Jackman boosts Broadway

Posted: Sat., Nov. 5, 2011, 4:00am PTHugh Jackman was one of the lone bright spots at the Broadway box office in Week 22 (Oct. 24-30), helping to counter a slowdown at nearly every other show on the boards.

Concert outing "Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway" ($1,210,974) played its first eight previews, kicking things off by breaking the house record at the Broadhurst Theater set last season by "The Merchant of Venice."

Otherwise, sales generally slackened due to Halloween; moreover, tourists seem less likely to visit New York (and Broadway), with year-end holiday vacations looming.

Attendance fell slightly to 229,544 or 82.9%, but remains ahead of last year's 79.1%.

The 20 musicals grossed $17,380,235 for 81.9% of the Broadway total, with attendance of 182,313 and an average paid admission of $95.33.

The eight plays grossed $3,848,623 for 18.1% of the Broadway total, with attendance of 47,231 and an average paid admission of $81.49. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com