As Broadway moves from the peak of summer into the transition towards fall, the total grosses for last week demonstrated a noticeable decline. The total grosses of $25,343,599 were down approximately 10% from the previous week, reflecting a trend that has been continuing during these dog days of summer. One contributing factor to this drop is likely the summer edition of Kids’ Night on Broadway, where 19 of the 24 shows offered a free performance to children accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Family favorites like The Lion King and Aladdin experienced significant drops in their box office numbers, with both shows seeing decreases in revenue. The Lion King was down $203,453 to a still impressive $1,904,177, while Aladdin dropped $176,876 to a respectable $1,178,408. The absence of The Wiz, a previously strong performer, also contributed to the overall decline in total grosses.
Total attendance for the week ending August 25 was 211,342, representing a 6% decrease from the previous week and a 1% decline compared to the same period last year. While 91% of all available seats were filled, this was slightly lower than the 92% capacity from the previous week. Notable shows like Oh, Mary!, Stereophonic, and The Outsiders continued to see strong attendance numbers, with each selling out for the week. In contrast, shows like Water For Elephants, The Notebook, and Harry Potter And The Cursed Child struggled to fill seats, with attendance percentages ranging from 75% to 76%.
As Broadway gears up for the fall season, some shows are seeing changes in their casting that may impact future box office numbers. Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, who have been integral to the success of their respective shows, will be departing on September 14. Redmayne, who has been playing the role of the Emcee since the revival opened on the West End in 2021 and transferred to Broadway in April, is expected to draw crowds in his final days of performance. Additionally, shows like Once Upon A Mattress, Wicked, and Hadestown are coming close to selling out, indicating potential growth in receipts in the upcoming weeks.
Season Overview
In the 14th week of the 2024-25 season, Broadway has grossed $453,418,819, representing a 6% increase from the previous year at the same time. Total attendance has also seen a rise of around 4%, with 3,601,394 individuals attending shows. These figures, provided by The Broadway League, offer a comprehensive look at the state of Broadway as it navigates through the highs and lows of the summer season. For more detailed box office listings, interested individuals can visit the League’s website for up-to-date information on show performances and ticket sales.