Broadway Grosses: Martin Short Comes to Town

Though summertime is traditionally a slow period for Broadway openings, a big show has just arrived in town: Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me started previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on July 29. Funnyman Short, best known for his Saturday Night Live and SCTV skits, is also a Broadway veteran who won a Best Actor Tony Award in 1999 for Little Me. The first three previews of his new show grossed $168,722, a good start as he heads toward an August 17 opening night. Welcome back to Broadway, Mr. Short.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending July 30:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,443,870
2. The Lion King $1,254,190
3. The Color Purple $1,154,209
4. The Jersey Boys $1,068,711
5. Spamalot $1,005,439

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee $338,994
4. Sweeney Todd $331,049
3. Bridge and Tunnel $214,110
2. The Lieutenant of Inishmore $197,644
1. Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me $168,722*

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. Jersey Boys 100.55%
2. Mamma Mia! 100.54%
3. The Lion King 100.02%
4. Wicked 100%
5. The Color Purple 99.86%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me* 72.55%
4. The Producers 70.41%
3. The Wedding Singer 72.10%
2. Sweeney Todd 66.07%
1. The Lieutenant of Inishmore 62.64%

*Number based on three preview performances.

Data provided by The League of American Theatres and Producers.