Industry NewsBroadway Ends 2018–2019 With Highest Gross and Attendance in Recorded HistoryAmong the heavy hitters contributing to the new record is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which is now the first Broadway play to gross over $100 million in a single year.
By
Ryan McPhee
May 28, 2019
Cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildMatthew Murphy
The Broadway League has revealed that in the 2018–2019 season (May 28, 2018–May 26, 2019), the Main Stem welcomed more theatregoers than ever—and made more in the process.
With a combined 1,737 playing weeks, Broadway productions grossed a total of $1.83 billion, beating last year’s record of $1.7 billion by 7.8 percent. Attendance reached 14.77 million, up nearly one million despite 53 weeks counted in last season (as opposed to the usual 52).
Among the shows bringing in significant figures were usual suspects such as Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King, as well as buzzy new arrivals like Hadestown, Ain’t too Proud, and Network. Last year’s Best Play Tony winner, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, made $105,057,544, becoming the first non-musical play to gross over $100 million in a single Broadway season.
“This substantial growth in attendance clearly reflects the large variety of offerings including long running shows, new hit productions and stories relevant to our society today,” said Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin. “This, coupled with the fact that over 50 percent of tickets are priced below $101, the industry is achieving its goal of being more accessible to everyone.”
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Photos: The 2018-2019 Broadway Marquees
Photos: The 2018-2019 Broadway Marquees
69 PHOTOS
The Boys In The Band at the Booth Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
The Boys In The Band at the Booth Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
The Boys In The Band at the Booth Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
Straight White Men at the Hayes Theatre
Head Over Heels at the Hudson Theatre
Head Over Heels at the Hudson Theatre
Getting the Band Back Together at the Belasco Theatre
Getting the Band Back Together at the Belasco Theatre
Pretty Woman at the Nederlander Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
Pretty Woman at the Nederlander Theatre
Bernhardt/Hamlet at the American Airlines Theatre
Bernhardt/Hamlet at the American Airlines Theatre
The Nap at the Samuel J. Friedman
The Nap at the Samuel J. Friedman
The Lifespan of a Fact at Studio 54
The Lifespan of a Fact at Studio 54
The Ferryman at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
The Ferryman at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
The Waverly Gallery at the John Golden Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
The Waverly Gallery at the John Golden Theatre
Torch Song at the Hayes Theatre
American Son at the Booth Theatre
American Son at the Booth Theatre
King Kong at the Broadway Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
King Kong at the Broadway Theatre
The New One at the Cort Theatre
Roberto Araujo
The New One at the Cort Theatre
The Prom at the Longacre Theatre
The Prom at the Longacre Theatre
The Illusionists at the Marquis Theatre
The Cher Show at the Neil Simon Theatre
The Cher Show at the Neil Simon Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
Network at the Belasco Theatre
Roberto Araujo
Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show at the Imperial Theatre
