Empire Street Productions' James Bierman has announced that Broadway's Prima Facie has recouped its $4.1 million capitalization costs as of June 18. The news comes after 10 weeks of performances and a 2023 Tony win for the solo play's starring actor Jodie Comer (Killing Eve).
Bierrman, who is a lead producer, said in a statement, "Bringing Prima Facie to Broadway has been a journey of responsibility and faith that has been met with a response that we only dared to dream of when we set out...I am especially pleased that we were able to recoup on Broadway whilst playing a limited engagement, and also holding true to low price and free ticket initiatives to ensure the show could reach audiences from all walks of life.”
Prima Facie has also set an eight-performance-week house record for the Golden Theatre where the Olivier-winning play runs for an extended engagement through July 2. It grossed $1,107,829.96 for the week ending June 18, 2023. The previous record was a gross of $1,077,919 held by Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women for the week ending June 17, 2018. Prima Facie opened April 23. Read the reviews here.
The play follows British defense lawyer Tessa, played by Comer in her Broadway debut, who works her way from a working-class background to a rising star in the legal field. Often assigned to defend men accused of sexual assault, she dedicates her career to a system she believes in. But her whole world is thrown into question after she ends up in the witness stand.
"This woman and this play have been my greatest teacher," said Comer in her Tony win acceptance speech. "To every person who feels represented by Tessa, this has been my greatest honor."
Prima Facie has its origins in when playwright Suzie Miller was a law student and then a defense lawyer. Miller seeks to “call out the legal system” and highlight one of the issues which continues post the #MeToo movement. Read more about how Miller developed the play and how it's been a catalyst for real change in her interview with Playbill.
Miller will soon adapt the play for the screen in a recently announced film adaptation starring Tony winner Cynthia Erivo. BAFTA winner and Emmy nominee Susanna White will direct.
Justin Martin (The Jungle) directs the production which features an original score by Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem), scenic and costume design by Miriam Buether, lighting design by Natasha Chivers, sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, and video by William Williams for Treatment Studio. Buether received a 2023 Tony nomination for her scenic design while Chivers, and Ben and Max Ringham have been nominated in their categories, respectively.
Partnering with organizations to further change, the Broadway production works with U.K.-based charity The Schools Consent Project, which seeks to educate young people on issues surrounding consent and sexual assault. It has also launched the Prima Facie Pro Bono Project, offering low-priced ticket lottery and rush tickets at every performance, while also providing free ticket access to specific partner and community organizations.
The show does include a trigger warning for including sensitive subject matters with references to sex, violence, and sexual assault.
Prima Facie is produced by Empire Street Productions, Elizabeth Armstrong, Barbara Broccoli, Caiola Productions, Kristin Caskey, Echo Lake Entertainment, Eilene Davidson Productions, Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Faliro House, FilmNation Entertainment, Dale Franzen, L.T.D. Productions Inc., Holly Anderson Levow, Stephanie P. McClelland, Olympus Theatricals, Rachel Sussman and The Shubert Organization.
Take a look at the Broadway production below.
Jodie Comer in Prima Facie
Jodie Comer in Prima Facie
Jodie Comer in Prima Facie
Jodie Comer in Prima Facie
Jodie Comer in Prima Facie
Jodie Comer in Prima Facie
