The League of American Theatres and Producers report that for the week ending Dec. 31, 2006, Broadway shows grossed more than any other week in history. According to the League, the weekly gross was a whopping $29.1 million, with a weekly attendance of 314,310 and 94.4 percent audience capacity. For the same period last year, the weekly gross was $25.2 million with a weekly attendance of 283,923 and 93.9 percent audience capacity.

The record-breaking numbers can be attributed to several factors: The Christmas and New Year holidays brought tourists out in full force, and top ticket prices currently reach past $100. In order to secure tickets during the prime theatregoing time, some theatregoers opted to purchase "premium" seats that can cost $250 or more, boosting the gross.

Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., said in a statement, "We are delighted to announce this record breaking week on Broadway. It is important, however, to highlight that although grosses and attendance numbers continue to rise steadily, so have the costs of mounting and running shows, enabling only a few productions shows to recognize profits. We continue to focus our efforts on controlling those costs we can control, to create a healthy producing environment and to allow even more productions to thrive."