Broadway's theatrical landscape experienced significant shifts as two notable productions concluded their runs. The iconic musical 'Mamma Mia!' bade farewell after an extensive showing, culminating in a robust final week performance. Concurrently, the critically acclaimed play 'Liberation' also ended its limited engagement on a high note, achieving its highest revenue figures. This period signaled a positive rebound for the Broadway circuit, with a notable increase in both overall revenue and audience attendance following earlier interruptions.
The long-running musical 'Mamma Mia!' wrapped up its Broadway tenure on February 1st, having initially premiered at the Winter Garden Theatre on August 14th. Despite its considerable run, the production demonstrated enduring popularity, especially in its concluding week. The final week's performance generated an impressive $1.8 million, a figure that, while not reaching peak holiday season totals, remained one of its strongest, with audience capacity at a near-full 99 percent.
Parallel to 'Mamma Mia!', the play 'Liberation' also concluded its run on the same Sunday. Staged at the James Earl Jones Theatre, this production, which delves into themes of second-wave feminism through the lens of playwright Bess Wohl's mother's experiences, garnered its highest weekly gross at its close. It attracted $734,237 and boasted a 94 percent capacity. Although 'Liberation' consistently received favorable reviews from critics, it was only in its final month that it began to draw significant audience numbers, ultimately ending its limited engagement that commenced on October 28th.
In the broader context of Broadway's financial performance, the week saw a general uplift across most productions. Following a period of disruptions caused by a winter storm, overall box office receipts climbed by six percent compared to the preceding week, and attendance figures rose by eight percent. This indicates a strong recovery and a renewed enthusiasm among theatergoers.
Among the top-grossing shows, 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' maintained its leading position, pulling in $2.4 million. It was closely followed by 'Hamilton' with $1.9 million, 'Mamma Mia!' with its final week's $1.8 million, 'Wicked' with $1.6 million, and 'The Lion King' with $1.5 million. Additionally, 'Buena Vista Social Club', which debuted in March 2025, continued its solid performance, securing nearly $900,000 last week and attracting audiences at 94 percent capacity. This production is anticipated to receive a further boost in popularity following its recent Grammy Award win for best musical theater album.
The conclusion of these two prominent shows, particularly the enduring success of 'Mamma Mia!' and the late surge of 'Liberation', highlights the dynamic nature of Broadway's appeal. The overall resurgence in box office numbers post-storm reflects the resilience and continued vibrancy of New York's theatrical scene, with both long-running hits and newer productions contributing to a lively and financially healthy period for the industry.