Broadway bid farewell to two productions last week – HarmonyandPurlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch. Despite their critical acclaim, both productions struggled to draw in audiences consistently. However, in their final weeks, both shows experienced a surge in ticket sales as last-chance viewers eagerly filled the seats.
Harmony, a musical by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, tells the story of the real-life 1920s German singing group, the Comedian Harmonists. It boasted an impressive 99% seat occupancy at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, raking in $853,055 in gross revenue for the week ending February 4. This marked an increase of $145,978 from the previous week.
Purlie Victorious, a revival of the beloved Ossie Davis comedy, captivated audience members with its talented cast led by Leslie Odom Jr. and Kara Young. Despite its universal acclaim, the production still only filled 81% of seats at the Music Box. Nevertheless, it experienced a surge in ticket sales, grossing $706,882, a bump of $58,090 from the previous week.
In total, the 25 Broadway productions generated $23,493,675 in box office revenue, representing a modest 5% increase from the previous week. Attendance also saw a slight rise, with a total of 213,281 theatergoers, a 2% increase from the previous week and a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. The overall seat occupancy rate was approximately 93%, indicating a healthy demand for Broadway shows.
Following the departure of stars Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd experienced a decline in ticket sales. However, the arrival of Joe Locke, known for his role in Heartstopper, in the supporting role of Tobias provided a boost for the production. Receipts for Sweeney Todd totaled $857,422, an increase of $81,341 from the previous week. Attendance also inched up to 95% of capacity, indicating a positive response from audiences.
Several other Broadway productions experienced noteworthy performances during the past week. How To Dance In Ohio, which is nearing its February 11 closing date, saw a substantial increase in revenue, earning $124,975 more and reaching $628,710 in total. The show also boasted an impressive attendance rate of 94% capacity at the Belasco Theatre.
Meanwhile, Chicago, a long-running Broadway staple, recorded its best non-holiday week in its 27-year history. The production grossed an impressive $939,177 in revenue, further solidifying its enduring popularity.
Doubt: A Parable, the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of John Patrick Shanley’s play starring Tyne Daly and Liev Schreiber, began previews at the newly renamed Todd Haimes Theatre. With attendance at 84% capacity, the production grossed $157,190 in two previews, hinting at a promising start for this highly anticipated revival.
To-date, Broadway has grossed an astounding $1,069,331,414 in revenue, with a total attendance of 8,495,046. These impressive figures highlight the ongoing success and enduring popularity of Broadway shows. As audiences continue to flock to theaters, the future looks bright for the Great White Way.