After an extraordinary surge in ticket sales during the holiday season, Broadway box office numbers have come back down to earth. In the week ending January 7, the total gross for Broadway’s 26 productions was $29,681,396, marking a significant 35% drop from the previous week’s impressive $45,413,789. This decline can be largely attributed to the absence of the double-holiday effect, as both Christmas and New Year’s Eve fell within the same theatrical window the week before.
Attendance Decline
Not surprisingly, the drop in ticket sales was accompanied by a decrease in attendance. This past week, attendance was down approximately 14% to 219,787. However, it is important to note that the decreased attendance can be partly explained by the higher ticket prices during the holiday week. The average ticket price for last week was $135.05, a notable $42 lower compared to the holiday week.
Despite the overall drop in box office numbers and attendance, many Broadway shows still managed to bring in respectable figures. Out of the 26 productions, 15 grossed over $1 million, with three of them surpassing the $2 million mark. Notable members of the million-dollar club include popular shows like “Hamilton,” “Moulin Rouge!,” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Additionally, top earners for the week were “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” and “Sweeney Todd.”
Joining the lineup of Broadway productions this past week was “Days of Wine and Roses,” a musical adaptation of the 1962 film and the original 1958 teleplay. Directed by Michael Greif and starring Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James, the show filled all seats at Studio 54 for its first two previews, grossing $162,093. Excitement for the play’s opening night on January 28 is building.
Another new addition in previews was “Prayer for the French Republic,” a production by the non-profit Manhattan Theatre Club. Joshua Harmon’s play filled 91% of seats at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, taking in $366,523. The play is set to officially open tonight and has been generating buzz among theater enthusiasts.
Taking a broader view, the season-to-date figures for Broadway are quite impressive. Since the beginning of the season, Broadway has grossed a staggering $969,989,281, attracting a total attendance of 7,641,019. These numbers indicate the continued popularity and success of Broadway as an entertainment industry powerhouse.
The post-holiday season has brought Broadway box office back to reality, with a significant drop in both gross and attendance. However, many shows continue to perform well and draw in substantial audiences. The addition of new productions like “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Prayer for the French Republic” adds freshness and excitement to the theater scene. Despite the temporary slump, the overall season-to-date numbers reflect the enduring appeal and profitability of Broadway.