For the season just ended, Broadway shows yielded $1,139,311,457 in grosses (an increase of 5.4% from last season), and total attendance reached 12,334,312.

There were 40 new shows that opened during the 2011-12 season: 14 musicals, 23 plays and three special productions.

To account for variances in the calendar year and in an effort to maintain an end-of-May end to the season, "a 53rd week is added to the Broadway season every seven years," according to the Broadway League.

For the previous year, the 2010-11 season, which consisted of 53 weeks, figures totaled $1.08 billion in grosses and 12.53 million in attendance. For comparative purposes, for a 52-week 2010-11 season, grosses were $1.06 billion and attendance, 12.3 million.

”The variety of shows currently on Broadway succeeds in providing something for everyone, so we’re not surprised that this is the highest grossing season in our history,” commented Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, in a statement. “Great seats to a season that has entertained, inspired, and moved our audiences are easy to buy online, by phone, or in person at theatre box offices. Theatregoers can see a Broadway show any night of the week at various curtain times.” *

The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry.