BroadwayRadio – Broadway Grosses Report: March 25, 2026; Jojo to join ‘Chess’

Episode Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Matt Tamanini

Episode Overview

This episode of BroadwayRadio focuses on the weekly Broadway grosses for the week ending Sunday, March 22, 2026 (the 43rd week of the 2025-2026 season), analyzes box office trends, highlights new shows, and delivers breaking casting news regarding the musical "Chess." Host Matt Tamanini also spotlights recent and upcoming theater-related media releases.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Broadway Grosses and Attendance Overview

[00:31 – 03:58]

31 Broadway shows were running last week, with 3 new arrivals.
Total gross: $36,769,360—up over $4 million (12%) from the previous week.
Attendance: 272,806 people, a 7% weekly increase, but still 9% lower than the same week in 2025 due to two fewer shows running now vs. last year.
Average ticket price: $134.78, up 4% vs. the prior week, down 2% year-over-year.
Host attributes bump in attendance to the start of spring break season.

Quote – Matt:

"In total, they grossed $36,769,360, just a little bit over $4 million more than the previous week. That translates to a 12% increase at the box office."
(00:46)

Top-grossing shows (above $2 million):
1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – $2,640,156
2. Hamilton – just under $2 million
3. The Lion King – a little over $2 million
4. Wicked – $1.95 million
5. Just In Time – $1.87 million
Robust "million dollar club" with 17+ shows exceeding $1 million weekly gross.

Quote – Matt:

“Only three shows saw week-to-week declines last week. One of them was Chicago... but still came in at $836,000, almost $837,000, so that's still pretty good. The other two that saw week-to-week declines? Fighters and Chess, both of them still at $1.2 million. So they're doing just fine.”
(03:30)

2. New Shows: Performance and Analysis

[03:59 – 05:45]

Becky Shaw (Helen Hayes – Second Stage)

Grossed: $213,904 in 5 performances
Projected for a full week: $242,246.40
Venue context: Smallest Broadway theater (500+ seats); houses are mostly subscription-based.
Capacity: 96.59% in opening week.
Average ticket: $76.23 (lower due to subscriptions).

Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst)

Grossed: $612,084 for 4 performances, extrapolated to $1.2 million for a full week.
Played to 100% capacity.

The Fear of 13 (James Earl Jones)

Starred: Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson.
Grossed: $474,131 over 3 previews, which projects to $1.2 million over a standard week.
Notable as Broadway debut for Hollywood stars.

Quote – Matt:

"Next up, let's look at Cats, the Jellicle Ball. That did $612,084 over its four performances... capacity: 100%."
(05:01)

3. Attendance Trends and Show Capacity

[05:46 – 06:45]

Out of 31 shows, 28 played to at least 90% capacity.
Notable standouts at 100%: Ragtime, Every Brilliant Thing, Cats.
Some surpassed full capacity due to standing room:
- Dog Day Afternoon: above 100%
- Outsiders, Hamilton, Hadestown: about 101%
- Just in Time: 103.39% (highest)

Quote – Matt:

"Just in Time continues to lead the way at 103.39% again."
(06:27)

4. Season-to-Date Statistics

[06:46 – 07:05]

43 weeks into the season; total gross: $1,549,367,378 (up 7% from last year).
Season attendance: 11,645,418 (up 3%).

5. Looking Ahead: Previews, Competition, and Longevity

[07:06 – 07:45]

5-6 shows to begin previews next week—will push both number of running shows and total grosses higher.
Host reflects on how established and newer shows fare amid increasing competition.
Discussion of his upcoming theater trip (April 30–May 8), aiming for an average of two shows per day.

6. Notable Casting and Theater News

[07:46 – 09:07]

“Chess” – Major Casting Update

Lea Michele will depart her role of Florence Vassi on June 21.
Contrary to previous rumors about Sara Bareilles, the next Florence will be Joanna "JoJo" Levesque (known for pop hits and Broadway/musical credits).
- JoJo’s previous Broadway: Moulin Rouge, plus led out-of-town tryout for Working Girl.
JoJo joins Chess starting June 23, still opposite Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher.
Show is on sale through September 23 (its third extension).

Quote – Matt:

"We are getting another fairly well-known pop singer to take over, but it is one with musical theater roots—that's the multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and actor Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque.”
(08:04)

7. Streaming and Documentary Highlights

[09:08 – 10:08]

Merrily We Roll Along (Pro shot)

Will begin streaming on Netflix on April 4, 2026.

A Future on Stage (Back to the Future musical documentary)

Feature-length documentary now available on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, etc.
Includes interviews with the original film’s director (Robert Zemeckis), star (Michael J. Fox), Broadway cast (Roger Bart, Casey Likes, Jelani Remy, Nathaniel Hackman), and creative team.
Trailer available in show notes.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On average ticket prices and box office comparison:

"Thanks to inflation… difference between total attendance and average ticket price was not as stark between 2026 and 2025." (01:28)
On show stamina and box office competition:

"It's always exciting to see which ones catch on and to look at the shows that have been running for one season, two seasons, five seasons, ten seasons, and to see how they do with all of the added competition. Those are usually the indicators to see what has staying power..."
(07:21)
On upcoming personal theater marathon:

"If everything works out, I will see an average of two shows a day... I make up for it with one three-show day and then two shows every other day."
(07:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Introduction & Gross Overview | 00:31–01:45 | | Top Five & Million Dollar Club | 01:46–03:30 | | New Shows Breakdown | 03:59–05:45 | | Attendance & Capacity Analysis | 05:46–06:45 | | Season-to-Date Summary | 06:46–07:05 | | Looking Ahead: Previews, Competition | 07:06–07:45 | | "Chess" Casting News & Upcoming Media | 07:46–10:08 |

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a thorough box office analysis for Broadway in the third week of March 2026, highlights the arrival and early performance of three new shows, and offers major casting news as JoJo steps into the lead in "Chess." It also points listeners toward theater content hitting streaming platforms soon, reinforcing the show’s role as a vital roundup for Broadway fans and industry insiders.

BroadwayRadio – Broadway Grosses Report: March 25, 2026; Jojo to join ‘Chess’

Episode Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Matt Tamanini

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Broadway Grosses and Attendance Overview

[00:31 – 03:58]

31 Broadway shows were running last week, with 3 new arrivals.
Total gross: $36,769,360—up over $4 million (12%) from the previous week.
Attendance: 272,806 people, a 7% weekly increase, but still 9% lower than the same week in 2025 due to two fewer shows running now vs. last year.
Average ticket price: $134.78, up 4% vs. the prior week, down 2% year-over-year.
Host attributes bump in attendance to the start of spring break season.

Quote – Matt:

"In total, they grossed $36,769,360, just a little bit over $4 million more than the previous week. That translates to a 12% increase at the box office."
(00:46)

Top-grossing shows (above $2 million):
1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – $2,640,156
2. Hamilton – just under $2 million
3. The Lion King – a little over $2 million
4. Wicked – $1.95 million
5. Just In Time – $1.87 million
Robust "million dollar club" with 17+ shows exceeding $1 million weekly gross.

Quote – Matt:

“Only three shows saw week-to-week declines last week. One of them was Chicago... but still came in at $836,000, almost $837,000, so that's still pretty good. The other two that saw week-to-week declines? Fighters and Chess, both of them still at $1.2 million. So they're doing just fine.”
(03:30)

2. New Shows: Performance and Analysis

[03:59 – 05:45]

Becky Shaw (Helen Hayes – Second Stage)

Grossed: $213,904 in 5 performances
Projected for a full week: $242,246.40
Venue context: Smallest Broadway theater (500+ seats); houses are mostly subscription-based.
Capacity: 96.59% in opening week.
Average ticket: $76.23 (lower due to subscriptions).

Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst)

Grossed: $612,084 for 4 performances, extrapolated to $1.2 million for a full week.
Played to 100% capacity.

The Fear of 13 (James Earl Jones)

Starred: Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson.
Grossed: $474,131 over 3 previews, which projects to $1.2 million over a standard week.
Notable as Broadway debut for Hollywood stars.

Quote – Matt:

"Next up, let's look at Cats, the Jellicle Ball. That did $612,084 over its four performances... capacity: 100%."
(05:01)

3. Attendance Trends and Show Capacity

[05:46 – 06:45]

Out of 31 shows, 28 played to at least 90% capacity.
Notable standouts at 100%: Ragtime, Every Brilliant Thing, Cats.
Some surpassed full capacity due to standing room:
- Dog Day Afternoon: above 100%
- Outsiders, Hamilton, Hadestown: about 101%
- Just in Time: 103.39% (highest)

Quote – Matt:

"Just in Time continues to lead the way at 103.39% again."
(06:27)

4. Season-to-Date Statistics

[06:46 – 07:05]

43 weeks into the season; total gross: $1,549,367,378 (up 7% from last year).
Season attendance: 11,645,418 (up 3%).

5. Looking Ahead: Previews, Competition, and Longevity

[07:06 – 07:45]

5-6 shows to begin previews next week—will push both number of running shows and total grosses higher.
Host reflects on how established and newer shows fare amid increasing competition.
Discussion of his upcoming theater trip (April 30–May 8), aiming for an average of two shows per day.

6. Notable Casting and Theater News

[07:46 – 09:07]

“Chess” – Major Casting Update

Lea Michele will depart her role of Florence Vassi on June 21.
Contrary to previous rumors about Sara Bareilles, the next Florence will be Joanna "JoJo" Levesque (known for pop hits and Broadway/musical credits).
- JoJo’s previous Broadway: Moulin Rouge, plus led out-of-town tryout for Working Girl.
JoJo joins Chess starting June 23, still opposite Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher.
Show is on sale through September 23 (its third extension).

Quote – Matt:

"We are getting another fairly well-known pop singer to take over, but it is one with musical theater roots—that's the multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and actor Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque.”
(08:04)

7. Streaming and Documentary Highlights

[09:08 – 10:08]

Merrily We Roll Along (Pro shot)

Will begin streaming on Netflix on April 4, 2026.

A Future on Stage (Back to the Future musical documentary)

Feature-length documentary now available on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, etc.
Includes interviews with the original film’s director (Robert Zemeckis), star (Michael J. Fox), Broadway cast (Roger Bart, Casey Likes, Jelani Remy, Nathaniel Hackman), and creative team.
Trailer available in show notes.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On average ticket prices and box office comparison:

"Thanks to inflation… difference between total attendance and average ticket price was not as stark between 2026 and 2025." (01:28)
On show stamina and box office competition:

"It's always exciting to see which ones catch on and to look at the shows that have been running for one season, two seasons, five seasons, ten seasons, and to see how they do with all of the added competition. Those are usually the indicators to see what has staying power..."
(07:21)
On upcoming personal theater marathon:

"If everything works out, I will see an average of two shows a day... I make up for it with one three-show day and then two shows every other day."
(07:36)