise, however, faced a setback with a canceled performance following a tragic event, resulting in a slight decrease in receipts despite filling 94% of its seats.
Shows like The Who’s Tommy and Lempicka saw noticeable increases in ticket sales, with Tommy earning $991,028 and Lempicka bringing in $419,472. The Notebook and Water For Elephants also experienced boosts in their box office numbers, while Uncle Vanya saw a significant drop in revenue. Shows like Patriots and The Heart of Rock and Roll struggled to fill seats, with attendance levels below 70%.
Despite the ups and downs, Broadway productions collectively grossed $35,727,377 for the week, marking a 3% increase from the previous week and a 14% increase from the same time last year. Total attendance was 286,841, at about 91% of capacity. While the season to date gross of $1,502,896,749 is slightly down from last year, total attendance remains steady at 11,995,066. These figures, provided by The Broadway League, showcase the ebb and flow of Broadway’s box office landscape.
Broadway’s spring roster reflects a mix of successes and challenges. While some shows continue to draw in crowds and receive critical acclaim, others struggle to maintain momentum. As the Tony season unfolds, it will be interesting to see which productions rise to the top and which face tougher competition. It is clear that the world of Broadway is ever-evolving, with each show’s performance playing a crucial role in shaping the overall narrative of the theater industry.