Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 8/11/19

[Rob]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 3:05pm

Click below to access all the Broadway grosses from all the shows for the week ending 8/11/2019 in BroadwayWorld's grosses section.

Also, you will find information on each show's historical grosses, cumulative grosses and other statistics on how each show stacked up this week and in the past.

Click Here to Visit the Broadway Grosses...

Up for the week by attendance was: BE MORE CHILL (10.7%), THE CHER SHOW (4.7%), FROZEN (2.8%), THE PROM (1.9%), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1.5%), SEA WALL/A LIFE (1.4%), BARRY MANILOW (1.2%), BEAUTIFUL (1.2%), WAITRESS (1.2%), WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME (1.1%), PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL (0.6%), MOULIN ROUGE! (0.5%), THE LION KING (0.3%), COME FROM AWAY (0.1%), HADESTOWN (0.1%), THE BOOK OF MORMON (0.1%),

Down for the week by attendance was: KING KONG (-5%), CHICAGO (-4.5%), TOOTSIE (-4.3%), OKLAHOMA! (-3.1%), AIN'T TOO PROUD (-1.8%), WICKED (-1.7%), BEETLEJUICE (-0.6%), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (-0.3%), ALADDIN (-0.2%), MEAN GIRLS (-0.2%), DEAR EVAN HANSEN (-0.1%),

Click Here to Visit the BroadwayWorld Grosses...

Sponsored By: The Book of Mormon - The New York Times calls The Book of Mormon "the best musical of this century." The Washington Post says, "It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals." And Entertainment Weekly says, "Grade A: the funniest musical of all time." Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it "Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal." The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical.

[BritCrit]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 3:14pm

The Prom and Be More Chill ended on a high.

As for Tootsie... to quote a line from one of the songs... “Ya really f***ed it up...”

It’s interesting that two musicals with somewhat uncertain long-term prospects (Frozen and Beetlejuice) could survive the autumn doldrums pretty well, because Beetlejuice will benefit from Halloween themed marketing, whilst the growing hype for Frozen 2 could help the Broadway version gain an Aladdin-style bounce...

[massofmen]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 3:33pm

wow tootsie...done and done. This fall is going to be brutal for them (if they don't announce a labor day closing)

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 3:53pm

I agree that Beetlejuice will be fine come the fall (Halloween) and holiday season. I rewatched the Tony performances of Beetlejuice and Tootsie on Youtube (uploaded by CBS) and noticed Beetlejuice has 900k views whereas Tootsie only had 175k. 

I also saw on Broadwaycom vlog for Tootsie the episode 1 premiered back 3 months ago and to this day only has 11k views. Compare that to Beetlejuice's broadwaycom vlog (Leslie Kritzer) that premiered only 2 weeks ago and already has 54k views. 

 

[a-mad]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 4:09pm

this whole "Tootsie vs Beetlejuice" thing is getting a bit ridiculous.  The way this message board seems to be going lately, you would think that the producers of each show have it out for each other or something. Can they both succeed or fail on their own terms and not as dueling shows being pitted against each other?  Yes they are both musicals based on movies, and yes they both debuted during the same spring season - but outside of that is there something tying these two productions together that I'm missing?  They seem like two very different shows in presentation, material and tone, and while they obviously want to reach the broadest audience possible, they seem to be targeting completely different demographics.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 4:20pm

The Tootise vs. Beetlejuice debate is simple: word-of-mouth. Anyone I know that's seen Beetlejuice has loved it. Not so much for Tootsie. Tootsie might be gone by mid-October. Beetlejuice has a solid year+ in it.

[bdn223]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 4:25pm

BritCrit said: "The Prom and Be More Chill ended on a high.

As for Tootsie... to quote a line from one of the songs... “Ya really f***ed it up...”

It’s interesting that two musicals with somewhat uncertain long-term prospects (Frozen and Beetlejuice) could survive the autumn doldrums pretty well, because Beetlejuice will benefit from Halloween themed marketing, whilst the growing hype for Frozen 2 could help the Broadway version gain an Aladdin-style bounce..."

It should be noted that Disney has yet to release Frozen tickets past November compared to Lion King and Aladdin, which are on sale through March. Based on this this summer’s grosses, it seems Disney has successfully turned Frozen into a tourist hit, but the question remains what happens when the number of tourists drop come Fall. The fact that the show has been running several week of/limited time promotions is a bit of concern, but also points to a problem Frozen has faced from the point it opened on Broadway. The curse of high expectations. The show is just Ok, in most of the theater community’s eyes. Its not bad, but not a must see, that your regular theater goer wouldn’t pay full price for, let alone rave about. As such most people who are regular theater goers know Frozen is a pretty easy ticket to get week of, with great seats available at a discount. The problem is that the public’s eyes nearly everything Disney does is massively successful, causing the general public to infer that Frozen is just a monster hit on par with Lion King, Hamilton, Book of Mormon, and Dear Evan Hansen. You don’t know how many family members and friends who are not regular theater goers bringup getting tickets to Frozen, but then immediately dismiss it, thinking its too difficult to get. Its likely why their most recent advertising push has heavily focused on “Great Seats Available Now”. The shows reviews had enough pull quotes for Disney to focus on other aspects of the production in their national marketing campaign, but it seems like they fact there are tickets available is the biggest struggle Disney’s marketing team has had on the show after its first summer. I know many may think this is blind optimism, but for Disney this curse of high expectations is a common theme in Disney’s history. Infamously there’s the opening day of Walt Disney World being empty, and most recently Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxies Edge expansion that people thought were going to be so massively popular, that they decided to wait for time to pass thinking it would be less crowded, thus causing much lower then expected crowds.  Frozen is not Tarzan, nor The Little Mermaid, which were both savaged by critics, it opened to “Its not bad, but its not an amazing must see”. We will see come next month though if Disney has solved this problem, but based on the current ticket block end date, and the highly pinpointed discounts, that doesn’t seem likely.

Also I know people have created the new arbitrary metric of Frozen needing to hit 1,000 performances to be considered a “hit”, but the show has averaged $1.58M a week for its 17 month run at this point. Even if we estimated the running costs were at the higher end of the spectrum at $900K a week, the show has profited over $51M, at this point its safe to say Frozen has recouped its investment and then some. Especially since the show opens on the road next month, and Disney has never opened a touring production, let alone announced one before the Broadway production has recouped.

[BritCrit]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 4:47pm

bdn223 said: "It should benoted that Disney has yet to release Frozen tickets past November compared to Lion King and Aladdin, which are on sale through March. Based on this this summer’s grosses, it seems Disney has successfully turned Frozen into a tourist hit, but the question remains what happens when the number of tourists drop come Fall. The fact that the show has been running several week of/limited time promotions is a bit of concern, but also points to a problem Frozen has faced from the point it opened on Broadway. The curse of high expectations. The show is just Ok, in most of the theater community’s eyes. Its not bad, but not a must see, that yourregular theater goer wouldn’tpay full price for, let alone rave about. As such most people who are regular theater goers know Frozen is a pretty easy ticket to get week of, with great seats available at a discount. The problem is that the public’s eyesnearly everything Disney does is massively successful, causing the general public to infer thatFrozen is just a monster hit on par with Lion King, Hamilton, Book of Mormon, and Dear Evan Hansen. You don’t know how many family members and friends who are not regular theater goers bringup getting tickets to Frozen, but then immediately dismiss it, thinking its too difficult to get. Its likely why their most recent advertising push has heavily focused on “Great Seats Available Now”. The shows reviews had enough pull quotes for Disney to focus on other aspects of the production in their national marketing campaign, but it seems like they fact there are tickets available is the biggest struggle Disney’s marketing team has had on the show after its first summer. I know many may think this is blind optimism, but for Disney this curse of high expectations is a common theme in Disney’s history. Infamously there’s the opening day of Walt Disney Worldbeing empty, and most recently Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxies Edge expansion that people thought were going to be so massively popular, that they decided to wait for time to pass thinking it would be less crowded, thus causing much lower then expected crowds.Frozen is not Tarzan, nor The Little Mermaid, which were both savaged by critics, it opened to “Its not bad, but its not anamazing must see”. We will see come next month though if Disney has solved this problem, but based on the current ticket block end date, and the highly pinpointed discounts, that doesn’t seem likely.

Also I know people have created the new arbitrary metric of Frozen needing to hit 1,000 performances to be considered a “hit”, but the show has averaged $1.58M a week for its 17 month run at this point. Evenifwe estimated the running costs were at the higher end of the spectrum at $900K a week, the show has profited over $51M, at this point its safe to say Frozen has recouped its investment and then some. Especially since the show opens on the road next month, and Disney has never opened a touring production, let alone announced one before the Broadway production has recouped."

Frozen is going to outlast The Little Mermaid, but I think it would be foolish to dismiss  Frozen 2 entirely. However, the tour could benefit more from Frozen 2, especially as the LA premiere occurs just a few weeks after Frozen 2 comes out. If Disney want to close Frozen on Broadway whilst it remains profitable, it would probably do so in the longer term (Patti and Caissie are contracted until February) . The West End version opens in autumn 2020, and Disney may want to keep Frozen on Broadway until it opens there, which would take it to 1000 performances. 

[Sauja]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 5:19pm

a-mad said: "this whole "Tootsie vs Beetlejuice" thing is getting a bit ridiculous. The way this message board seems to be going lately, you would think that the producers of each show have it out for each other or something. Can they both succeed or fail on their own terms and not as dueling shows being pitted against each other?"

To me, the reason they're interesting to consider in tandem is that they opened back to back with wildly different buzz. Advance word on Tootsie was strong whereas it was negative for Beetlejuice. Critics flipped for Tootsie and were milder in their affection for Beetlejuice. So it's less a question of them competing against each other and more an interesting case study on how two shows followed almost the complete opposite track compared to what early signs indicated.  I didn't have strong feelings about either. I thought both had elements that worked and elements that didn't. So my interest is really about the changing influence (or lack thereof) of critics and awards bodies and the like. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 6:11pm

I 100% believe that Beetlejuice’s Tony performance helped them tremendously. A rare feat.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 6:24pm

I think Tootsie and Beetlejuice are targeted to 2 very different demographics even though they are based on movies from similar time periods. I hope Tootsie can get through the holiday season—they seem to get a lot through TKTS and last minute sales. I’m not concerned about Beetlejuice at this point. The fan base for Beetlejuice reminds me a bit of the SIX fan base in terms of how devoted they are and all the cosplay.

Given everything Disney On Broadway learned from The Little Mermaid and Tarzan, I think Frozen would have already closed if there were serious financial concerns. I agree it’s more of a tourist or first Broadway show experience than Aladdin and The Lion King. It also definitely targets a younger crowd than the other 2 even if that wasn’t the intention. At this point, I can’t see this closing before January. I do think Disney might be lining up Mrs Doubtfire and/or Beauty and the Beast revival as possible replacements but I could also see them running all these shows at once if they are making money.

Happy to see BMC and The Prom go out on a high note.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 6:29pm

GreasedLightning said: "I 100% believe that Beetlejuice’s Tony performance helped them tremendously. A rare feat."

I mean, I doubt I would I have even tried to see the show without it, so it must have at least convinced a good chunk of people.

Updated On: 8/12/19 at 06:29 PM

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 6:39pm

ACL2006 said: "The Tootise vs. Beetlejuice debate is simple: word-of-mouth. Anyone I know that's seen Beetlejuice has loved it. Not so much for Tootsie. Tootsie might be gone by mid-October. Beetlejuice has a solid year+ in it."

And how many people would you count for "Anyone I know....not so much for Tootsie."  Is it a large enough number to really be statistically significant?  I could ask the folks I know that saw "Tootsie" and it is maybe 5.  And they all loved it. So "anyone I know" loved it......and it isn't a large number.  

[BritCrit]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 6:48pm

RWPrincess said: "

Given everything Disney On Broadway learned from The Little Mermaid and Tarzan, I think Frozen would have already closed if there were serious financial concerns. I agree it’s more of a tourist or first Broadway show experience than Aladdin and The Lion King. It also definitely targets a younger crowd than the other 2 even if that wasn’t the intention. At this point, I can’t see this closing before January. I do think Disney might be lining up Mrs Doubtfire and/or Beauty and the Beast revival as possible replacements but I could also see them running all these shows at once if they are making money.

"

Given how many of Frozen’s problems can be traced to its focus on being too serious and adult (Michael Grandage talked endlessly about how he wanted to treat it like Shakespeare, but Frozen has never had the depth and sophistication needed for this to work), it’s ironic that it seems to be most popular with kids. I wonder if the international and tour versions will take account of the younger demographic...

I think that Aladdin’s spike in popularity since the live-action remake has complicated things a bit, especially as Disney own the New Amsterdam but NOT the St. James. Both theatres would be good for Disney theatrical’s three forthcoming projects (BTAB revival, The Princess Bride, Ms. Doubtfire) but Disney can put anything they want in the New Amsterdam, whilst Jordan Roth may prefer to put another musical in the St James theatre... 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 7:00pm

GreasedLightning said: "I 100% believe that Beetlejuice’s Tony performance helped them tremendously. A rare feat."

I definitely agree.  Would go one step further:and Tootsie's was hurt by their number, which was as mediocre on TV as it was live.  But it is word-of-mouth that is killing it.  People don't want to pay for even somewhat discounted tiekets if their friends were all lukewarm in their appraisals.

[Pose2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 7:31pm

Beetlejuice's number at the Tonys was impressive, and honestly the only memorable performance of the night. The other shows choice of their songs was very strange and failed miserably. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 8:02pm

I’m not why some people are talking about Frozen as its numbers aren’t still strong. Tootsie on the other hand...if you only look at their gross amount, it looks like a a lot of money, but it’s in one of the biggest Broadway theatres whose rent can’t be cheap. No idea what it’s running costs are, but with that % of seating capacity and poor advance sales, I’m hoping if they’re going to close before October 4 (performance I have ticket for), they announce sooner rather than later so I have time to pick another show.

I’m actually in the minority as I really liked Tootsie’s Tony Awards performance. I agree Beetlejuice’s performance was impressive, but not enough to make me buy a ticket for my upcoming trip. Even if Tootsie closes before my trip, I’m thinking I’ll replace it with a newly opened play rather than another musical.

Also, I know this has been asked before, but what was last non-limited run show to actually recoup in the Marquis. I’m thinking it’s been at least 20 years? 

Updated On: 8/12/19 at 08:02 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 8:41pm

To me, Timber’s created an event with Beetlejuice. Once I got into the theater and the lights and sound effects were going, I was excited.

Tootsie to me just feels dated - in design, in direction. The book saves it.

[bettyco]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 8:57pm

GreasedLightning said: "I 100% believe that Beetlejuice’s Tony performance helped them tremendously. A rare feat."

Completely true for me - wouldn't have cared to see it at all except that performance made it look like so much fun.

[David10086]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 9:21pm

What was the problems with TARZAN and THE LITTLE MERMAID ? (I avoided them during my Broadway visits). Were they flops for Disney? How long did they last on Broadway? 

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 9:24pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Also, I know this has been asked before, but what was last non-limited run show to actually recoup in the Marquis. I’m thinking it’s been at least 20 years?"

I don't think The Drowsy Chaperone was a limited run, so then it was 13 year ago. Then again, looking at all the shows since 1986, I think that's the only one that has recouped.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 9:25pm

Per Wikipedia:

The original Broadway production of Tarzan opened in 2006, directed and designed by Bob Crowley with choreography by Meryl Tankard. The production ran for 35 previews and 486 performances.

After a pre-Broadway tryout in Denver, Colorado from July to September 2007, the Little Mermaid musical began Broadway previews on November 3, 2007 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, replacing Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The production officially opened on January 10, 2008 and closed on August 30, 2009 after 685 performances and 50 previews.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 10:55pm

DoTheDood said: "Miles2Go2 said: "Also, I know this has been asked before, but what was last non-limited run show to actually recoup in the Marquis. I’m thinking it’s been at least 20 years?"

I don't think The Drowsy Chaperone was a limited run, so then it was 13 year ago. Then again, looking at all the shows since 1986, I think that's the only one that has recouped."

I would have thought Annie Get Your Gun revival would have recouped too? 

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:02pm

Wick3 said: "I would have thought Annie Get Your Gun revival would have recouped too?"

I thought the same, but I could not find anything on it. Another one I would have sworn to have recouped was Thoroughly Modern Millie, but that apparently didn't. Even if Annie Get Your Gun did recoup, that would still make The Drowsy Chaperone more recent and bring the over 30 years of shows in that theater to have only recouped twice. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:10pm

Millie is notorious for not having been a “hit” despite being a Best Musical winner.