A recent report says that Broadway Box Office numbers for the past Broadway season seemed to close the numbers that pre-pandemic figures have generated, indicating that Broadway is, again, back and bustling like it was before - or getting back to that degree.
This came on the heels of the 2023 Tony Awards, the biggest promotional tool for many Broadway productions to reel in more theatergoers to upkeep their shows, getting confirmation from the Writers Guild of America that they wouldn't be picketing outside during the televised ceremony.
'Broadway is Back' Box Office Report
2022-2023
According to a report from the Broadway League, the 2022-2023 Broadway season starting from May 23, 2022, and May 21, 2023, theatres in the region welcomed almost 12.3 million people or 12,283,399 million theatergoers, corresponding to nearly $1.6 billion in box office sales or exactly $1,577,586,897. Notably, this is the first entire season since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns had Broadway at its knees as productions closed left and right.
2018-2019
Per Playbill, the numbers are fairly near to the pre-pandemic numbers that the Broadway League has recorded. The 2018-2019 season saw 14.7 million people and $1.8 billion grosses - which was a 16.83% decline in attendance and 13.76% in the box office. The publication noted that these drops were "surprisingly small" given the massive effect of the pandemic shutdowns on the industry.
2021-2022
The figures were also a huge increase from the previous season's figures, which saw numbers not even reaching a billion dollars and an underwhelming attendance of seven million people.
"Broadway is making a strong rebound as audiences are returning to New York City to experience extraordinary live theatre," Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement. "Broadway continues to present robust and diverse productions ranging from beloved classics to groundbreaking debuts, attracting an array of audiences who are keeping the Theatre District bustling with excitement."
READ ALSO: 2023 Tony Awards Nominations Snubs: 'Bad Cinderella,' Phillipa Soo, '1776,' More!
Broadway is Back: 2023 Tony Awards
The news came weeks after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) confirmed that they would not be picketing outside the United Palace in New York City on June 11, 2023.
Initially, the Tony Awards Managing Committee could not strike a deal with the embattled union on getting a clearance on having the ceremony televised without them crashing the arrivals.
Many invitees to the event have vowed not to cross the picket line when the time actually comes.
READ ALSO: WGA NOT Protesting At the Tony Awards As It Returns to TV: Deal Settled
