Broadway Grosses: Box Office Drops; Will Ferrell as Bush Starts Strong

The real George W. Bush exited center stage last week after the inauguration of his successor, but the fictional “W” is riding high on Broadway. In its first week of previews, You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush starring Will Ferrell topped the leader board, playing to 99.57% of capacity at the Cort Theatre and grossing a very healthy $837,353, barely missing the top five for grosses. Elsewhere, the numbers weren’t as cheery, with most shows experiencing the usual January falloff in attendance.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending January 25:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,236,816
2. Billy Elliot $1,096,021
3. Jersey Boys $990,622
4. South Pacific $871,715
5. The Lion King $861,468

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5. Speed-the-Plow $315,745
4. Avenue Q $247,179
3. Hedda Gabler $202,292*
2. The 39 Steps $187,902**
1. The American Plan $144,041***

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush 99.57%****
2. Wicked 93.98%
3. South Pacific 93.76%
4. Jersey Boys 93.34%
5. Billy Elliot 87.60%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. August: Osage County 64.91%
4. Equus 61.41%
3. The American Plan 57.38%***
2. Shrek the Musical 56.29%
1. Speed-the-Plow 53.65%

*Number based on 7 previews and 1 regular performance.
**Number based on 7 regular performances.
***Number based on 2 previews and 6 regular performances.
****Number based on 8 preview performances.
Data provided by the Broadway League.