Broadway box office: Billy Crystal's 860 opens strongly as new shows start previews
Broadway grosses for the week ending 25 October 2026 were led by Hamilton and Other Desert Cities, while Billy Crystal's solo show 860 sold above capacity in its opening week and extended to February 14, 2027.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Hamilton was Broadway's highest-grossing show for the week ending October 25, 2026, at about $2.5 million, followed by Other Desert Cities at about $2.3 million. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Hamilton, with original cast member Christopher Jackson back on stage, remained the highest grossing show last week bringing in $2.5 million, followed by Other Desert Cities, with $2.3 million.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “grossing $2,262,442 for the week ending October 25, second only to Hamilton’s $2,524,951.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ($1,990,388), The Lion King ($1,869,464) and MJ ($1,736,241) completed the top five. DeadlineN “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ($1,990,388), The Lion King ($1,869,464) and MJ ($1,736,241).” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was the third highest grossing with $1.99 million, The Lion King with $1.9 million and MJ with $1.7 million.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2Other Desert Cities, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney, had Broadway's highest average ticket price, about $290, and played to full capacity. The Hollywood Reporter says it opened October 18 to mixed reviews, while Deadline calls it rapturously reviewed. The Hollywood ReporterLC “played to 100 percent capacity, after opening Oct. 18 and receiving mixed reviews.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “Especially impressive was the rapturously reviewed Other Desert Cities”“Other Desert Cities ($290.35); Hamilton ($235.58); and Oh, Mary! ($213.98).” Read at Deadline ↗
Mixed · 2Billy Crystal's solo show 860, which opened October 21 at the Imperial, grossed $1,212,055 at about 107–108% of capacity. Both outlets attribute the modest dollar figure to comped opening-night tickets, and say the show has been extended to February 14, 2027. DeadlineN “860 grossed $1,212,055 in its opening week at the Imperial, a slight downturn in the dollar number only because of press- and opening-night comps.” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “Billy Crystal’s solo show 860 opened on Oct. 21 to largely positive reviews, with capacity for the seven performances growing to more than 107 percent.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2Two shows began previews: Downstate, produced by Scott Rudin, played six previews at the Booth to 95% capacity and grossed $264,437 at an average ticket price of $61.64, the lowest on Broadway. It opens November 15. The Hollywood Reporter says this suggests deep discounts and notes a delayed first preview. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The play, which opens Nov. 15, brought in just $264,437 with an average ticket price of $61.64, suggesting some deep discounts.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “Lowest average ticket price went to Downstate at $61.64.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2The revival of The Fantasticks, from nonprofit Second Stage, filled the Helen Hayes Theater for four previews and grossed $254,610. It opens November 16. DeadlineN “filling the venue for four previews and grossing $254,610. Opening night is November 16.” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “100 percent capacity at the Helen Hayes Theater” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Mixed · 2The new musical Wanted played eight performances at the James Earl Jones Theatre at 93% capacity and grossed $624,088. The Hollywood Reporter notes a slight dip from the prior week and discounted preview pricing; Deadline gives an opening night of November 8. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The show brought in $624,088 across the eight performances, as it continues to implement discounted preview pricing.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “Opening night is November 8.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2A Few Good Men, the Aaron Sorkin revival starring Bradley Whitford and Tom Blyth at Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont, grossed $1,371,447 in previews and opens October 29. Deadline also reports that The Imaginary Invalid, starring Bill Irwin, opened to about 82% capacity and a $419,673 gross. DeadlineN “grossed $1,371,447. Opening night is this Thursday, October 29.”“The Imaginary Invalid starring Bill Irwin, filling about 82% of seats at the non-prof Haimes for a gross of $419,673.” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “A Few Good Men, starring Bradley Whitford and Tom Blyth, is next up to open, on Oct. 29.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 1Across all 32 productions, Broadway grossed $33,966,016 for the week, about even with the previous week but down about 8% year on year. Attendance was 262,928, up 1% week on week and down 5% year on year. Season-to-date grosses are $696,438,425, down about 8%, with attendance of 5,677,469, down 3%. Deadline credits the figures to the Broadway League. DeadlineN “the 32 productions grossed a total $33,966,016 for the week ending October 25, about even with the previous week but down about 8% from last year at this time.”“Broadway has grossed $696,438,425 season-to-date, down about 8% from last year at this time, with total attendance of 5,677,469 down 3% year-to-year.” Read at Deadline ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- A concise weekly roundup led by 860's opening and new preview starts, with an eye on discounting.
- Emphasis
- Discounted pricing for Downstate and Wanted; star draw of Other Desert Cities.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the industry-wide totals, year-on-year declines and the list of sell-outs.
- Charged language
- “deep discounts”“starry draw”
- For example
-
“The play, which opens Nov. 15, brought in just $264,437 with an average ticket price of $61.64, suggesting some deep discounts.” — The Hollywood Reporter
“'Other Desert Cities' with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney is still proving a starry draw.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A comprehensive box-office report presenting a brisk autumn with star-led sell-outs.
- Emphasis
- Exact grosses, sell-outs, average prices, and season totals compared with last year.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention discounted preview pricing for Wanted or Downstate's delayed first preview.
- Charged language
- “rapturously reviewed”“brisk”
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Hamilton led the week's grosses at about $2.5 million, with Other Desert Cities second at about $2.3 million.
- 860 opened October 21 and was extended to February 14.
- Downstate and The Fantasticks began previews; Downstate had the lowest average ticket price, $61.64.
- A Few Good Men opens October 29.
Where accounts differ
-
Critical reception of Other Desert Cities
- Left
- The Hollywood Reporter says it received mixed reviews.
- Centre
- Deadline calls it rapturously reviewed.
Left1 article
-
Neutral Short roundup highlighting 860's strong opening and signs of discounting in new previews.
Centre1 article
-
Broadway’s ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘Other Desert Cities’, ‘860’ Fill Seats With Brisk Autumn Box Office
Mixed Upbeat report on star-driven sell-outs, tempered by year-on-year declines in totals.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 19:31 First The Hollywood ReporterLC Broadway Box Office: Billy Crystal’s ‘860’ Sees Strong Opening, As ‘Downstate’ and More Start Previews
- 27 Oct 19:40 +9m DeadlineN Broadway’s ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘Other Desert Cities’, ‘860’ Fill Seats With Brisk Autumn Box Office
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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