There was an expected lull in box-office activity this week following the Christmas-New Year's bonanza of last week, when many shows played nine-performance schedules and raked in bucks aplenty.

Overall box-office take among the 30 Broadway shows was $31,143,670, more than $7 million less than the previous week, but a few million more than the week before that, and nearly $7 million more than this week last season. Seven productions played to capacity, and five more came very close.

Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark performed to houses that were 96% full during its final week on Broadway; the musical closed Jan. 4. It met an impressive 99% of its potential box-office collection for the period, with the average paid admission coming in at $119.70.

Also closing in fine fashion were the revivals of Annie (nearly full capacity and 112% of box office), 700 Sundays (96% capacity and 120% in ticket sales) and Betrayal (full houses and 108% in till take). First Date, meanwhile, filled 87% of its seats during its last days at the Longacre.

Beginning previews this week was John Patrick Shanley's new play Outside Mullingar at the Friedman. Over four previews, it faced auditoriums that were 80% occupied. It officially opens Jan. 16.