Broadway enjoyed a sustained boom for years even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, but like many other performing arts forms, theaters have been recovering after extended closures. The industry is struggling not only with public health concerns, but also with declining tourism in New York City, the slow return of office workers to Midtown, a concerned economy, and perhaps changes in entertainment habits. I have been challenged.
During the 2021-22 Broadway season (a short season as most theaters remained closed during the summer of 2021), 6,729,143 people attended Broadway shows, the last full season before the pandemic of 2018 Down from 14,768,254 in the -19 season. Annual Broadway box office revenues fell from $1.8 billion to $845 million during this period.
The industry appears to be continuing to soften. In his week ending October 2, 25 shows were run on Broadway, attended by 209,668 people and grossed $25,208,583. In the comparison week of 2019 (the last comparison week before the pandemic shutdown), there were 33 shows, 261,793 people in attendance, and $30,098,714 in revenue.
The struggle contributed to many closures. Most importantly, The Phantom of the Opera has announced plans to close on his February 18th, ending his record-breaking 35 years of performances on Broadway. Two of his modest hits, “Come From Away” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” also recently closed, and the successful revival of “The Music Man” will also close on New Year’s Day.
New Yorkers will have a chance to see Jackson’s work next year. His new musical, White Girl in Danger, is set to hit Broadway next spring at his Second Stage Theater in collaboration with the Vineyard Theater.