Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NEW YORK, Jun 1, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Broadway is celebrating its biggest season ever thanks to Hollywood star Julia Roberts and the hit musical, "Jersey Boys," it was reported Thursday.
The 2005-06 season that ended Sunday saw a record 12 million tickets sold -- a 4.1 percent increase over the previous season and the largest ever on the Great White Way, the New York Post reported.
Box-office grosses were up 12 percent at $861.6 million, the newspaper said -- partly due to higher ticket prices. Orchestra seats were selling at $111 while premium tickets went from $250 on up.
Even though critics turned their thumbs down at Roberts' stage debut, fans flocked to see her in the limited-run revival of Richard Greenberg's "Three Days of Rain." The super team of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick sold out "The Odd Couple" before the show even started, the newspaper noted.
"Jersey Boys," a musical based on Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, was a critical and financial hit, along with Harry Connick Jr.'s stint in "The Pajama Game" and the new musical, "The Drowsy Chaperone."
Popular older shows like "Spamalot," "Wicked," "The Lion King" and "Mamma Mia!" played to continuous packed houses as well.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
