Broadway attendance plummets as box office tops $30 million

Several long-running Broadway shows recorded their weakest capacities in recent months, with overall attendance falling last week. “Six” played at 83% capacity – an audience count that hasn’t been all that low since the musical played at 82% capacity in the week ending January 9, 2022.

Also of note, “The Lion King” played at its lowest capacity since the week ending January 30, 2022. “The Book of Mormon” performed at less than 90% full houses for the first time since the week ending June 19, 2022. “Wicked” played at 86%, its lowest since the week ending October 30, 2022. And “Aladdin” played at 92% capacity, its lowest since the week ending November 20, 2022.

Only 10 of the 34 shows currently airing on Broadway have seen an increase in attendance.

For the week ending May 7, the 34 productions in progress grossed $30,153,133, down 6% from the previous week. Capacity was 84%, down 5%.

The three highest-grossing productions were “The Lion King”, “Sweeney Todd” and “Hamilton.

Only six productions performed at 95% or higher, down six from last week. On the other hand, twelve productions played at less than 80% of their capacity. Of those 12, five played at less than 70% capacity.

On the heels of its 13 Tony nominations, “Some Like It Hot” grossed $876,193, a 15% increase from the previous week. The musical played at 72% capacity, an increase of 7%.

Meanwhile, several shows that didn’t receive Tony nominations struggled.

“Bob Fosse’s Dancin'” has announced it will be closing May 14 in the first post-Nomination-to-reveal Tony victim. The musical grossed $483,434 in its penultimate week on Broadway, a 25% increase from the previous week. Attendance jumped from 39% to 68%.

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” after a strong week, saw major declines after not being recognized by the Tonys either. The comedy grossed $683,445, down 31%, and played at 78% capacity, down 15%.

“Bad Cinderella” grossed $326,303, down 37% from the previous week. Capacity dropped from 18% to 54%.

Several long-running productions also flopped.

“Funny Girl” grossed $1,448,544, down 8% from the previous week. The musical played at just 77% capacity, marking the first time the rerun has been done at less than 80% since the week ending September 4, 2022.

“Chicago” earned $571,816, down 18%, in its highest-grossing week since Nov. 20, 2022. The musical played at 71% capacity — also its lowest since Nov. 20, 2022 – a decrease of 18%.

“Grey House” remains in preview.

For a full rundown of this week’s Broadway revenue, visit Broadway Business.