Broadway Journal

JUDGE REJECTS PLEA TO HALT ATG-JUJAMCYN COCKTAIL COUP

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A New York judge declined to intervene in a battle for Jujamcyn Theaters’ lucrative concessions business — a win for Ambassador Theatre Group after acquiring control of the Broadway landlord.

Sweet Hospitality Group has handled drink and snack sales for Jujamcyn’s five theaters since 2010. Last month, Sweet Hospitality filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court to prevent Jujamcyn under its new regime from terminating the concessions contract. The complaint provides a window into Broadway concessions and the deal that Jujamcyn and the multinational landlord and producer Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) announced in February “to combine operations.”Continue Reading

‘HARRY POTTER’ & THE CURSED BOX OFFICE YARDSTICK

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The last week of July 2019 was business as usual for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child  on Broadway. Sales rose less than 2 percent to $1.4 million, according to data from the Broadway League, the trade association of producers and theater owners.

But there was a huge increase in a closely watched measure in those seven days. Harry Potter ‘s sales jumped from 84 percent of its “gross potential” to 101 percent, according to the same posting. What changed was the basis for comparison.  After four months of claiming a weekly gross potential of $1.7 million, the production slashed the figure to $1.4 million.

Like average ticket prices, sales relative to gross potential is an important signifier of a show’s box office strength. But gross potential, which the League posts weekly with other box office figures, loses value as a benchmark of success when it fluctuates along with ticket prices.Continue Reading

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