The Piano Lesson led the pack of Broadway’s recent arrivals at the box office last week, with the August Wilson revival starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks grossing $795,306 for its first seven performances at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
Gross receipts were a close second. LeopoldstadtThe Tom Stoppard previewing play at the Longacre, costing $753,157 for seven performances.
The newcomers added to Broadway’s overall tally of $26,367,421 for the week ending Sept. 25, a jump of about 6% from the previous week. The attendance was also up at 214,085, which indicates a strong 93% fill rate.
Additional productions available for previews and seven performances 1776, the non-profit Roundabout’s all-female/transgender/nonbinary revival of the classic musical, grossing $342,777 for seven performances; and Cost of Living the non-prof Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of the Martyna Majok’s play, taking in $137,796.Death of a salesmanWith six previews at Hudson, the movie grossed $413 428.
The five recent arrivals all played to homes in the area of 80%, give or take. However, average ticket prices varied greatly, starting at $38.14 for Cost of LivingGet as Low As $134.34 Piano Lesson.
It’s also worth noting: Funny GirlLea Michele was back on her full schedule and it was a near-sold-out. She grossed $1,640,000.370 and filled 98% of the seats.
All the seats at Majestic were occupied The Phantom of the Opera an influx no doubt spurred by the producers’ recent decision to close the long-running musical in February 18 after 35 years. Last week, the production brought in a staggering $1,205,364.
Other shows at 100% capacity – or coming close with at least 98% of seats filled – were Take a Chance on a Faraway Place (closing Oct. 2); Hadestown MJ, Moulin Rouge! Six, The Book of Mormon AndFunny Girl
Broadway’s current season has brought in $501,145,098, with a total attendance of 3,917.076 at 87% capacity.
Broadway’s 24 productions reported last week their figures 1776, Aladdin. Beetlejuice. The Book of Mormon. Chicago. Come From Away. Cost of Living. Death of a Salesman. Funny Girl. Hadestown. Hamilton. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. And Wicked.
All figures courtesy Broadway League