Broadway Grosses: New Shows Offer Spring Hope

Another blast of cold weather kept box offices fairly low this week, with nine shows playing to less than 70% capacity. However, new addition to the board, West Side Story, continued to do well, grossing over $1 million and filling the large Palace Theatre to over 90%. Also holding strong were Billy Elliot, Wicked, Jersey Boys and South Pacific. More shows began previews this past week, including the revivals of Hair and Exit the King.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending March 8:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,231,466
2. West Side Story $1,066,334*
3. Billy Elliot $952,298
4. Jersey Boys $940,795
5. You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush $868,899

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5. Avenue Q $227,059
4. August: Osage County $212,048
3. The American Plan $184,167
2. The 39 Steps $152,935
1. Exit the King $126,011**

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush 99.88%
2. Wicked 96.28%
3. Jersey Boys 91.73%
4. West Side Story 91%*
5. South Pacific 89.35%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. Impressionism 60.22%*
4. 33 Variations 58.34%***
3. Blithe Spirit 57.83%***
2. The 39 Steps 51.70%
1. August: Osage County 44.10%

*Number based on seven preview performances.
**Number based on two preview performances.
***Number based on eight preview performances.

Data provided by the Broadway League