Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 2/1/26

Happy trails to MAMMA MIA!, LIBERATION, Kate Baldwin, Aisha Jackson, Ainsley Melham, and Jinkx Monsoon.

Remember that MAYBE HAPPY ENDING had to cancel a performance last week due to a technical issue, and refunds were being offered. 

DEATH BECOMES HER’s numbers are starting to slip — given how expensive it is in both weekly running cost and initial capitalization, concerningly so.

 

I wouldn’t be sounding alarm bells about any of the long-runners at this moment since we are in the middle of Broadway Week and also the numbers do soften in the winter. Even big hits like CHESS took a little dip. With the exception of SIX, all shows still managed at least an 80% capacity.

It is looking like HELL’S KITCHEN will probably be going out on a whimper though. Bringing back Brandon Victor Dixon for the last month isn’t going to do anything for the box office. It almost makes me wish that they decided to promote a Davis understudy for the last month like they did with Angela Birchett to Miss Liza Jane.

I’m gonna keep my eye on Oh, Mary in the coming weeks - JCM’s first week is nearly sold out so I don’t anticipate any major changes. However, I’m wondering how much of a draw they will be. I think the niche casting of JCM will be buttressed by the Marvel fandom of Simu Liu.

 

A bit nerve-wracking for Death Becomes Her. The question is, is this just a temporary winter slump? Or are we seeing some lasting effects from Hilty's departure? These numbers would still be fine for many a show, but this one is just so damn expensive. And the trouble is that the two lead female roles are quite technical and challenging, so you can't just plop any name in there as stunt casting. It would seem to be fairly easy to get a big eye-catching name in for Viola though, whenever Michelle Williams decides to leave. But they might need some other shot in the arm in the meantime.

Absolutely thrilled for Liberation and I wish it had played at these numbers for their entire run. Easily my favorite new script of the season. It's hard for closed shows to win Best Play (easier to accomplish in the revival category) but I really hope they can buck the trend this year and win the Tony. 

I'm wondering if they're looking into a name coming in for Death Becomes Her soon? Especially if Simard or Williams are leaving soon.

I would not be surprised if we are seeing the end start for DBH.  Even in recent holiday weeks, its grosses were constrained by discounted ticket prices.  As a result, it can't rely on discount pricing for a shot in the arm.  Further, based on how complex these roles supposedly are, it does not sound like a good candidate for event casting, unless the producers don't care if the show suffers.  IMO its biggest hope is that The Lost Boys bombs, and it becomes pretty much the newest 'big production' for tourists who are not going to be going crazy to see MHE or 2 Strangers, with their average cast size of 3.  

When shows like Liberation have great closing weeks, I always wish someone would commission a study to understand why they can't get people in seats earlier in the run, when they would actually be in better seats.  I am sure that sounds stupid; but same thing for Oedipus.  In its last week, people are going to be turned away, when they could have gotten seats pretty much any week of the run.  I guess you can't change people's approach to purchasing tix, whether it is pure procrastination or the fact that it is the last week creates an event or some other factor.

Am I wrong or is Chess doing much better than SB did this time last year?  /i am hoping that it extends further into the summer, so I can see it again.  

 

Jarethan said: “Am I wrong or is Chess doing much better than SB did this time last year? /i am hoping that it extends further into the summer, so I can see it again.

"

CHESS was always a huge gamble to bring back to Broadway, but the leads are likely all contracted for a year and they are probably just doing the piecemeal extension approach like Mincemeat and Oh Mary. It also would allow them to control prices for summer tickets when they pick up any awards.