Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 10/1/23

[Rob]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:35pm

Click below to access all the Broadway grosses from all the shows for the week ending 10/1/2023 in BroadwayWorld's grosses section.

Also, you will find information on each show's historical grosses, cumulative grosses and other statistics on how each show stacked up this week and in the past.

Click Here to Visit the Broadway Grosses...

Up for the week by attendance (% of capacity) was: KIMBERLY AKIMBO (4.7%), WICKED (4.7%), SOME LIKE IT HOT (3.5%), THE LION KING (3%), PURLIE VICTORIOUS: A NON-CONFEDERATE ROMP THROUGH THE COTTON PATCH (2.5%), SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (1.8%), CHICAGO (1.6%), SIX (1.6%), & JULIET (1.1%), HAMILTON (0.5%), MJ THE MUSICAL (0.2%),

Down for the week by attendance (% of capacity) was: MELISSA ETHERIDGE: MY WINDOW (-9.1%), HERE LIES LOVE (-8.6%), SHUCKED (-7%), THE COTTAGE (-4.9%), BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL (-4.8%), THE SHARK IS BROKEN (-4.6%), GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! (-4.3%), JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING (-3.4%), HADESTOWN (-2%), MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL (-1.8%), HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (-1.6%), ALADDIN (-1.4%), THE BOOK OF MORMON (-0.7%), A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL (-0.5%),

Click Here to Visit the BroadwayWorld Grosses...

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:39pm

Those Merrily numbers are making me happier than ever!

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:40pm

I hate to say this but what do we think will close first, Hadestown or Kimberly?

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:42pm

hearthemsing22 said: "I hate to say this but what do we think will close first, Hadestown or Kimberly?"

Probably Hadestown. It had a good run. Let it continue to tour and push more for its West End transfer. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:43pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "I hate to say this but what do we think will close first, Hadestown or Kimberly?"

Probably Hadestown. It had a good run. Let it continue to tour and push more for its West End transfer."

Also Six has low enough running costs that it wouldn't be worrying yet, right?

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:54pm

hearthemsing22 said: "I hate to say this but what do we think will close first, Hadestown or Kimberly?"

Here Lies Love, they're hemorrhaging money and the TV performance from last week did not work.

KA will last until the end of the year imo

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:56pm

Here Lies Love continuing to pour money down the drain is so baffling.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 1:09pm

End of year closings are becoming much clearer. Kimberly, Shucked, Hadestown, Here Lies Love are all but sure things to be left behind in 2023. A Beautiful Noise remains an oddball, but I think we can all agree that Ken Davenport isn't closing that show while it grosses what it's started taking in this Fall.

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 1:26pm

I don’t know what the deal with HADESTOWN will be, unless they have a stunt cast for Orpheus up their sleeve. (Who, Boykin, and White are all in until at least January).

HLL makes me sad because it’s so good, but even when I went Sunday night, large swaths of the rear mezzanine were empty.

I am very much hoping that the across-the-board stellar reviews for Purlie Victorious might give it the boost it needs, but that might take a week or two to see in earnest if it actually helped

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 1:37pm

Thoughts:

• I cannot believe the average ticket price for A Beautiful Noise.  Given that it is only 2/3 filled, that it just so unusual to me.  I guess I was very wrong that adding a fourth matinee not helping that much OR the audience consists of a lot of older people who vacate the city and near-by suburbs during the summer.  I NEVER expected this to run as long as it has.  Tells me that it will be very successful on tour, beyond just the subscription based.  I could see them scheduling a second week in cities which only have second weeks on a limited basis.
• I am really disappointed the PV has such a low average ticket price.  So heavily discounted and still less than 3/4 filled with those reviews. I am hoping that next year will see a big bump, since the grosses did go up $100K this week, even with that average price.
• I don't understand why HLL and Shark don't give up...they are just going to lose more money, which is idiotic.  I also suspect that Mellissa Etheridge is going to be the same thing...good money after bad.
• Hadestown is doing $145K less than Chicago, without any stunt casting.  It is time...they should put up the notice and hope for a little bum in business.
• It will be interesting to see if Merrily can sustain those grosses, i.e., will this go the way of other past Sondheim shows and peter out quickly after awhile or will it stay very strong for at least the current limited engagement.  I imagine the reviews will help, as will the presence of Groff and, especially, Radcliffe.  Fingers crossed.
• The producers of BTTF must be dying.  It is only grossing $1MM a week and must have a very high breakeven.  Given that the average ticket price is already only $103, I am guessing that they are going to end up losing most of their investment.  While I don't care about that particular show, that trend over the last two seasons continues to be very unsettling.  
• I am assuming that one of the reasons there is such a dearth of new non-musicals is because of how badly the fall's well reviewed shows did last season, other than Leopoldstadt.  The grosses for the only non-musicals that are actually running, i.e., JaJa's, Shark, The Cottage,and PV (at least so far) are just awful, continuing the problem (I still have hope for PV).

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 1:56pm

Is Sweeney Todd really going to try staying open past January 14? If it really is closing, I think they’ll have to announce it within this next week or two, which will still give people plenty of time to catch Groban. 

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 1:57pm

Jarethan said: "Thoughts:

• I cannot believe the average ticket price for A Beautiful Noise. Given that it is only 2/3 filled, that it just so unusual to me. I guess I was very wrong that adding a fourth matinee not helping that much OR the audience consists of a lot of older people who vacate the city and near-by suburbs during the summer. I NEVER expected this to run as long as it has. Tells me that it will be very successful on tour, beyond just the subscription based. I could see them scheduling a second week in cities which only have second weeks on a limited basis.
• I am really disappointed the PV has such a low average ticket price. So heavily discounted and still less than 3/4 filled with those reviews. I am hoping that next year will seea big bump, since the grosses did go up $100K this week, even with that average price.
• I don't understand why HLL and Shark don't give up...they are just going to lose more money, which is idiotic. I also suspect that Mellissa Etheridge is going to be the same thing...good money after bad.
• Hadestown is doing $145K less than Chicago, without any stunt casting. It is time...they should put up the notice and hope for a little bum in business.
• It will be interesting to see if Merrily can sustain those grosses, i.e., will this go the wayof other past Sondheim shows and peter out quickly after awhile or will it stay very strong for at least the current limited engagement. I imagine the reviews will help, as will the presence of Groff and, especially, Radcliffe. Fingers crossed.
• The producers of BTTF must be dying. It is only grossing $1MM a week and must have a very high breakeven. Given that the average ticket price is already only $103, I am guessing that they are going to end up losing most of their investment. While I don't care about that particular show, that trend over the last two seasons continues to be very unsettling.
• I am assuming that one of the reasons there is such a dearth of new non-musicals is because of how badly the fall's well reviewed shows did last season, other than Leopoldstadt. The grosses for the only non-musicals that are actually running, i.e., JaJa's, Shark, The Cottage,andPV (at least so far) are just awful, continuing the problem (I still have hope for PV).

"

ABN is also a mystery to me, I just can't see myself paying $146 for that but good for them! BTTF is definitely an interesting situation, they've been clearly losing money for the past few weeks and attendance seemed to be decreasing abruptly. I wonder if the holidays will boost sales, but I don't think those numbers are what they were expecting.

HLL is the next show to close, it's silly to keep losing money this way, same applies to 'Shark is broken'. Regarding Merrily..., I believe it'll keep those numbers or even better ones. I know people that are only seeing it because of Radcliffe, they don't know the rest of the cast or what the musical is about. Lastly, not to sound too pessimist but PV is doomed despite great reviews imo.

Updated On: 10/3/23 at 01:57 PM

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 2:36pm

I don't see it until later this month, but I wonder from a marketing perspective whether or not Jaja's African Hair Braiding resonates as the name of the show. Is it essential that it was titled after the establishment?

Updated On: 10/3/23 at 02:36 PM

[scripps]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 2:42pm

BTTF needs to drop the Wednesday matinee and move to a more family friendly 4 show weekend schedule during off-peak tourist season. It has been theorized that their breakeven is 1 million so they are beginning to tread water leading up to the holiday season which I'm sure will be gangbusters. I am surprised however that the weather on Friday is not reflected more in last week's grosses, I know I didn't go outside!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 3:06pm

ABN target audience doesn't tend to look for discounted tickets. They want to pay for premium seats. The show also has a weekly bus trip from NJ to the theater (either for the Wed or Thurs matinee) that includes a meet-and-greet with some cast members. The bus trips have been selling out each week.

 

I think Akimbo and Shucked hold out through the beginning of 2024. Hadestown might be closing up unless they have a name to replace Reeve in November.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 3:15pm

scripps said: "BTTF needs to drop the Wednesday matinee and move to a more family friendly 4 show weekend schedule during off-peak tourist season. It has been theorized that their breakeven is 1 million so they are beginning to tread water leading up to the holiday season which I'm sure will be gangbusters. I am surprised however that the weather on Friday is not reflected more in last week's grosses, I know I didn't go outside!"

I guess that anything sold in advanced stayed mostly sold.  Even if they are given the option to see the show another time, subject to availability, I assume the sold tickets would be reflected in last week’s gross.

To Pablitonizer, someone posted a couple of weeks ago that there are a lot of potential bad weeks in the next 13 weeks; if they start losing money, it will be interesting to see if the three weeks of great grosses will offset those losses.  If business does slide below $1MM regularly, I wonder if they will call it a day or struggle to the next holiday.  Have to admit that I have not seen this, and I have no interest in seeing it, so I will only be sad because another high profile musical is flopping.

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 3:23pm

It would be totally ironic if Merrily turns a profit while every other musical from this season ends up flopping.

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 3:27pm

Jarethan said: "scripps said: "BTTF needs to drop the Wednesday matinee and move to a more family friendly 4 show weekend schedule during off-peak tourist season. It has been theorized that their breakeven is 1 million so they are beginning to tread water leading up to the holiday season which I'm sure will be gangbusters. I am surprised however that the weather on Friday is not reflected more in last week's grosses, I know I didn't go outside!"

I guess that anything sold in advanced stayed mostly sold. Even if they are given the option to see the show another time, subject to availability, I assume the sold tickets would be reflected in last week’s gross.

To Pablitonizer, someone posted a couple of weeks ago that there are a lot of potential bad weeks in the next 13 weeks; if they start losing money, it will be interesting to see if the three weeks of great grosses will offset those losses. If business does slide below $1MM regularly, I wonder if they will call it a day or struggle to the next holiday. Have to admit that I have not seen this, and I have no interest in seeing it, so I will only be sad because another high profile musical is flopping.

"

I guess It's an okay musical, just to see it one time. Amazing effects, but the rest is pretty forgettable. It was one of the first musical I checked my watch to see how long till the show was over. Weird reaction from me because I'm a huge BTTF fan, but I seriously wanted it to be over lol. I must confess I was expecting it to gross above $ 1,500,000 weekly since it's such an iconic IP and worldwide popular. Can't believe it's doing a lot lower than MJ

[B212323]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 3:54pm

hearthemsing22 said: "I hate to say this but what do we think will close first, Hadestown or Kimberly?"

Unfortunately I think Here Lies Love will be first. I heard the others are holding out for holiday rush - same with shucked. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 4:07pm

B212323 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "I hate to say this but what do we think will close first, Hadestown or Kimberly?"

Unfortunately I think Here Lies Love will be first. I heard the others are holding out for holiday rush - same with shucked."

I wonder whether any of the will justify the losses just to get holiday week bumps, some of which are less than stellar.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 4:10pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "It would be totally ironic ifMerrilyturns a profit while every other musical from this season ends up flopping."

New musicals, yes. Both Sondheim revivals from last season will have recouped by the time of closing (Sweeney is on it's way to recouping this fall) and Parade had to have recouped as well given their successful run. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 4:17pm

OhHiii said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "It would be totally ironic ifMerrilyturns a profit while every other musical from this season ends up flopping."

New musicals, yes. Both Sondheim revivals from last season will have recouped by the time of closing (Sweeney is on it's way to recouping this fall) and Parade had to have recouped as well given their successful run."

I'm talking about the 2023-24 season, not 2022-23.

[Ensemble1671017357]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 4:36pm

Jarethan said: "scripps said: "BTTF needs to drop the Wednesday matinee and move to a more family friendly 4 show weekend schedule during off-peak tourist season. It has been theorized that their breakeven is 1 million so they are beginning to tread water leading up to the holiday season which I'm sure will be gangbusters. I am surprised however that the weather on Friday is not reflected more in last week's grosses, I know I didn't go outside!"

I guess that anything sold in advanced stayed mostly sold. Even if they are given the option to see the show another time, subject to availability, I assume the sold tickets would be reflected in last week’s gross.

To Pablitonizer, someone posted a couple of weeks ago that there are a lot of potential bad weeks in the next 13 weeks; if they start losing money, it will be interesting to see if the three weeks of great grosses will offset those losses. If business does slide below $1MM regularly, I wonder if they will call it a day or struggle to the next holiday. Have to admit that I have not seen this, and I have no interest in seeing it, so I will only be sad because another high profile musical is flopping.



"It's interesting that no one is commenting on the graph that shows gross ticket sales have been well below 2019 and now have fallen below 2022 - despite inflation. 

How much does Broadway count on tourists for its revenue?

How does tourism compare to 2019 and 2022? Why would the holiday season be better?

 

Updated On: 10/3/23 at 04:36 PM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 5:19pm

Has anyone addressed my question about Six? It dropped down to $700,000. Should there be cause for concern?

[binau]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 5:44pm

In pre covid times I would suggest a show as small as six should not be concerned at all with $700,000 or much lower but it’s clear the operating costs on Broadway have massively increased over the past few years so I have absolutely no idea now.