Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 9/29/19

[Rob]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:03pm

Click below to access all the Broadway grosses from all the shows for the week ending 9/29/2019 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: ALADDIN (9.3%), THE GREAT SOCIETY (8.6%), WICKED (5.3%), SEA WALL/A LIFE (2.9%), THE LION KING (2.3%), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (2%), WAITRESS (1.3%), THE BOOK OF MORMON (1.2%), BEAUTIFUL (1.1%), FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME (1%), OKLAHOMA! (0.7%), HAMILTON (0.1%),

Down for the week by attendance was: THE ROSE TATTOO (-13.9%), THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM (-12.6%), THE LIGHTNING THIEF (-11.8%), TOOTSIE (-6.1%), LINDA VISTA (-5.5%), SLAVE PLAY (-5.5%), FROZEN (-5.2%), BEETLEJUICE (-4%), DERREN BROWN: SECRET (-3.5%), BETRAYAL (-2.9%), THE SOUND INSIDE (-2.7%), CHICAGO (-2.1%), MEAN GIRLS (-2%), AIN'T TOO PROUD (-1.8%), COME FROM AWAY (-0.5%), DEAR EVAN HANSEN (-0.4%), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (-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.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:13pm

The Lighting Thief is not at all off to an auspicious start. 

[Sauja]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:16pm

Oof. The only thing people want to see even less than a new play is The Lightning Thief. Some brutal numbers this week.

[little_sally]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:32pm

Poor Lightning Thief. (Also I saw the commercial a bunch of times while watching Hulu last week and every time it started I thought it was a commercial for Spiderman.)

I really wonder how much longer for Mean Girls. 

Does anyone know if Sea Wall/A Life recouped? I know I didn't see a report but maybe I missed it?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:32pm

It's a shame to see The Sound Inside not selling well. I thought it was very good, and every other opinion I've heard or read (including on this message board and All That Chat) has agreed. Just seems like word of mouth isn't spreading enough.

Maybe they will get a bump once reviews come out, but they are already advertising the NYT Critics Pick from the WIlliamstown run. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:41pm

Its also in quite a big space for a 2 handed play.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:44pm

Does LIGHTNING THIEF even finish it's limited run? Had a few friends see the show this weekend(thanks to comps) and said the theater was empty.

How much longer for MEAN GIRLS?

it's interesting to see COME FROM AWAY and EVAN HANSEN so close in grosses now.

[Pose2]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 3:49pm

They'll be closed in a month if this continues. ^

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 4:53pm

ACL2006 said: "Does LIGHTNING THIEF even finish it's limited run? Had a few friends see the show this weekend(thanks to comps) and said the theater was empty.

How much longer for MEAN GIRLS?

it's interesting to see COME FROM AWAY and EVAN HANSEN so close in grosses now. "

I wonder.... Come From Away has been able to have three concurrently running productions in North America with no problem. Dear Evan Hansen was unable to sustain its Toronto production and I’ll be curious to see if the London production sees any success. Come From Away seems like a bigger hit than Dear Evan Hansen at this point. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 4:57pm

I have a friend involved with DEH and said they’re not struggling but they have had to finally think about discounts.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 5:16pm

I’ve been following CFA and DEH quite closely each week. CFA has always had greater attendance but a lower average ticket. The gap has been getting closer and closer, and I predict CFA will be outgrossing DEH soon enough.

[hveasey]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 6:22pm

JBroadway said: "It's a shame to see The Sound Inside not selling well. I thought it was very good, and every other opinion I've heard or read (including on this message board and All That Chat) has agreed. Just seems like word of mouth isn't spreading enough.

Maybe they will get a bump once reviews come out, but they are already advertising the NYT Critics Pick from the WIlliamstown run."

Agreed. I saw it and thought it was excellent. Sad to see a great new play not do well. Unfortunately Mary Louise Parker just isn’t a big enough “name” to sell out a theater that size I guess. I hope it does better as word of mouth/reviews spread but I doubt it will. 

How does Linda Vista have an average ticket price that low? The average ticket price is below TDF level and I don’t think there’s a lottery. Are they just giving a ton of tickets away?

 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 6:26pm

SouthernCakes said: "I have a friend involved with DEH and said they’re not struggling but they have had to finally think about discounts."

It's been on TKTS fairly frequently the past few months usually 40% and often 50% off.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 7:07pm

hveasey said: "JBroadway said: "It's a shame to see The Sound Inside not selling well. I thought it was very good, and every other opinion I've heard or read (including on this message board and All That Chat) has agreed. Just seems like word of mouth isn't spreading enough.

Maybe they will get a bump once reviews come out, but they are already advertising the NYT Critics Pick from the WIlliamstown run."

Agreed. I saw it and thought it was excellent. Sad to see a great new play not dowell.Unfortunately Mary Louise Parker just isn’t a big enough “name” to sell out a theater that size Iguess. I hope it does better as word of mouth/reviews spread but I doubt it will.

How does Linda Vista have an average ticket price that low? The average ticket price is below TDF level and I don’t think there’s a lottery. Are they just giving a ton of tickets away?

"

It’s part of Second Stage’s subscription package—so that lowers the average price considerably. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 8:31pm

Call_me_jorge said: "ACL2006 said: "Does LIGHTNING THIEF even finish it's limited run? Had a few friends see the show this weekend(thanks to comps) and said the theater was empty.

How much longer for MEAN GIRLS?

it's interesting to see COME FROM AWAY and EVAN HANSEN so close in grosses now. "

I wonder.... Come From Away has been able to have three concurrently running productions in North America with no problem. Dear Evan Hansen was unable to sustain its Toronto production and I’ll be curious to see if the London production sees any success. Come From Away seems like a bigger hit than Dear Evan Hansen at this point."

I  think it is too early to reach any conclusions; The Plymouth or whatever it is called is slightly larger than the Music Box.  As a result, keeping it simple, offsetting DEH's longer run is CFAs larger number of seats.  Since beginning performances, DEH has grossed $216MM and filled 1,192,000 seats; CFA has grossed $152MM and filled 1,158,000 seats...bottom line: DEH has been selling tickets at a much larger price for the entire time they have run in parallel.  Even last week, DEH average price was $131 (pretty low  for DEH), whereas CFA was $115, which is higher than it has been (averaged out) for awhile.

This aberration seems to have begun just when school started.  In the past 6 or so weeks, DEH'sgrossvs gross potential has dropped below 100% after being at or above 100% since pretty much opening.  At the same time, in the past 6 or so weeks CFA's gross vs. gross potential percent has gone up, not significantly since it has been pretty steady for a long time (note: it has not been at or near 100% for close to a  year), as it has made extremely effective use of discount pricing to fill the theatre, IMO following in Mormon's footsteps very successfully.  

Apparently, based on an article I read  today, DEH has really not offered (or minimally done so...I was not  clear) discounting options, although they have lowered prices overall.  It may be time for them to follow CFA  and Mormon; I will venture that they will be very successful when they do.       

I am also still willing to bet that they both make it to their fifth anniversary. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 8:35pm

They both are very cheap shows to run

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 10:11pm

DEH just started with a discount code this Fall. COME FROM AWAY has had a discount since July. Both are cheap to run a should still have several more years in them. When was the last season that had two new musicals run for 5 years or more?

[SpookyFish13]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 10:15pm

I'm looking forward to seeing Beetlejuice's numbers in the next several weeks. This will be it's prime season, and the producers will be eyeing these numbers to figure out what to do with the show (rehoming, closing).

It's a shame for Mean Girls, especially considering most of the cast will probably be finishing their contracts soon... I really can't see it lasting long after the other leads bow out. 

I'm also bummed about The Sound Inside. That's one I'm really looking forward to seeing, and I really hope it doesn't go the way of Frankie & Johnny... Mary Louise Parker has another play coming up later this season, so I hope The Sound Inside can have a good finish to send her confidently into her next play.

Come From Away doesn't surprise me at all. It has been such a huge hit because not only does it obviously strike home with Americans, but the fact that it showcases Newfoundland culture really makes Canadians flock to see it whenever we can.  It has incredibly strong word of mouth here in Canada, especially in the east coast. I'm not at all surprised the North American productions are doing so well. Good on 'em.

Updated On: 9/30/19 at 10:15 PM

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 10:20pm

ACL2006 said: "DEH just started with a discount code this Fall. COME FROM AWAY has had a discount since July. Both are cheap to run a should still have several more years in them. When was the last season that had two new musicals run for 5 years or more?"

It hasn't been since the 2013-2014 season: Aladdin and Beautiful! 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 10:24pm

The Toronto production* of COME FROM AWAY just extended again into March 2020 and will celebrate its two year anniversary soon. When was the last time a sit-down production in Toronto ran that long? The tour is already booking for the 2020-2021 season.

 

*the production has moved theaters. It played the Royal Alexandra Theater until Jan. 2019, played a week in Newfoundland, then moved to the Elgin Theater. The production is moving back to the Royal Alexandra Theater in December.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/1/19 at 12:50am

^ When was the last time a Broadway musical ABOUT Canada played Toronto?

Second Stage needs to reconsider the employment of the person who makes advertising/marketing decisions. Even Chris Evans & Michael Cera and Josh Charles & Armie Hammer can't sell out a 2nd Stage-produced show on Broadway. These numbers are ridiculous, and their advertising is consistently poor.

This fall will be interesting for Mean Girls.

Updated On: 10/1/19 at 12:50 AM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 10/1/19 at 1:04am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "
Second Stage needs to reconsider the employment ofthe person who makes advertising/marketing decisions. Even Chris Evans & Michael Cera andJosh Charles & Armie Hammer can't sell out a 2nd Stage-produced show on Broadway. "

 

Totally agree. I couldn't believe that Chris Evans, at the height of his Marvel popularity, along with Michael Cera, and rising star, Brian Tyree Henry, couldn't sell out the SMALLEST theatre on Broadway for very limited run. And same thing for Armie Hammer, who was fresh off one of his most celebrated film roles to date. And while I'm sure many factors went into it, the advertising was clearly an issue. The stars' names were buried at the bottom in cramped-looking font (not to mentioned the ugly, unattractive orange color). 

I'm purely speculating here, but the impression I got was almost as if Second Stage believed they were "above" advertising their huge, bankable names. Like they wanted it to be all about the art, and put all of their artists on equal footing. And yet they went out of their way to get recognizable names. Trying to have their cake and eat it too, maybe. And then they ended up renting out the Hayes for the entire season following. Again, probably for a variety of reasons, but I'd be surprised to learn that lack of money wasn't a key factor. 

 

[magictodo123]

Posted: 10/1/19 at 10:27am

IErmengardeStopSniveling said: "^ When was the last time a Broadway musical ABOUT Canada played Toronto?

Second Stage needs to reconsider the employment ofthe person who makes advertising/marketing decisions. Even Chris Evans & Michael Cera andJosh Charles & Armie Hammer can't sell out a 2nd Stage-produced show on Broadway. These numbers are ridiculous, and their advertising is consistently poor.

This fall will be interesting for Mean Girls."

 

i saw a casting notice for mean girls on playbill. I know they’re required to put one out every once and a while, but I can’t help but wonder if some original cast members are planning on leaving by the end of the year. 

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/1/19 at 11:14am

ACL2006 said: "DEH just started with a discount code this Fall. COME FROM AWAY has had a discount since July. Both are cheap to run a should still have several more years in them. When was the last season that had two new musicals run for 5 years or more?"

 

Come From Away has been discounting for far longer than July.  I received a mailer about a year ago.  Their discounting approach has been incredibly successful, and very 'subtle', for want of a better word.  DEH's business has dropped so suddenly that I can only assume that did not plan very well.  They must have seen the advance sales going down and failed / refused to react.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  

I never thought that I would say this, especially on such limited data, but I am beginning to think that CFA's 'universality' may keep it running longer than DEH.  As someone else posted, they both must have low operating costs, which will help the run as well.

Updated On: 10/1/19 at 11:14 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/1/19 at 11:39am

JBroadway said: "the impression I got was almost as if Second Stage believed they were "above" advertising their huge, bankable names. Like they wanted it to be all about the art, and put all of their artists on equal footing. And yet they went out of their way to get recognizable names. Trying to have their cake and eat it too, maybe. And then they ended up renting out the Hayes for the entire season following. Again, probably for a variety of reasons, but I'd be surprised to learn that lack of money wasn't a key factor."
 

I don't know if it's thinking they're "above" advertising, but other Broadway non-profits have realized that the rigid corporate branding of an off-Bway theatre (i.e. same font for all the show titles, actors billed alphabetically below the title, etc) simply doesn't work when advertising a Broadway show. There's too much competition to cut through on Broadway –– and obviously 2nd Stage doesn't have a robust enough subscriber base to fill up the Helen Hayes, even in previews.

And the ad agency (RPM) shouldn't be blamed. The agency operates under the guidance of whoever is acting as the "producer" (the managing director and/or artistic director).

The artistic success of the shows means little when the numbers are as poor as this. And it will come back to bite 2nd Stage –– why should any playwright want to work at a Broadway non-profit that primarily sells discount tickets and has such low averages (2nd Stage Broadway stats: gross of $362,071, gross potential under 60%, ticket price $86)? Obviously they're not the only Broadway non-profit that's struggling, and due to subscriptions the gross potential will never be as high as a commercial show, but it shouldn't take 3 shows over 1.5 years to figure this out.

Updated On: 10/1/19 at 11:39 AM