Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, brought in a massive $2.6 million across its first seven performances on Broadway.
The play broke multiple box office records at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, surpassing those set by plays across nine performances and by musicals by more than $1 million. It was helped by an eye-popping average ticket price of $361.90. The next highest average ticket price on Broadway last week was for The Outsiders at $155.
The totals made Othello the highest grossing show on Broadway last week, beating out Wicked, which has held the top spot for months, propelled by momentum from the film.
The play, directed by Kenny Leon and produced by Brian Moreland, is set to open March 23.
Several other new shows are also gearing up for the spring season, including Purpose, the new political family drama by Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Phylicia Rashad and starring LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The show played to 100% capacity across its first seven performances at the Hayes Theater last week, and brought in $300,892. The play is set to open March 17.
Buena Vista Social Club played its first week of seven performances at the Schoenfeld Theater, and brought in $758,261. Capacity dipped slightly to 92 percent from the full house during its first three performances. The musical is set to open March 19.
The other top earners of the week included Wicked, with $2.4 million, Hamilton with $1.55 million, The Lion King with $1.52 million and The Outsiders with $1.28 million.
Read the full article here