'Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway' Breaks Another Sales Record

NEW YORK – After opening last week to the best reviews to date of the current Broadway season, Hugh Jackman has set a new house record for the second time at the Broadhurst Theatre.

Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway marks the actor’s return to song and dance after winning a Tony in 2004 for The Boy From Oz. For the week ending Nov. 13, the show grossed a hefty $1,247,650. That result is particularly impressive given that the week contained three heavily-comped press performances plus the invite-stacked opening night.

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High demand has pushed up ticket prices for the show, which is produced by Robert Fox and the Shubert Organization and has Jackman backed by an 18-piece orchestra and six singer-dancers. Front orchestra seats are now going for $176.50, with premium-priced tickets ranging from $251.50 to $351.50. The show’s grosses indicate a high volume of premiums being sold.

Jackman’s show scored an A rating on Stagegrade.com, the Web site that aggregates theater reviews for major New York productions. The most recent Broadway shows to land an A were last season’s Tony winners, The Book of Mormon and War Horse.

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However, predictions for Jackman to pick up a second Tony are moot unless the awards nominating committee votes for special consideration. Since the elimination of the Special Event Tony, no category exists for shows like Jackman’s, which doesn’t fit the standard definition of musical or play.

The limited ten-week engagement is scheduled through Jan. 1. Despite its booming box office, a significant extension appears unlikely given that Jackman is due to start shooting Tom Hooper’s screen version of Les Miserables for Universal early next year, starring opposite Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

Previous high earners to top the $1 million mark in a single week at the Broadhurst have included Billy Crystal’s solo show 700 Sundays in 2005, Jude Law in Hamlet in 2009, and Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice in January of this year.