A Phantom-less Broadway took a hit at the box office last week, dropping about 18% in total receipts (to $31,558,171) from the previous week when Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masked singer had contributed $3.7 million in its final week.
With The Phantom of the Opera gone, another long-runner took the top box office spot: The Lion King grossed $2,165,365 for the week ending April 23. Hamilton came in second with $1,946,309 and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was #3 with $1,823,700.
Several shows had their opening nights last week (so keep in mind, lots of press seats and comp tickets) :
- Peter Pan Goes Wrong, featuring guest star Neil Patrick Harris, had another strong week at the Barrymore, grossing $817,912;
- Prima Facie, starring Jodie Comer, opened at the Golden with a fine $807,416 gross;
- The Thanksgiving Play took in $205,807 at the Hayes for the nonprof Second Stage Theater company.
Still previewing were Good Night, Oscar, starring Sean Hayes, filling 82% of seats at the Belasco for a $614,405 take; Summer, 1976, filled 95% of seats at the Friedman, grossing $355,365; and new musical New York, New York at the St. James was a 90% capacity for a $967,105 gross.
Season to date, Broadway has grossed $1,451,307,774, with total attendance of 11,211,896 at 89% of capacity.
All figures courtesy of The Broadway League. For complete box office listings, visit the League’s website.