Broadway grosses remain low as the population contends with COVID-19 cases related to the Omicron variant and as the industry delves deeper into the traditional winter downturn.
The capacity for all theaters in the week ended Jan. 16 was 66.4%, a slight increase from the previous week, but still the second lowest on record for the season. Box office totals reached $18.5 million, the third lowest this season.
These totals were reported by 25 running productions, two fewer than in the previous week. “Caroline, or Change” and “Trouble in Mind” ended their runs as scheduled on Jan. 9. And “Skeleton Crew” resumed performances in the week ended Jan. 16, after a weeklong cancellation.
The average ticket price for the week was $113.78, the lowest recorded this season.
The figures do not include the virtual tickets sold for “Clyde’s,” which was in performance at the Hayes Theater, in addition to being live streamed to paying audiences at home.
The Broadway League is reporting grosses as collective totals across all running shows. Therefore, the numbers do not speak to the financial health of any individual show.
While New York continues to battle COVID-19 cases — which may be keeping audience members away from the theater — the tide appears to be turning. On Jan. 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a 45% decline in daily positive cases in the state from the previous week. Cases appear to have peaked on Jan. 9.
Still, Broadway will likely see the impact in weeks to come. Four shows closed on Jan. 16, including “Flying Over Sunset,” “Ain’t Too Proud” and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which ended its run at the Shubert Theatre, with a plan to return to Broadway this spring. “Clyde’s” completed its limited run on Jan. 16. as scheduled. These closures will be reflected in next week’s published grosses.
