• Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal set a new Broadway record, grossing $2.8M in one week.
• Broadway ticket prices hit new highs, with Othello premium tickets reaching $897.
• Last week, all 26 Broadway shows grossed $28.3M, up 5% from the prior week.

Broadway is buzzing, and for good reason. The revival of Othello at the historic Barrymore Theatre has taken the charts by storm. Last week, the production starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal grossed a jaw-dropping $2,818,297, officially becoming the highest-grossing (eight-performance) play in Broadway history.

The previous titleholder, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, now sits in second place with a weekly gross of $2,718,488 recorded back in December 2023.

Othello Sets New Benchmarks

Othello not only smashed Broadway records but also beat its own previous weekly earnings. During its first seven previews, it grossed $2,637,158, showing steady enthusiasm from theatergoers. The average ticket price last week was a hefty $338.09, slightly lower than the $361.90 average during its initial week—but still leagues above most other Broadway shows.

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Directed by the talented Kenny Leon, Othello officially opens on March 23, with a limited run until June 8. If you’re looking to experience this groundbreaking production, snag your tickets soon, as demand is through the roof.

Other Shows Shine in Previews

While Othello dominates the headlines, other productions in previews last week also made waves:

• Purpose, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Phylicia Rashad, played to 94% capacity at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The play grossed a respectable $328,752, with its official premiere set for March 17.
• Buena Vista Social Club delighted audiences at the Schoenfeld Theatre. With attendance at 93% capacity, the show brought in $773,353 ahead of its March 19 opening.
• Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical sold out all seven previews at the Golden Theatre, raking in $606,652. The comedy, gaining momentum through international word-of-mouth buzz, officially opens on March 20.

Broadway’s $2M Club Grows

Othello has joined the prestigious ranks of Broadway’s $2M+ grossing shows, a list previously occupied by only Wicked. Last week, Othello’s $2.8M gross outperformed Wicked’s $2.4M, demonstrating its commanding presence.

Other top earners like Hamilton ($1.7M) and The Lion King ($1.5M) held steady, while The Outsiders and Gypsy earned $1.3M and $1.2M, respectively.

Are Ticket Prices Soaring Too High?

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With Broadway ticket prices climbing, audiences might be wondering if affordability is a thing of the past. Last week’s average ticket price for all Broadway shows was around $119.81, but Othello’s average ticket cost of $338.09 far outpaced that figure.

For comparison, premium tickets for shows like Hamilton and The Outsiders ranged from $325 to $497, but Othello’s top premium price hit an eye-watering $897.

Broadway by the Numbers

Altogether, the 26 shows playing on Broadway last week grossed $28,328,355, marking a 5% increase from the prior week and a 15% jump over the same period last year. Attendance also rose to 236,448, up 3% week-over-week.

So far this season, Broadway has grossed a staggering $1,407,603,728, with 11,069,927 attendees, both up 18% compared to the previous year.

Share Your Thoughts

What do you think about Othello’s record-breaking success? Have Broadway ticket prices become too steep for the average fan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

For more updates on Broadway and the entertainment world, visit The Dupree Report. If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to share it with your friends and followers!

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