Broadway’s box office experienced a surge this week as the musical Chess generated nearly $1.9 million during its seven preview performances. This impressive figure positions the Cold War-themed musical, featuring stars like Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher, among the top earners in the industry. With a remarkable occupancy rate approaching 100 percent at the Imperial Theatre, Chess grossed $1.86 million, narrowly trailing behind the enduring success of The Lion King.
Originally premiering in 1988, Chess is making a notable comeback, with anticipation mounting as it prepares for its official opening on November 16, 2023. Although reviews are pending, the preliminary ticket sales suggest a promising turnaround for a show that was previously deemed a flop. Interestingly, the average ticket price has decreased to $183.94, down from $208.02 during its initial previews.
‘Just In Time’ Shines with Record Earnings
In addition to Chess‘s success, the musical Just In Time, which stars Jonathan Groff as singer Bobby Darin, achieved its highest grossing week to date. The show accumulated $1.38 million over eight performances, playing to an impressive 103 percent capacity at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The average ticket price for Just In Time increased to $241.22, reflecting strong audience interest since its opening on April 23, 2025.
Broadway’s highest weekly grossing show remains Hamilton, which generated $3.4 million last week, followed closely by Wicked with $2 million and The Lion King with $1.87 million. The performance of these established favorites continues to dominate the box office, showcasing the competitive nature of Broadway.
New Entrants and Upcoming Openings
Among the new productions, The Queen of Versailles, featuring Kristin Chenoweth, has seen its earnings rise to $962,332, up from just under $900,000 the previous week. This increase is attributed to a rise in performances from six to seven, although capacity slightly dipped from 91 percent to 89 percent. The show is set to officially open on November 9, 2023.
Another new play, Liberation, which explores themes surrounding a feminist group in the 1970s, opened at the James Earl Jones Theatre. It brought in just under $246,000 last week, achieving 68 percent capacity, but will need to improve its performance figures following its opening.
Lastly, Little Bear Ridge Road, starring Laurie Metcalf and produced by Scott Rudin, is scheduled to open on Thursday at the Golden Theatre. The production is currently performing better with an 87 percent capacity and gross earnings of $427,910 last week.
As Broadway continues to evolve with new shows and revivals, the latest box office figures reflect a vibrant landscape of theatrical performances, drawing audiences eager for both fresh stories and beloved classics.
