Broadway has displayed remarkable resilience in the recent week, as evidenced by a notable 7% increase in box office receipts. This uptick has been buoyed by a wave of new productions making their debut, including high-profile shows such as “McNeal,” “Yellow Face,” and “The Roommate.” The collective enthusiasm surrounding these performances has generated significant interest, resulting in most theaters reporting an increase in ticket sales for the week leading up to September 15.
Among the new arrivals, “McNeal” is perhaps the most anticipated. This production marks the Broadway debut of acclaimed actor Robert Downey Jr., and it has already made a significant impact by selling out all five of its preview performances at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. The show grossed an impressive $954,624 and is set to officially open on September 30. Meanwhile, “Yellow Face,” a political satire by David Henry Hwang that features actor Daniel Dae Kim, also attracted attention by filling 97% of its seats during three previews at the Roundabout Theatre. It grossed $148,415, further underscoring the draw of familiar talent.
While many shows experienced solid returns, “The Roommate” encountered some challenges. This production starred the esteemed Mia Farrow alongside Patti LuPone. Despite an impressive opening week with attendance hitting 97% capacity, the box office faced setbacks due to Farrow’s unexpected absence from two Saturday performances because of Covid. The show’s total gross for the week reached $341,559, which included both previews and regular performances. Marsha Mason, known for her role in “Goodbye Girl,” stepped in to assist during the Sunday matinee, showcasing the collaborative spirit of Broadway.
New productions also continued to make waves. “The Hills of California,” penned by renowned playwright Jez Butterworth and directed by Sam Mendes, reported a solid 76% seat occupancy at the Broadhurst Theater during its previews. With an opening night scheduled for September 29, anticipation for this show adds to Broadway’s invigorated lineup. The week also saw four productions filling their houses completely—”Hell’s Kitchen,” “McNeal,” “Oh, Mary!,” and “Stereophonic”—while an array of other long-running favorites maintained attendance rates above 95%.
Overall, the week was a strong one for Broadway, with total sales across 28 productions reaching $27,262,406, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous week and an astounding 26% growth over the same period the previous year. Attendance figures also surged to 234,635, up 6% from the prior week and 16% year-over-year, indicating a positive trend for the theater industry. Season-to-date metrics further illustrate Broadway’s comeback, with a cumulative gross of $534,274,214, reflecting a 7% improvement from last year and upwards of 4 million attendees within just 17 weeks.
Thus, Broadway not only holds its ground but appears to be thriving, showcasing the power of compelling storytelling and celebrated performances to captivate audiences once again.