Robert Downey Jr.’s McNeal Scores Big with Nearly $1 Million in First Week

The Broadway scene is heating up with A-list talent, and early indicators suggest that this star-studded strategy is paying off handsomely. Last week, McNeal, the new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar and starring Robert Downey Jr., made an impressive debut at Lincoln Center Theater. Despite only performing five previews—three fewer than a typical Broadway week—the production grossed an impressive $954,624. With Downey Jr., an Academy Award-winning actor known for his role in Oppenheimer, at the helm, McNeal has quickly become one of the most talked-about shows of the season.

The Vivian Beaumont Theater, with a capacity of 1,095 seats, may not be Broadway’s largest venue, but McNeal’s average ticket price of $174.36 and a top ticket price of $349 are helping it perform exceptionally well despite its relatively small size. As the show enters its first full week of seven performances, there’s potential for even greater box-office numbers if ticket sales continue on this trajectory.

This success story could set the stage for other star-driven productions slated for the upcoming Broadway season. Notably, the much-anticipated revival of Gypsy, starring Audra McDonald, and Othello, featuring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, are poised to follow in McNeal’s footsteps. If these shows can leverage their star power as effectively, Broadway may see a significant financial boost this spring.

Meanwhile, other Broadway productions are also seeing gains. Cabaret experienced a six-figure increase in ticket sales, likely driven by audiences eager to catch Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin’s Tony-nominated performances before their final curtain call on September 14. The surge in box office revenue pushed Cabaret into the third spot among the highest-grossing Broadway shows last week, trailing only the perennial favorites Wicked and The Lion King. The top five was rounded out by Hamilton and Hell’s Kitchen.

Overall, Broadway saw a 7% increase in total gross compared to the previous week, reaching $27,262,406. This figure suggests that the current season is outperforming the previous one by over 7%, with attendance up nearly 5%. More than 94% of seats were filled last week, and while the average ticket price stood at $116.19, it’s expected to rise as the impact of Broadway Week’s two-for-one promotion fades.

Eleven of the 28 currently running productions joined the “Million Dollar Club,” grossing over $1 million at the box office. The lineup includes Wicked, The Lion King, Cabaret, Hamilton, Hell’s Kitchen, MJ The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Outsiders, Aladdin, The Great Gatsby, and Oh, Mary!

In terms of audience capacity, 21 shows filled over 90% of their seats for the week, including McNeal and Oh, Mary!, both achieving a full 100% attendance. This high occupancy trend underscores the robust demand for Broadway tickets, even during a period traditionally slower due to the start of the school year.

With a strong start from McNeal and other star-studded productions on the horizon, Broadway appears to be on track for a vibrant and lucrative season. Producers and audiences alike will be watching closely as these shows continue to draw crowds and drive box-office success.

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