Broadway Grosses: Box Office Still Sluggish; Billy Elliot Soars

Broadway box offices remained in the pre-holiday doldrums, with more than half the shows playing to houses less than 70% full. The starry revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo became the first commercial production of the fall season to close, ending its run at the Belasco Theatre on November 23 after a total of 28 performances. On the bright side, a stellar New York Times review pushed the new musical Billy Elliot above the magic $1 million mark in its first full week of performances.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending November 23:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,325,394
2. Billy Elliot $1,057,069
3. Jersey Boys $1,052,330
4. The Lion King $968,317
5. South Pacific $907,702

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5. Dividing the Estate $234,209*
4. Avenue Q $226,322
3. 13 $224,957
2. American Buffalo $202,442
1. The 39 Steps $154,785

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. South Pacific 99.81%
2. Jersey Boys 98.76%
3. Wicked 97.53%
4. Billy Elliot 92.36%
5. Mamma Mia! 91.56%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. Equus 49.89%
4. American Buffalo 47.70%
3. Gypsy 47.42%
2. 13 45.86%
1. The 39 Steps 52.94%

*Number based on three previews and five regular performances.
Data provided by the Broadway League.