Broadway box office figures have remained relatively steady as the theater industry transitions into the post-Memorial Day summer season. Despite experiencing a slight decline in numbers from the holiday traffic peak, the 35 productions managed to generate a total gross revenue of $33,662,845 for the week ending June 2. This figure represents a 5% decrease from the previous week, but it is an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. The total paid attendance for this week was reported at 280,253, showing a 2% drop from the previous week, while still reflecting a 7% rise year over year. On average, approximately 86% of all seats across Broadway theaters were filled during this period.
One of the standout performers of the week was the concert residency show featuring Ben Platt at the historic Palace theater. During the first six performances, Platt managed to gross an impressive $650,306 in revenue, with attendance reaching about 74% of the venue’s capacity. Despite not holding any previews or inviting critics for reviews, the show maintained a modest average ticket price of $89.10, proving the star power of Platt.
Several Broadway productions faced challenges due to the absence of high-profile cast members during the week. Shows like “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Uncle Vanya” experienced box office slips as Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Carell were away for five performances each. “Merrily We Roll Along” managed to maintain a strong sell-out gross of $1,148,603 even with Radcliffe’s absence, while “Uncle Vanya” saw a more noticeable drop in attendance and gross revenue. Similarly, “Mother Play” had to cancel a performance due to illness within the company but still managed to maintain an attendance rate of 91% for the remaining shows.
Top Performing Shows
Among the top earners for the week were perennial favorites like “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Hamilton,” “Wicked,” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” each grossing over $1 million. Shows such as “An Enemy of the People,” “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” and “The Outsiders” also sold out during the week, with high attendance rates across the board. However, some productions struggled to fill seats, with shows like “Patriots” and “The Heart of Rock and Roll” falling below 60% capacity.
As Broadway enters the second week of the new season, the cumulative gross revenue stands at $68,958,251 with a total attendance of 567,499 across all productions. The statistics provided by The Broadway League offer a comprehensive overview of the state of Broadway box office attendance during this period, showcasing both the successes and challenges faced by the industry. For detailed box office listings, interested parties can visit The League’s official website for more information.