Broadway ticket sales experience a significant boost over last week

While last week’s Broadway ticket sales were not too bad at more than $19 million, box office sales for this week, ended December 28, hit $25,307,611 as the post-Christmas spirit thrived. But, compared to the same period for the year before, ticket sales were down more than $3 million (the same period in 2007 generated a stunning $28,320,773). In the face of the current economic downturn, however, this week’s tally is an accomplishment.

For the total season, the gross receipts are $563,919,487, a hefty increase over the same year-to-date figures from last season of $520,323,042. These figures do not include “Young Frankenstein” playing at the Hilton Theatre, which is scheduled to close next week. Another benchmark: of the 31 productions currently on Broadway, eleven grossed more than $1 million in the past week. Topping the list was perennial favorite Wicked at the Gershwin at $1,803,262. Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam saw the largest increase in dollars over the previous reporting period by about $430,000.

Looking at the current crop of plays, “All My Sons” at the Schoenfeld leads the pack with more than $600,000 this week in ticket sales and 95 percent attendance.

The two specials continue to perform respectably: Liza’s At The Palace with $672,776 and 79 percent attendance, and “Slava’s Snowshow” at the Helen Hayes with $400,628 and 87 percent attendance.

Overall, more than 12 shows posted in excess of 95 percent attendance. At the Jacobs Theatre, “13” increased its audience by almost 36 percent compared to last week while Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Marquis reflected the post-holiday blues with a 14 percent lower attendance but it still ranked among the million-dollar grossing productions. The only other production posting a smaller audience than the previous week was “Spring Awakening” at the O’Neill, 78 compared to 81 percent.

This past week there were no productions in previews, no openings and no closings. But in a week of superlatives, the announcement was made that the Tony-award winning, longest-running and highest-grossing show on Broadway, The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber, will extend its presence on Broadway until June 27 of 2009. So far in its Broadway run, it has grossed $690 million and has been seen by 12.5 million patrons since its opening on January 26, 1988 at the Majestic.

All data provided by The Broadway League.