As Broadway entered the summer season following Memorial Day, the box office numbers remained relatively stable. In the week ending June 2, a total of 35 productions brought in $33,662,845, representing a slight decrease of about 5% compared to the previous week. However, when looking at year-over-year comparisons, there was actually an increase of 8% from the same time last year. Total paid attendance for the week reached 280,253, showing a 2% decline from the previous week, but a 7% rise compared to the previous year. Despite the slight drop, approximately 86% of all seats were filled.
One of the highlights of the week was the arrival of Ben Platt’s concert residency, “Ben Platt: Live At The Palace,” at the newly renovated venue. In its first week, the show grossed $650,306, with attendance at around 74% of the Palace’s capacity. The average ticket price of $89.10 made it an affordable option for theater enthusiasts looking to catch Platt’s performance.
Several productions faced challenges due to high-profile cast members being away. For example, “Merrily We Roll Along” saw a decrease of $464,004 in its box office receipts as Daniel Radcliffe missed five performances. Despite this, the show managed to maintain a strong sell-out gross of $1,148,603. Similarly, “Uncle Vanya” experienced a noticeable hit as Steve Carell was out sick for five shows, leading to a drop in attendance from 95% to 74% of capacity, with grosses falling to $734,380. Additionally, “Mother Play” had to cancel a matinee performance, resulting in a box office total of $528,216 and attendance at 91% for the week.
Among the top earners for the week were perennial favorites like “The Lion King,” which brought in $2,084,039. Other productions that grossed over $1 million included “Aladdin,” “Hamilton,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” and “Wicked.” Shows that sold out for the week included “An Enemy of the People,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” and “The Outsiders,” with others like “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” and “Wicked” performing exceptionally well at 99% of capacity.
While some productions thrived, others struggled to fill seats, with shows like “Patriots” and “The Heart of Rock and Roll” only reaching 58% of capacity. As Broadway moves into the second week of the new season, there is a mix of challenges and opportunities for producers, cast, and crew to navigate. The industry will need to continue adapting to changing audience preferences and market trends to ensure the continued success of Broadway as a cultural institution.
Overall, the post-Memorial Day period presented a snapshot of the resilience and dynamism of Broadway, showcasing both the highs and lows that come with the territory of live theater. As the summer season progresses, it will be interesting to see how productions evolve and respond to the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.