Industry grosses were up 12 percent last week as a number of new shows began previews amid the spring rush and as crowds flocked to see Jonathan Groff as he winds down his run in Just In Time.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball began previews at the Broadhurst Theatre last week and played to 100 percent capacity, bringing in a strong $612,084 across its first four previews. The revival, reimagined as a ballroom competition, is set to open April 7, after an Off-Broadway run last spring.
The Fear of 13, starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson, also had a strong showing as the play began previews at the James Earl Jones Theatre last week and played to 98 percent capacity, bringing in $474,131 across the first three shows. The play comes to Broadway after a West End run and is set to open April 15.
Becky Shaw, starring The Pitt’s Patrick Ball and Weapons’ Alden Ehrenreich, brought in $213,904 across its first five previews at the Hayes Theater, owned by the nonprofit Second Stage. Capacity was at 97 percent. The play, which ran Off-Broadway in 2008, is set to open April 6.
Ahead of its opening March 23, Giant, starring John Lithgow, brought in over $1 million across seven performances, which included press comps, and played to 98 percent capacity at the Music Box Theatre. The play also comes to Broadway after a West End run, where it won the Olivier for best new play.
Dog Day Afternoon, starring Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, is next to open, on March 30. The play brought in $1.2 million across seven previews and played to 100 percent capacity. Death of a Salesman, starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf, brought in a little more than $1 million and played to 96 percent capacity at the Winter Garden Theatre, ahead of its April 9 opening.
Among the high earners last week, Just In Time broke its all-time box office record for the second week in a row, bringing in $1.9 million across eight performances, with capacity above 100 percent. Average ticket price increased to an eye-popping $327.96 from last week’s $294.42, ahead of star Jonathan Groff’s final performance in the show on March 29. The musical was the fifth highest grossing show in the industry last week.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was the highest grossing show, bringing in $2.6 million, followed by Hamilton with $2.4 million, The Lion King with $2 million and Wicked with $1.9 million.
All new shows must open by April 26 to be eligible for the 2026 Tony Awards.
