The Broadway debut of Hollywood superstar Robert Downey Jr. made quite the splash last week, with sold-out previews at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater. Starring in Ayad Akhtar’s play, directed by Bartlett Sher, Downey portrays a Pulitzer runner-up author who becomes fixated on Artificial Intelligence. The production, which also features a talented cast including Brittany Bellizeare, Rafi Gavron, and Andrea Martin, is set to open on September 30.
The box office numbers for the past week were particularly impressive, with an average ticket price of $170.37, a feat considering Lincoln Center Theater’s subscription-heavy audience. The production falls in line with other successful shows of the week, such as The Roommate, Oh, Mary!, and The Outsiders, all boasting impressive ticket sales. Despite some productions falling short of capacity, popular shows like Cabaret, Hadestown, and Hamilton continue to draw large crowds.
Broadway saw a total gross of $25,461,584 for the week ending September 8, marking a slight decline from the previous week. However, attendance remained relatively steady at 220,582, only experiencing a small decrease. Factors such as the 2-for-1 Broadway Week promotion may have influenced the drop in average ticket prices from $125 to $115. Despite this, Broadway’s season-to-date numbers indicate a positive trend, with a 7% increase in gross earnings compared to the previous year.
As Broadway enters its 16th week of the 2024-25 season, the industry continues to show resilience and growth. With a variety of productions drawing in audiences and generating significant revenue, the future looks promising for the Great White Way. As new shows premiere and established productions continue to captivate theatergoers, the magic of Broadway remains as vibrant as ever.