Broadway's Weekly Box Office: A Tale of Triumphs and Surprises
The Great White Way just wrapped up another week, and the numbers are in! For the week ending November 2, 2025, Broadway raked in a total gross of $33.8 million, with 277,506 tickets sold across 35 shows. But here's where it gets interesting: while attendance saw a slight uptick of 0.09% compared to last week, overall sales took a dip of 8.36%. What's behind this discrepancy? Is it a sign of shifting audience preferences, or just a temporary blip? We'll dive into the details, but first, let's explore the highlights and lowlights of the week.
The Week's Big Moments
LIBERATION had its highly anticipated opening night, followed by several post-opening press performances. Despite a lower gross for the week, the show's future looks bright, with ticket sales tripling after universally positive reviews. But here's where it gets controversial: Can a show sustain its momentum solely on critical acclaim, or does it need more than just rave reviews to thrive?
PUNCH closed its doors on November 2, but not before livestreaming all performances from October 28 to November 2. And this is the part most people miss: Livestream tickets, though not included in this report, could be a game-changer for Broadway's future. Could this be the start of a new era in theater accessibility?
LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD opened at the Booth Theatre on October 30, starring Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock. Early reviews are in, and they're worth checking out. But will this production find its footing in a crowded Broadway landscape?
Upcoming Openings and Previews
Several shows are gearing up for their big debuts:
- THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES (previews at the St. James, opens November 9)
- ROB LAKE MAGIC WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE MUPPETS (previews at the Broadhurst, opens November 11)
- OEDIPUS (previews at Studio 54, opens November 13)
- CHESS (previews at the Imperial, opens November 16)
- TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) (previews at the Longacre, opens November 20)
Attendance and Sales: The Winners and Losers
Shows that saw an increase in attendance (% of capacity) include HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (+5%), PUNCH (+3.7%), and OH, MARY! (+0.4%). On the flip side, SIX: THE MUSICAL (-14.8%), CHICAGO (-14%), and THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES (-11.2%) experienced significant drops. Bold question: Are these declines a reflection of seasonal trends, or a sign of deeper issues?
Top and Bottom Performers
- Top 5 by Gross: HAMILTON ($3.4M), WICKED ($2.0M), THE LION KING ($1.7M), CHESS ($1.7M), WAITING FOR GODOT ($1.6M)
- Bottom 5 by Gross: LIBERATION ($214K), PUNCH ($331K), LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD ($352K), SIX: THE MUSICAL ($468K), CHICAGO ($470K)
Average Ticket Prices: The Highs and Lows
- Highest Average Ticket Price: HAMILTON ($320), JUST IN TIME ($231), WAITING FOR GODOT ($204)
- Lowest Average Ticket Price: LIBERATION ($44), LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD ($70), PUNCH ($72)
Thought-Provoking Questions for You
As we wrap up this week's Broadway roundup, we leave you with these questions: Do lower ticket prices guarantee higher attendance? Can critically acclaimed shows like LIBERATION sustain their success without mainstream appeal? And, most controversially, is livestreaming the future of Broadway, or will it dilute the magic of live theater? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your take!
