Broadway Grosses: Rent Closing Countdown Begins

Broadway's top five lists didn't change very much in the week leading up to the Labor Day holiday, with one exception: Rent, which is scheduled to close on September 7, was back near the top, doing capacity business at the Nederlander Theatre. As the countdown to closing night begins, fans flocked to see the hit musical for the final or first time. Overall, the numbers were better than the previous week, reflecting summer vacationers in the city.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending August 24:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,521,795
2. The Lion King $1,322,667
3. Jersey Boys $1,135,723
4. The Little Mermaid $1,083,065
5. Mamma Mia! $1,057,007

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5.A Tale of Two Cities $412,356*
4. Avenue Q $357,071
3. Xanadu $355,487
2. The 39 Steps $293,113
1. [title of show] $164,458

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. Mamma Mia! 101.70%
2. Rent 100.79%
2. Jersey Boys 100.79%—tie
4. The Lion King 100.02%
5. Wicked 100%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. Legally Blonde 76.46%
4. Gypsy 76.20%
3. A Tale of Two Cities 71.97%*
2. Spring Awakening 70.67%
1. [title of show] 49.92%

*Number based on seven previews.
Data provided by the Broadway League.