As the summer season on Broadway comes to a close, the total grosses for the week ending August 25th were down by approximately 10% compared to the previous week. This decline can be attributed, at least in part, to the summer edition of Kids‘ Night on Broadway, where 19 out of 24 shows offered free performances to children accompanied by a full-paying adult. Family favorites like The Lion King and Aladdin experienced significant drops in revenue, with The Lion King down by $203,453 and Aladdin dropping $176,876.
Total attendance for the week reached 211,342, marking a 6% decrease from the previous week and a 1% decrease from the same period last year. While 91% of all available seats were filled, compared to 92% in the previous week, some shows stood out in terms of attendance. Shows like Oh, Mary!, Stereophonic, and The Outsiders continued to sell out, while Once Upon A Mattress, Wicked, and Hadestown came close with 99% of their seats occupied.
Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin are set to leave their roles on Broadway on September 14. Redmayne, who has been playing the Emcee since the revival opened on the West End in 2021, has contributed to the success of the show since its transfer to Broadway in April. On the other end of the spectrum, shows like Water For Elephants, The Notebook, and Harry Potter And The Cursed Child saw lower attendance rates, with capacities ranging from 75% to 76%.
Season-to-Date Performance
As Broadway enters its 14th week of the 2024-25 season, the total gross stands at $453,418,819, representing a 6% increase over the same period last year. Total attendance has also seen a rise, with 3,601,394 people attending shows, marking a 4% increase. It will be interesting to see how these numbers evolve in the coming weeks as new shows open and established ones bid farewell to beloved cast members.
While the summer slowdown on Broadway can be partially attributed to Kids’ Night on Broadway, it is clear that certain shows continue to draw audiences and sell out performances. The upcoming fall season promises new opportunities for growth and success, as well as the possibility of new challenges. Broadway remains a dynamic and ever-changing environment, where each show must navigate the delicate balance between artistic integrity and commercial viability.