‘Hell’s Kitchen’, ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘Uncle Vanya’ Among Strong Broadway Box Office Newcomers

A very busy Broadway held its own last week, with 36 productions pulling in a combined $34,650,614, a good 10% increase over last year at this time.

About 92% of all available seats were occupied, with total attendance of 299,107 about 15% greater year-over-year.

No fewer than five shows opening during the week ending April 21, with an additional six in previews. Nearly all of them, with one exception, were at 90% of capacity or more.

The Wiz opened at the Marquis on April 17, grossing a hefty $1,481,592 and filling 99% of seats;
Suffs opened April 18 at the Music Box, filling 93% of seats and grossing $555,012;
Stereophonic opened April 19, selling out at the Golden, grossing $335,737;
Hell’s Kitchen opened April 20, 98% capacity at the Shubert, grossing $776,634;
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club filled all seats for six shows at the August Wilson, though several heavily comped press performances and two “duel opening” comped performances saw receipts fall significantly from the previous week, settling at $823,217;
Patriots had seven previews – including a heavily comped gala show – last week, taking in $375,842, attendance at 92% of capacity;
The Heart of Rock and Roll, in its final full week of previews (opening night at the James Earl Jones was April 22), filled 81% of seats, grossing $262,179;
Mary Jane was at 96% at the Friedman, grossing $373,284;
Uncle Vanya, at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont, was at 98% of capacity, taking $928,893. Opening night is April 24;
Mother Play, at the Hayes, grossed $520,636, 99% capacity. Opening night is April 25;
The Great Gatsby, previewing at the Broadway, was at 95% of capacity, grossing a big $1,033,970.