The legendary Neil Diamond has edged the hit musical Wicked out of the number one position in TicketNews’s exclusive top events rankings for the week of April 28 – May 4, 2008. Diamond rose up from his second place finish last week to oust “Wicked” from its month-long run in the top slot. Diamond’s 9.16 power score, which was nearly triple his score from last week, was more than double “Wicked”‘s 4.67 score this week.

Other Top Events this week included the ever competitive New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in third and fourth place with power scores of 3.10 and 2.54, and the second most popular musical, Jersey Boys, in fifth place with a score of 2.15.

This week was also an exciting week in sports, with many hot events represented on the Top Sports Events chart. The Yankees, who clinched the top position with a power score of 9.86, currently stand with a record of 17-16 after series against the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners this past week. The Red Sox, who trailed the Yankees in the top events rankings with a power score of 8.00, have nonetheless risen to a 20-13 record after winning a total of 5 games against the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays this week. The Chicago Cubs came in third place on the chart with a power score of 3.61, and the Kentucky Derby came in fourth with a power score of 2.57. Favorite horse Big Brown won the race, but the victory was overshadowed by the euthanasia of Eight Belles after breaking two ankles.

In theater news, “Wicked” still remains the play to beat. The hit show dominated both the Top Theater and Top Broadway charts with power scores of 37.09 and 35.36, respectively. “Jersey Boys” earned a solid second place on both charts, with scores of 17.46 and 15.74, and South Pacific held strong in third with power scores of 6.80 and 11.33. Lion King, Little Mermaid, and Young Frankenstein also performed well this week, as the three musicals finished in fourth through sixth place on both charts.

Diamond continues to top the Top Concert Events chart with a power score of 17.09. Country superstar Kenny Chesney climbed a position to second place this week with a score of 3.08, and Jimmy Buffett rounded out the top three with a 2.58 power score. Other popular concerts this week included The Eagles in fourth place with a score of 2.48, the Jonas Brothers in fifth with 2.45, and Kanye West in sixth with a 2.36 power score.

The Top Las Vegas Events chart also featured a familiar line up, with Cher‘s 42.37 power score dominating the chart. Bette Midler ranked second with a score of 21.39, and Cirque du Soleil – “O” placed third with a 14.88 power score. Some newcomers to the chart this week included Jubilee! in sixth, Chippendales in eighth, and Carrot Top in tenth with scores of 1.28, 1.01, and 0.97, respectively. Join us again next week to see how your favorite events will fare.

TicketNews Exclusive Rankings and Power Scores are based on ticket sales from the TicketNetwork Exchange™, the world’s largest secondary market exchange. A Power Score illustrates a given event’s category-specific significance. Two factors are used to calculate a power score: total ticket sales from the given event and total ticket sales within the category. As such, power scores should only be used to compare events within a particular category.

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Top Combined Events

Week Ending 05/04/2008

      Event Score
1 Neil Diamond Tickets 9.16
2 Wicked Tickets 4.67
3 New York Yankees Tickets 3.10
4 Boston Red Sox Tickets 2.54
5 Jersey Boys Tickets 2.15
6 Kenny Chesney Tickets 1.65
7 Jimmy Buffett Tickets 1.38
8 Kanye West Tickets 1.35
9 The Eagles Tickets 1.33
10 Jonas Brothers Tickets 1.31

Top Concert Events

Week Ending 05/04/2008

      Event Score
1 Neil Diamond Tickets 17.09
2 Kenny Chesney Tickets 3.08
3 Jimmy Buffett Tickets 2.58
4 The Eagles Tickets 2.48
5 Jonas Brothers Tickets 2.45
6 Kanye West Tickets 2.36
7 Cher Tickets 1.73
8 James Taylor Tickets 1.69
9 The Police Tickets 1.67
10 Radiohead Tickets 1.58

Top Sports Events

Week Ending 05/04/2008

      Event Score
1 New York Yankees Tickets 9.86
2 Boston Red Sox Tickets 8.00
3 Chicago Cubs Tickets 3.61
4 Kentucky Derby Tickets 2.57
5 Boston Celtics Tickets 2.48
6 Atlanta Hawks Tickets 2.05
7 Dallas Cowboys Tickets 1.63
8 Pittsburgh Steelers Tickets 1.53
9 Detroit Tigers Tickets 1.50
10 WWE Tickets 1.49
     

Top Theater Events

Week Ending 05/04/2008

      Event Score
1 Wicked Tickets 37.09
2 Jersey Boys Tickets 17.46
3 South Pacific Tickets 6.80
4 Lion King Tickets 5.52
5 Little Mermaid Tickets 2.51
6 Young Frankenstein Tickets 2.42
7 Phantom of the Opera Tickets 2.02
8 Mamma Mia! Tickets 1.56
9 Elton John Tickets 1.51
10 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tickets 1.48

Top Broadway Events

Week Ending 05/04/2008

      Event Score
1 Wicked Tickets 35.36
2 Jersey Boys Tickets 15.74
3 South Pacific Tickets 11.33
4 Lion King Tickets 5.65
5 Little Mermaid Tickets 4.18
6 Young Frankenstein Tickets 4.04
7 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tickets 2.47
8 Phantom of the Opera Tickets 2.12
9 La Fille du Regiment Tickets 1.86
10 Mary Poppins Tickets 1.84

Top Vegas Events

Week Ending 05/04/2008

      Event Score
1 Cher Tickets 42.37
2 Bette Midler: The ShowGirl Must Go On Tickets 21.39
3 Cirque du Soleil: “O” Tickets 14.88
4 Elton John: The Red Piano Tickets 8.08
5 Cirque du Soleil: The Beatles: LOVE Tickets 2.00
6 Jubilee! Tickets 1.28
7 Blue Man Group Tickets 1.18
8 Chippendales Tickets 1.01
9 Cirque du Soleil: KA Tickets 0.97
10 Carrot Top Tickets 0.97