The recent Broadway revival of the Ibsen classic, An Enemy of the People, directed by Sam Gold and starring Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli, has been met with great success. In its first week of previews, the production grossed over $1 million, filling over 100% of the seating capacity at Circle in the Square. Opening night for the show is set for March 18. This strong start is an indication of the potential for a successful run for this particular revival.
When comparing the numbers for Enemy of the People with other Broadway productions, it is evident that it is off to a particularly impressive start. Despite a slight slip in overall revenue from the previous week for Broadway productions as a whole, the attendance for Enemy of the People was only down by about 4%. In addition, other productions such as The Notebook musical, Water For Elephants, and Doubt also saw positive results in their previews, with promising attendance and revenue numbers.
As Second Stage’s Appropriate wraps up its non-profit run at the Hayes Theatre, with a successful sell-out of shows, it is preparing for a commercial transfer to the Belasco on March 25. This transition from a non-profit to a commercial run indicates the potential for continued success for the production. Similarly, Prayer for the French Republic ended its run at the Friedman on a high note, filling 99% of seats and grossing over $600,000.
Looking at the overall season to date, Broadway has seen impressive numbers, with total gross revenue exceeding $1 billion and a total attendance of over 9 million. These figures are a testament to the enduring popularity and success of Broadway productions. It is clear that audiences continue to flock to theaters to enjoy live performances, despite the many entertainment options available in today’s digital age.
The Broadway revivals currently playing on the Great White Way are a testament to the enduring appeal of live theater. With strong starts, positive attendance numbers, and impressive revenue figures, these productions are poised for success. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these shows continue to perform and whether they will maintain their momentum throughout their runs. The future looks bright for Broadway, as these revivals breathe new life into classic works and attract audiences old and new to the theater.