Broadway Grosses: Numbers Down; West Side Story Starts Strong

It was a good news/bad news week on Broadway. Although grosses overall were down after the traditional “winter break” week, spring is on the horizon with six new shows in previews, including revivals of West Side Story and Guys and Dolls, both of which played to greater than 95% of capacity. The champ in that category was another new entry, Will Ferrell’s You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush. West Side Story also topped the magic $1 million mark in only seven previews at the Palace Theatre.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending March 1:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,241,055
2. West Side Story $1,042,713*
3. Billy Elliot $986,886
4. Jersey Boys $955,865
5. The Lion King $883,545

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5. The American Plan $220,216
4. Hedda Gabler $213,285
3. The 39 Steps $162,117
2. God of Carnage $118,607**
1. Impressionism $59,699***

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush 100.05%
2. Guys & Dolls 96.32%****
3. West Side Story 95.60%*
4. Wicked 94.73%
5. Jersey Boys 92.26%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. Blithe Spirit 65.68%*****
4. Shrek the Musical 65%
3. The 39 Steps 61.61%
2. 33 Variations 55.95%******
1. August: Osage County 52.66%

*Number based on seven preview performances.
**Number based on two preview performances.
***Number based on one preview performance.
****Number based on seven previews and one regular performance.
*****Number based on five preview performances.
******Number based on eight preview performances.
Data provided by the Broadway League.