Broadway Sets All-Time Weekly Box Office Record
(Photo © Joan Marcus)
A combination of higher ticket prices, additional performances, and an influx of tourists helped lead to a record-setting week on Broadway. Weekly gross sales for the period of December 26-January 1 were $25.2 million, an all-time high and a 14.3 percent jump from the same period in 2004-2005, according to the League of American Theatres and Producers Inc.
It was also the second-highest week ever capacity-wise, at 93.9 percent, trailing only the week ending December 30, 2001. Nine of the 28 shows playing on Broadway reported 100 percent or better capacity (including standing room).
Among the shows grossing in excess of $1 million during the period — and all breaking their theaters’ house records — were Wicked ($1,610,934), The Lion King ($1,455,498), Spamalot ($1,407,585), The Color Purple ($1,394,446), Mamma Mia! ($1,381,821), Beauty and the Beast ($1,229,825), and Phantom of the Opera ($1,266,000, approx.), which will become the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9 when it plays its 7,846th performance.
Other shows breaking house records include Jersey Boys ($976,191), Doubt ($603,566), which loses original stars Cherry Jones, Brian F. O’Byrne, and Heather Goldenhersh on January 8, and Avenue Q (553,735).
