The Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street demonstrated exceptionally strong financial performance, achieving significant box office gross figures and, at one point, becoming the highest-grossing production on Broadway.
Impressive Box Office Achievements
The Broadway run of Sweeney Todd concluded with remarkable financial results, particularly in its final weeks. The production managed to secure a substantial box office take of $2.1 million in one notable period. This figure, while slightly below its all-run high of $2.26 million recorded during the peak Christmas and New Year's week, nevertheless marked a very strong finish for the show.
This robust financial showing was further highlighted by the fact that the Sweeney Todd revival became the highest-grossing production on Broadway for the first time during a significant period of its run. Such high gross revenue indicates substantial audience demand and significant success in ticket sales within the competitive Broadway landscape.
Key Box Office Figures
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Box Office Take | $2.1 million | Indicating a strong conclusion to its run. |
| All-Run High Gross | $2.26 million | Achieved during the lucrative Christmas and New Year's period. |
| Broadway Ranking Highlight | Highest-Grossing Production | The first time the revival reached this top position on Broadway. |
Understanding Broadway Financial Success
While these box office figures clearly illustrate Sweeney Todd's ability to attract large audiences and generate considerable revenue, it's important to understand the nuances of a Broadway show's financial success. High gross revenue is a strong indicator of commercial viability and popularity, but "making money" in the context of profitability involves more than just ticket sales.
Factors contributing to a show's overall financial outcome include:
- Initial Investment: The substantial costs associated with developing and staging a new production, including sets, costumes, and pre-production marketing.
- Weekly Running Costs: Ongoing expenses such as cast and crew salaries, theater rental, utilities, and marketing efforts throughout the run.
- Recoupment: The point at which the show's cumulative revenue has covered all its initial investments and ongoing running costs, after which it begins to make a profit.
The provided box office figures underscore Sweeney Todd's impressive commercial appeal and its success in generating significant revenue during its Broadway tenure.
