The Broadway phenomenon, Chicago, is back with a bang, and it's all thanks to a certain 'Mormon Wives' star! Whitney Leavitt's star power is shining bright on the Great White Way.
Chicago, the iconic musical revival, has been a staple on Broadway for nearly three decades, and its producers, Barry and Fran Weissler, have a clever trick up their sleeves to keep the show fresh and audiences enthralled. Enter Whitney Leavitt, a former Dancing With The Stars contestant and now the latest celebrity to grace the stage as Roxie Hart.
Leavitt's presence has been a game-changer, with the show raking in an impressive $1.4 million last week, its biggest take since the lucrative holiday season of 2023. But here's where it gets interesting: the week ending February 15th was a holiday week itself, with Presidents Day weekend and Broadway Week promotions in full swing. Yet, even with these factors, Chicago's success outshone the Christmas and New Year's holidays, with an attendance of 8,565, filling the Ambassador Theatre to 99% capacity.
Leavitt's impact is undeniable, with the gross for the week almost doubling that of other non-holiday weeks this year. But is it just the star power, or is there something more to this success story? Let's delve deeper.
The producers' strategy of celebrity stunt-casting has been a long-standing practice, with a diverse range of celebrities gracing the Chicago stage over the years. From Ariana Madix to Pamela Anderson, Brandy to Christie Brinkley, and NeNe Leakes, the list goes on. However, Leavitt's performance has proven to be a particularly strong draw, attracting audiences and boosting ticket sales.
And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the celebrities. Chicago's enduring appeal lies in its timeless story, captivating music, and the talent of its entire cast and crew. Leavitt's presence adds a fresh layer of excitement, but it's the overall production that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Other Broadway shows also benefited from the strong holiday week, with most productions seeing increased box office figures. Aladdin, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Great Gatsby, The Lion King, and Wicked all experienced significant gains, with some shows bouncing back by more than $400,000.
The top earners for the week were Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, and Chess, each grossing over $1.5 million. Even in its final week of performance, Marjorie Prime saw a boost, filling 95% of seats at the Hayes.
In total, the 27 Broadway productions grossed an impressive $33.6 million for the week ending February 15th, an 11.3% increase over the previous week and a 19% jump compared to the same period last year. Attendance held steady, with about 247,000 people attending shows during the week.
As for the average ticket price, it soared to $136.10, a substantial $18.59 increase from the previous week. And let's not forget Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which was filming for a future release and didn't have regular public performances last week.
So far this season, Broadway has grossed over $1.39 billion, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. Total attendance has also seen a 3% rise, with over 10.4 million people enjoying the shows.
These figures, courtesy of The Broadway League, showcase the resilience and popularity of Broadway, even in the face of changing trends and a competitive entertainment landscape. But what do you think? Is celebrity casting a clever strategy, or does it take away from the art of theatre? Should producers focus more on the talent or the star power? Let's spark a discussion in the comments and share our thoughts on this controversial yet fascinating aspect of Broadway!
