The final curtain call for one of Broadway’s most anticipated revivals was met with a thunderous and financially monumental applause. In its closing week, the critically acclaimed production of Gypsy, starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, delivered a stunning box office performance, grossing a whopping $1.6 million. This surge in ticket sales, which saw the show play to 94% capacity at the Majestic Theatre, created a ripple effect across the industry, contributing to a week of significant shifts at the top of the earnings chart.

How Do Broadway Shows Perform at the Box Office?

The financial health of Broadway is a complex ecosystem, influenced by star power, critical reception, awards season buzz, and seasonal trends. Last week’s figures, as reported by The Broadway League, provide a masterclass in these dynamics. While Gypsy’s farewell surge was a headline story, the most seismic shift was the changing of the guard at the very top. For the first time in recent memory, Hamilton unseated the long-reigning champion, Wicked, to become the highest-grossing show on Broadway. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s cultural phenomenon brought in an staggering $2.2 million. Wicked settled into a strong second place with $2 million, followed closely by Disney’s The Lion King with $1.9 million. This fierce competition at the pinnacle demonstrates the immense drawing power of Broadway’s biggest brands.

The week also saw strong performances from new and recent entries. The new production of Mamma Mia! at the Winter Garden Theatre opened strong, grossing $1.606 million across its first eight performances, playing to 100% capacity. Meanwhile, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Purpose continued its impressive post-awards ascent, hitting a new personal record with a gross of $763,560 and an average ticket price of $165.06, proving that serious drama can also be a serious box office contender.

The Seasonal Slump and Industry Outlook

Despite these standout successes, the overall Broadway landscape showed signs of entering its traditional early fall slump. Industry-wide grosses dipped by 4% compared to the previous week, with attendance falling 2.3%. This pattern is typical as the summer tourism wave recedes and before the rush of new productions and holiday crowds arrive in late fall. The data underscores a recurring challenge for productions without major awards or superstar leads during these transitional periods, where maintaining audience momentum is crucial for survival.

The past week on Broadway was a tale of two realities: record-breaking triumphs for the industry’s titans and a sobering reminder of the constant economic pressures facing live theater. The spectacular $1.6 million finale for Gypsy and Hamilton’s reclaiming of the box office crown prove that exceptional talent and undeniable buzz can defy even seasonal trends. For theater lovers, this means the best shows often demand planning ahead and securing tickets well in advance to witness theatrical history in the making.

Must Know

What was the highest grossing Broadway show last week?
Hamilton was the highest-grossing Broadway show, bringing in $2.2 million and unseating Wicked from the top spot for the first time in a long while.

How much did the Gypsy revival make in its final week?
In its final week of performances, the revival of Gypsy starring Audra McDonald grossed an impressive $1.6 million while playing to 94% audience capacity.

What is the average ticket price for a Broadway show?
Ticket prices vary wildly. For example, Purpose had a high average of $165.06, while the Gypsy revival averaged $134.58. Premium seats for top shows can cost hundreds more.

How did Mamma Mia! perform in its opening week?
The new production of Mamma Mia! had a very successful opening, grossing $1.606 million and playing to 100% capacity at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Is Broadway attendance down?
Last week, overall Broadway attendance was down 2.3% from the previous week, which industry analysts attribute to the typical early fall slowdown before the holiday season.