Broadway experienced a slight decline in box office numbers during the second week of August, with a 9% drop from the previous week. The total gross for the 25 shows was $28,132,262 for the week ending August 18. This decline can be attributed to the absence of Illinoise from the chart, which grossed a significant amount in its final week. However, despite this decrease, the attendance figure for the week was actually 9% higher than the same week last season.
It is notable that almost all of the productions on the roster reported decreases in box office revenue. However, there were a few exceptions that defied the trend. Shows like Moulin Rouge!, Oh, Mary!, Cabaret, the Suffs, and The Wiz actually saw increases in their box office numbers. The Wiz, in particular, experienced the most significant jump in receipts, closing its limited run on a high note.
Several shows achieved sell-out performances during the week, including Hadestown, Oh, Mary!, Once Upon a Time Mattress, Stereophonic, The Outsiders, and The Wiz. These shows managed to fill a significant portion of the available seats, with total attendance reaching 225,384 for the 25-show line-up. Despite a slight dip from the previous week, total attendance was still up 6% year-over-year, indicating a positive trend in audience engagement.
Looking at the season as a whole, Broadway has shown steady growth in box office revenue and attendance. In the 13th week of the 2024-25 season, total grosses reached $428,075,221, marking a 7% increase over the previous year. Total attendance also saw a 4% uptick, demonstrating the continued popularity of Broadway shows among audiences.
While Broadway may have experienced a slight decline in box office numbers for the week, the overall trends point to a positive trajectory for the industry. With certain shows defying the downward trend and achieving sell-out performances, there is still plenty of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding Broadway productions. As the fall season approaches, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and whether Broadway can continue its growth in the coming weeks.