Industry NewsBroadway Ends 2018–2019 With Highest Gross and Attendance in Recorded HistoryAmong the heavy hitters contributing to the new record is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which is now the first Broadway play to gross over $100 million in a single year.
By
Ryan McPhee
May 28, 2019
Cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildMatthew Murphy
The Broadway League has revealed that in the 2018–2019 season (May 28, 2018–May 26, 2019), the Main Stem welcomed more theatregoers than ever—and made more in the process.
With a combined 1,737 playing weeks, Broadway productions grossed a total of $1.83 billion, beating last year’s record of $1.7 billion by 7.8 percent. Attendance reached 14.77 million, up nearly one million despite 53 weeks counted in last season (as opposed to the usual 52).
Among the shows bringing in significant figures were usual suspects such as Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King, as well as buzzy new arrivals like Hadestown, Ain’t too Proud, and Network. Last year’s Best Play Tony winner, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, made $105,057,544, becoming the first non-musical play to gross over $100 million in a single Broadway season.
“This substantial growth in attendance clearly reflects the large variety of offerings including long running shows, new hit productions and stories relevant to our society today,” said Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin. “This, coupled with the fact that over 50 percent of tickets are priced below $101, the industry is achieving its goal of being more accessible to everyone.”
