Broadway’s spring season is heating up, with a slew of new shows set to open in the coming months. While the official openings are still a few weeks away, the box office is already showing signs of life. In the week ending March 17, a total of 25 productions pulled in an impressive $28,059,463 in gross revenue. This represents a 14% increase over the previous week, with a solid attendance rate of 94% of capacity. However, it is important to note that both grosses and attendance are down more than 15% compared to the same time last year when there were 29 shows running.
Several new shows have made a splash on Broadway in recent weeks. “The Notebook,” despite receiving mixed reviews, has managed to attract audiences and fill seats at the Schoenfeld Theatre. With a gross of $767,281 and 98% attendance, the show seems to be holding its own. Similarly, “An Enemy of the People” at Circle in the Square has garnered positive reviews and strong audience support, grossing $972,189 at an impressive 103% capacity.
“Water For Elephants” starring Grant Gustin has also seen success in its previews at the Imperial Theatre, boasting a 94% capacity and a gross of $898,413. With its official opening scheduled for March 21, the show seems poised for continued success. “The Who’s Tommy” is another production generating buzz, with a solid showing in its previews at the Nederlander Theatre. Playing to 90% capacity and grossing $891,875, the show is set to open on March 28.
One of the most recent arrivals on Broadway is “The Outsiders,” a musical adaptation of the classic novel and film. The show’s first preview at the Jacobs Theatre was a sell-out, grossing $149,970. With its opening night slated for April 11, this production is one to watch. On the other end of the spectrum, “Spamalot” is set to close on April 7 after experiencing lackluster attendance. However, there was a slight uptick in ticket sales in its final weeks, with a gross of $862,505 at 83% capacity.
As the Broadway season progresses, all eyes are on the upcoming performances and new shows set to hit the stage. With a total gross of $1,219,561,719 and attendance of 9,712,465 season to date, Broadway continues to be a thriving hub of entertainment. While some shows may face challenges with ticket sales, there are countless others that are poised for success. As the saying goes, the show must go on, and Broadway is ready to deliver another season of excitement and drama for theatergoers.
The ups and downs of Broadway’s spring season showcase the ever-changing landscape of the theater world. With a mix of hits and misses, the stage is set for a dynamic and engaging season ahead. As audiences flock to theaters to catch the latest performances, the magic of Broadway continues to captivate and inspire.