At the end of Broadway’s first full week of 2023, five shows that had been open at the end of 2022 played their final performance. By the end of the month, 12 Broadway productions in total ended their runs. It may sound bleak, and many (from media publications to coalitions) have reported these numbers using terms like “record-breaking.” But the truth of the matter is that January closures are a part of the typical rhythm of Broadway and the number of closures this year is not record-breaking.
Of the 12 Main Stem productions that closed in January 2023, eight were limited engagements (two — “Into the Woods” and “The Piano Lesson” — extended beyond their original end dates).
Looking at the past 10 years, an average of 9.6 Broadway shows concluded in the month of January. Though 2023’s number is above average, it ties with 2017 for the most closings — 12 apiece. (Of note: In the last decade, there have been four separate years in which 11 shows wrapped up their runs in January.) The year-by-year breakdown is as follows:
