Last week, the Broadway box office and ticket prices saw a significant decrease after the previous week’s inflated numbers during the Thanksgiving holiday. The total gross for the 26 productions plummeted by 14% to a combined $29,568,897. This decline can primarily be attributed to the decrease in the amount spent on tickets. The average ticket price for the week ending on December 3 was $134.70, marking a decrease of $16.19, or 11%, compared to the average during the holiday week.
Despite the decrease in box office revenue, the overall attendance only dropped by 4% to 219,511. This indicates that people were still interested in attending shows, but were likely deterred by the higher ticket prices. While the majority of productions experienced declines in box office receipts following Thanksgiving, several shows managed to maintain healthy attendance rates of 90% capacity or higher.
One notable addition to the Broadway lineup was the new show, “Appropriate,” starring Sarah Paulson. The play, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and featuring Elle Fanning and Corey Stoll in supporting roles, played to almost full houses at the non-profit Second Stage’s Hayes Theatre. During seven preview performances, “Appropriate” generated an impressive $483,124 in ticket sales, with attendance reaching 98% of the venue’s capacity. The play is set to officially open on December 18.
As of now, the total gross for the current Broadway season stands at $799,226,359, with an overall attendance of 6,485,630. While these figures may seem impressive, the recent decline in box office revenue raises concerns about the industry’s sustainability. Broadway producers and theater owners will need to carefully consider ticket pricing strategies to ensure continued success.
The recent Broadway box office numbers reveal a stark decline in total gross and ticket prices. This decline can largely be attributed to the decrease in the amount spent on tickets. However, despite the slump in revenue, attendance figures remained relatively steady, indicating continued interest in Broadway shows. The strong debut of “Appropriate” showcased the potential for success, but theater industry stakeholders will need to address the price point to maintain long-term viability. The current season has seen impressive numbers overall, but careful planning and consideration will be crucial to sustaining the success of Broadway going forward.