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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Broadway Lights Up Again with Near-Full Capacity as Pandemic Woes Fade

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By: Jordan Baker

Broadway is back in full force, signaling a resilient comeback as 40 out of 41 venues will be hosting performances this November—the first time this many theaters have been active since 2018. The only stage staying dark, the Nederlander Theatre on West 41st Street, will soon be buzzing too, welcoming back “Wicked” star Idina Menzel in Redwood this January, the New York Post reports.

Jimmy Nederlander, president of the Nederlander Organization, expressed excitement over Broadway’s return to near-full capacity. “Every one of these shows means work for actors, musicians, designers, stagehands, and so many others,” Nederlander stated. “It’s been a long road to bring this industry back, and we’re all working hard to keep this momentum going.”

Broadway’s rebound is not just in the number of active venues but also in box office performance. During the week ending October 24, Broadway saw an impressive 282,356 attendees, surpassing the 278,087 theatergoers from the same week in 2019, a peak year for the industry, according to the Broadway League. Box office revenue also hit a high, reaching $34.6 million compared to $33.5 million for the comparable week in 2019, the New York Post noted.

Fueling this success is the highly anticipated opening of Tammy Faye, a London hit about the legendary televangelist, with music by Elton John. Set to debut at the newly restored Palace Theater, now located at West 47th Street, the show is already generating buzz and is expected to draw substantial crowds.

Broadway’s resurgence is also aided by the return of tourists and business travelers. In 2023, approximately 62 million visitors came to New York City, close to the record numbers seen in 2019. This surge in visitors is crucial for Broadway, whose peak attendance was 17% higher in the 2018-2019 season compared to 2023-2024. However, attendance has been trending upward since June, marking an 8% increase over comparable months in 2023, according to the League.

Reflecting confidence in this upward trend, the Broadway League and the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds will hold their annual Broadway Salutes event at Sardi’s, the first since 2019. This celebration underscores the industry’s optimism about continued growth, an essential lifeline for the many businesses in Times Square and the Theater District that depend on theatergoers.

Restaurants in the area are also seeing the benefits. Bond 45, an Italian restaurant in the Edison Hotel on West 46th Street, has been thrilled to witness Broadway’s recovery. According to Ben Grossman, Chief Strategy Officer at Fireman Hospitality Group, which owns Bond 45, the return of Broadway has revitalized their business. “Two of the four theaters on West 46th Street have been closed for most of the last five years,” Grossman told the New York Post. “But with Death Becomes Her opening at the Lunt-Fontanne and Elf opening at the Marquis on November 9, it’s the first time all theaters will be open since 2020.”

Even restaurants slightly removed from the immediate Theater District, like Gallagher’s Steakhouse on West 52nd Street, are experiencing an uptick in diners. Dean Poll, the owner of Gallagher’s, said that shows like MJ at the Neil Simon Theatre are driving more patrons to his restaurant. “Shows like this can generate 35 additional covers per night, which adds up to nearly 250 more customers each week,” Poll explained to the New York Post.

Broadway’s comeback is not only a boon for the theater industry but also for the many local businesses.

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