Robert Downey Jr.’s Broadway debut has proven to be a hit, with all four previews selling out at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater. The play, directed by Bartlett Sher and written by Ayad Akhtar, features Downey Jr. as a Pulitzer runner-up author who becomes entangled in an unhealthy relationship with Artificial Intelligence.
The production grossed an impressive $746,230 in its first week, with an average ticket price of $170.37. This success puts the play on the same level as other sell-out shows on Broadway, such as “The Roommate,” “Oh, Mary!,” and “The Outsiders.”
The Broadway production filled more than 95% of available seats, joining other popular shows like “Cabaret,” “Hadestown,” “Hamilton,” and “Wicked.” However, some productions, like “Job” and “Water For Elephants,” had lower attendance rates at 75% and 68%, respectively.
In total, Broadway’s 26 productions grossed $25,461,584 for the week ending September 8. This represented a slight decrease from the previous week, with a 10% drop in revenue. However, total attendance was down by only 1%, indicating a relatively strong turnout.
As of the 16th week of the 2024-25 season, Broadway has grossed $507,011,808, up by around 7% compared to the previous year. Total attendance has also increased by about 4%, with over 4 million people attending Broadway shows so far this season.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Broadway debut has certainly made a mark on the theater scene, with strong box office numbers and positive audience reception. With high attendance rates and impressive revenue, the play is poised to be a standout production in the current Broadway season.