A statistical analysis of Broadway trends over the last 40 years.

[dpee1234]

Posted: 4/26/23 at 1:39pm

I put together a statistical analysis of Broadway trends for my newsletter. I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.statsignificant.com/p/whats-the-matter-with-broadway-a

 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/26/23 at 9:30pm

Thanks for writing this analysis and creating all those graphs/charts. 

One stat you you didn't discuss was having A-list celebrities starring in musicals. Last year, Music Man topped the weekly grosses because of Hugh Jackman. Funny Girl is still running today because of Lea Michele. Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along was completely sold out off-broadway due to its cast.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/26/23 at 10:37pm

This was pretty cool to read!  I can't say many of the conclusions surprised me but it was interesting to see them broken down in graphs. While certainly pre-branded shows on Broadway are more of a sure bet/easier to market, I wonder if that changes the Off-Broadway pipeline.  It's been kind of an open secret that the best shows in terms of "art" are more frequently done Off-Broadway, and many of those have eventually made it to the main stem once they've received rave reviews/a bit of a following (like Kimberly Akimbo, Hadestown, Band's Vist, and even Hamilton).  So I wonder if fewer shows not based on movies/jukeboxes will be looking to do an Off-Broadway run and then try to make the transfer to Broadway instead, or if the industry would get closer to bifurcating completely where the Broadway shows are increasingly tourist attractions with spectacle and brand names while Off-Broadway is where the more "artsy" shows go.

I think it's worth noting though that plays seem to be in a bit of their own category as far as what gets produced.  Obviously the ones that make money are the ones built on a previous brand (like Harry Potter) or those with a celebrity.  Though I've been pleasantly surprised at the willingness of producers to put on smaller plays like Cost of Living and Ain't No Mo', though I suppose they expect a shorter run for those anyhow.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 9:55am

I enjoyed reading this as well. There is almost an ASMR-quality to your writing that is sort of addictive in a way. Some of the facts were not correct, but it was a good read.