A mixed year for Broadway

Still feeling the effects of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and an uncertain economy, Broadway saw fewer people going to the theater in 2003, although box office grosses were up.

The projected total gross for 2003 was expected to reach $730 million, a 3.2% climb from $707 million in 2002 and $664 million the year before, according to preliminary figures released Monday by the League of American Theatres and Producers.

No doubt that figure was helped by the $100 top ticket price for many musicals and the $80 or more price tag for the best seats at most plays. Yet the number of theatergoers seeing a Broadway show was expected to drop to 11.2 million, down from 11.41 million in 2002 and off from a record 12.1 million in 2000.

From Associated Press