Art Emerges as Broadway’s Next Star-Driven Hit, Plus Last Week’s Grosses

by blackbroadway
- September 10, 2025

Broadway audiences’ appetite for star-driven plays shows no signs of fading. In its first full week of performances, the new revival of Art became Broadway’s fifth highest-grossing production—an achievement once rare for a non-musical. Recent seasons have seen the trend pick up momentum, with box office bonanzas for Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, Glengarry Glen Ross with Kieran Culkin and Bob Odenkirk, and Goodnight, and Good Luck featuring George Clooney. Art now looks poised to join that list, bringing in $1.25 million at the relatively intimate Music Box Theatre.

Another standout last week was John Proctor Is the Villain, which closed at the Booth Theatre September 7. Demand for a final look at Kimberly Bellflower’s play sent grosses soaring to $1.05 million—its second-highest total of the run and more than $200,000 above the previous week. The only week to beat that number was the July 13 departure of original star Sadie Sink.

Even with those successes, overall grosses slipped nearly 18% to $25.14 million across 27 shows. The dip came as Broadway lost one production (Purpose, the Best Play winner, closed) and moved past Labor Day into the post-summer lull. Attendance fell nearly 10%, while average ticket price slid to $116.86—still strong, but lower than recent highs.

The top of the box office remained familiar territory. Hamilton ($2.15 million) and Wicked ($2 million) were both sell-outs, followed by Mamma Mia! ($1.5 million), The Lion King ($1.4 million), and Art.

To counter the seasonal slowdown, Broadway Week launched September 8 with two-for-one ticket offers across most productions—meaning New Yorkers and visitors alike can now catch some of the season’s hottest shows at bargain prices.

The $1 Million Club (weekly grosses):