The recent additions to Broadway’s lineup have been met with a warm reception from audiences, with shows like An Enemy of the People, The Notebook, and The Who’s Tommy drawing in large crowds. An Enemy of the People, starring Jeremy Strong, Michael Imperioli, and Victoria Pedretti, emerged as the top performer of the week, raking in an impressive $1,109,137 at Circle in the Square. The show, set to open on March 18, managed to sell out every seat in the house.
Other newcomers such as The Notebook and The Who’s Tommy also enjoyed full houses during their preview performances. The Notebook, a musical adaptation of the popular book and film, brought in $769,387 at the Schoenfeld, while The Who’s Tommy, currently in previews at the Nederlander, made $345,129 in just two shows. Water For Elephants, playing at the Imperial, had a successful run of seven previews, grossing $723,077 and filling 93% of seats. With an opening night scheduled for March 21, the show has generated significant buzz among theater enthusiasts.
While the new arrivals are making waves on Broadway, established productions such as Sweeney Todd and Hadestown continue to thrive. Sweeney Todd, featuring Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster, recorded its best revenue in recent weeks, earning $1,312,391 at the Lunt-Fontanne. Similarly, Hadestown, playing at the Walter Kerr, grossed $1,107,953, showcasing its sustained popularity among audiences. The perennial favorite Wicked remained a top earner for the week, bringing in $1,836,268.
Despite the success of individual shows, the Broadway industry experienced a slight increase in revenue compared to the previous week. However, the total figures were still lower than the same period last year, indicative of the challenges faced by the theater industry. With a total revenue of $24,545,774 and an attendance of 204,915, Broadway is working hard to maintain its position as a cultural hub. The season-to-date figures reveal a total revenue of $1,191,502,256 and an attendance of 9,492,511, highlighting the enduring popularity of Broadway productions among audiences.
The recent influx of new shows and the continued success of established productions demonstrate the dynamic nature of Broadway. Despite facing economic challenges and shifting audience preferences, the theater industry remains resilient and continues to captivate audiences with its diverse offerings. As we look towards the future, it is clear that Broadway will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of its patrons.