“Sweeney Todd” faltered last week without star Josh Groban — who was out for a pre-planned absence — and with one fewer performance, resulting in the production’s lowest-grossing week to date. The revival earned $855,701, down 46% from the previous week. Interestingly, capacity was up by 2% to 98%. The Sept. 15 performance was canceled due to technical difficulties.
Overall, for the week ending Sept. 17, the 25 currently running productions grossed $21,640,927, up 1% from the previous week. Capacity was up by 2% to 91%. This marks the 17th week of the 2023-2024 Broadway season.
“The Lion King” was the top-grossing production, earning $1,834,382. “Hamilton” and “Wicked” rounded out the top three, grossing $1,708,507 and $1,526,289, respectively.
Only five other productions broke the $1 million mark, including “Aladdin,” “Back to the Future,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” “MJ” and “Moulin Rouge!”
On the attendance front, 16 productions played to 90% capacity or greater, including “& Juliet,” “Aladdin,” “Back to the Future,” “Chicago,” “Gutenberg! The Musical!” “Hadestown,” “Hamilton,” “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” “MJ,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “Shucked,” “Six,” “Sweeney Todd,” “The Book of Mormon,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked.”
Only one production — “Purlie Victorious” — failed to play to at least 70% capacity or greater. The play did, however, post a 46% increase at the box office, grossing $331,700. Capacity was up by 8% to 68%.
“Melissa Etheridge: My Window,” which began previews on Sept. 14, posted the lowest gross of the week. The special production earned $184,162 through four previews.
New York City’s Broadway Week, a discount program offering 2-for-1 tickets, began on Sept. 4 and ran through Sept. 17.
“Melissa Etheridge: My Window,” “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” and “Gutenberg! The Musical!” all began previews last week. “Purlie Victorious” remained in previews.
