In December 2023, “Elf the Musical” made a triumphant return to Broadway, enchanting audiences and breaking records along the way. This beloved production grossed an impressive $2,230,419 over eight performances in the week ending December 22, making history at the Marquis Theatre. The show’s previous week’s earnings of $2,033,784 revealed a remarkable upward trend, ultimately achieving 98% of its capacity during this festive season. Starring Grey Hanson, a Tony nominee for his role in “Mean Girls,” as Buddy the Elf, and Sean Astin as Santa, the musical has asserted itself as a cherished staple of the festive theater calendar.
Despite “Elf the Musical” grabbing headlines, it was still part of a larger theatrical landscape featuring several other heavyweights of Broadway. The show landed in fourth place in overall gross for the week, trailing behind powerhouse productions like “Wicked,” which brought in a staggering $3,024,095, “The Lion King” at $2,897,476, and “Hamilton,” which accumulated $2,491,550. Notably, all these productions also recorded increases in their weekly earnings, highlighting that Broadway is not only thriving overall but also continually reinvigorating itself with consistent audience interest.
“Elf the Musical” originally debuted on Broadway during the 2010-2011 season and has since become a holiday fixture. Created by the talented team of Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin for the book, alongside catchy tunes by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, the show draws its inspiration from the iconic 2003 film featuring Will Ferrell, directed by Jon Favreau. Following its initial opening, the show returned for a holiday season run in 2012-2013, adopting a revised book. Its recent success in the West End, where it recorded outstanding holiday runs in both 2022 and 2023, solidifies its reputation as a perennial favorite.
Remarkably, “Elf the Musical” managed to surpass the previous house record set by “Beetlejuice,” which earned $2,146,200 the week ending January 8, 2023. Such an accomplishment underscores the show’s widespread appeal and ability to captivate both long-time fans and new attendees. Running through January 5, the musical promises to provide a necessary dose of holiday cheer during the bustling season.
The broader Broadway landscape during this festive week testified to the culture’s resilience and appeal. Notable performances included the debut of “All In: A Comedy About Love,” based on Simon Rich’s short stories, which saw a solid opening gross of $1,327,148 at the Hudson Theatre. The productions of “Chicago,” “Hadestown,” “Romeo & Juliet,” and “Suffs” were among the ten sold-out shows of the week, showcasing the rich variety of performances available to audiences.
In contrast, productions like “Gypsy,” featuring the formidable Audra McDonald as Mama Rose, faced slight declines in ticket sales. While it grossed $1,567,014 through its three previews and five performances, it still demonstrates the competitive nature of box office performance on Broadway, where every night presents a unique challenge.
Overall, the calculations from the Broadway League revealed that the 34 productions active last week grossed a combined total of $44,466,554, marking a remarkable increase of more than 32% from the previous year. The total attendance hit 302,828, while average ticket prices rose modestly to $146.84—a clear indicator that Broadway is not just recovering but is flourishing amid economic challenges.
As the season unfolds, Broadway continues to draw in local theater enthusiasts and tourists alike, earning a cumulative total gross of $1,036,648,946, indicating a rise of over 15% when compared to the same time last year. These figures showcase the robust health of New York’s theater community and point towards a promising future filled with creativity and innovation. For theater lovers, this December presents a rich tapestry of entertainment, reinforcing that the joy of Broadway is very much alive and well.
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