Another new show, another potential new hit. Buena Vista Social Club debuted on the boards last week with a February 21 start of previews at the Schoenfeld. With an incomplete week of previews, the show brought in an impressive $447,171. Translated to the typical eight-performance week, that performance would debut the new musical in The $1 Million Club.
And as is often the case, healthy ticket prices are driving that performance. Most shows start their runs with the steepest discounts as they wait for word of mouth to increase audience demand, but Buena Vista played its first three previews to an average ticket price of $142.09, the fifth highest of any currently running show. If the show can keep that up on its way to its March 19 opening night, we could well have yet another hit on our hands.
Otherwise, last week was a lot more of what we've been seeing on Broadway, with Wicked leading the pack with $2.6 million and The Lion King, Hamilton, The Outsiders, and Aladdin filling out the rest of the top five. Cumulative grosses actually fell by more than 13%, dropping from $32 million the week ending February 16 to $27.9 million last week—but that's notably with two less shows for people to see (All In and Eureka Day both closed February 16).
Attendance was down, too, as were average ticket prices. But not to worry. We're in that "between" period with tourists largely staying away from our frosty temperatures and many new, buzzy shows still ahead of us. Spring will bring the end of both of those situations, no doubt sending box offices skyrocketing. This last week beat the same week last season by more than 7%, and this season so far is beating the same period from last season by more than 18%. This season is a resounding success, and we love to see it!
Take a look at the full report here.
The $1 Million Club (shows that earned $1 million or more at the box office):
- Wicked ($2.56 million)
- The Lion King
- Hamilton
- The Outsiders
- Aladdin
- MJ The Musical
- Sunset Boulevard
- The Great Gatsby
- Death Becomes Her
- & Juliet
- Cabaret
- Hell's Kitchen
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
(13 of 26 currently running productions)
The 90s Club (shows that played to 90% or higher of their seats filled over the entire week):
- The Outsiders (102.48%)
- Hamilton (100.42%)
- Buena Vista Social Club (100%)
- Operation Mincemeat (100%)
- Wicked (100%)
- & Juliet
- English
- Hadestown
- The Lion King
- Death Becomes Her
- Aladdin
- The Book of Mormon
- Cabaret
- Maybe Happy Ending
- SIX: The Musical
- The Great Gatsby
- MJ The Musical
(17 of 26 currently running productions)
