Broadway Week: Paranormal Activity Holds Sellout Streak, Moulin Rouge Rebounds With Tveit Return
Broadway's 'Paranormal Activity' sold out the August Wilson Theatre for a second straight week, grossing $729,250 despite five heavily comped press previews. The Levi Holloway play, directed by Felix Barrett and based on the film franchise, opened that night. Meanwhile, 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' surged by over $1 million to a $2.196 million gross at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, boosted by the return of original cast member Aaron Tveit.
The supernatural thriller's strong showing at the box office comes despite five performances being press previews with heavily discounted tickets, indicating genuine audience demand beyond industry attendance. The production, which adapts the popular film series for the stage, has maintained full capacity at the August Wilson Theatre since previews began in mid-August, with its official opening occurring that same evening.
Across the district, Moulin Rouge! The Musical experienced a dramatic financial turnaround. The return of Aaron Tveit, who originated his role in the production, coincided with a weekly gross increase exceeding one million dollars, positioning the show as the highest earner on Broadway for that period. The jump represents a significant recovery from the previous week's figures.
The box office results could signal shifting audience preferences, with established film properties drawing crowds while beloved stage originals retain loyalty through familiar performers. This may influence how producers approach casting announcements and IP adaptations, potentially affecting ticket pricing strategies and marketing focus. The success of both productions