Broadway has another great week at the box office

Broadway box offices saw a second straight week of improved ticket sales with the total reaching $24,911,281 for the week ending May 22, up nearly $2 million from last week’s total of $23,029,210. The season as a whole is also experiencing a significant gain in sales at $1,056,823,953 for the year, an increase of $35,606,752.

There are now 35 productions currently running on Broadway this week with the closing of “Lombardi” on May 22. Eight productions, all musicals, reported box office receipts in excess of $1 million. Those productions were “Wicked” at the Gershwin in the top spot at $1,696,763, “The Lion King” at the Minskoff, at $1,649,365, “Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” at the Foxwoods at $1,260,794, “The Book of Mormon” at the Eugene O’Neill, $1,148,314 and “Jersey Boys” at the August Wilson, $1,113,978. “Arcadia” at the Barrymore reported the lowest return at the box office, $213,594.

There are 13 plays on Broadway with “War Horse” at the Beaumont continuing to lead ticket sales at $897,133 followed again by “The Motherf**ker With The Hat” at the Broadway at $736,699.

Attendance reported for the week overall improved at 85.39 percent. Thirteen shows reported 95 percent or more capacity with four of them reporting 100 percent or better. “The Book of Mormon” reported an unchanged 102.44 percent followed by “The Lion King” at 100.04 percent with “Wicked” and “War Horse” tied at 100 percent. “Arcadia” at the Barrymore reported the lowest percentage of capacity at 46.7 percent. “Mary Poppins” at the New Amsterdam enjoyed the highest increase in attendance, up 23.1 percent from the previous week.

Looking at Gross Gross Potential, four shows achieved 95 percent or better with “The Book of Mormon” reporting 116.5 percent, “Wicked” reporting 108.32 percent and “The Lion King” 108.04 percent. Reporting the lowest figure was “Arcadia” at 25.13 percent.

Five shows once again posted tickets with face values at or exceeding $300, including “Jersey Boys” at $350. “Arcadia” at the Marquis offered the best bargain-priced average ticket this week at $55.23.

“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” is the only production currently in previews and opens June 14.

The 56th Annual Drama Desk Awards winners were announced this past Monday. At the top of their list was “The Book of Mormon” which won the Outstanding Musical award. “War Horse” won for the Outstanding Play, “Anything Goes” won the Outstanding Revival of a Musical award and lastly “The Normal Heart” for Outstanding Revival of a Play.

All data provided by The Broadway League