'Wicked' tops 2011 sales

'Wicked' assigned the Rialto for your record eighth consecutive year. Broadway rang in more than a billion for your 2011 twelve several weeks, with "Wicked" once again proclaiming the title in the year's top grosser despite an episode of competish from "The Lion King."Despite the fact that 2010 chart was centered by extended-running accomplishments, two large-producing beginners -- "Spider-Guy: Turn Off the Dark" and "It of Mormon" -- show chance of longer runs.Broadway bookkeepers frequently become more alert to seasons -- the Tony-qualifications window which has a inclination to start and finished in the finish of April or early May -- rather than calendar years. But year-finish amounts could help bring the this past year into focus and clarify trends to monitor.The $1.08 billion total reps the cume within the 52-week period ending 12 ,. 25. (Next season will probably be one of the calendar's periodic 53-week seshes.) The 2011 tally expires by some $44 million inside the prior frame -- not surprising, given rising ticket prices and growing prominence of premium-ticket sales. Attendance, however, just shown an uptick -- by about 25,000 theatergoers to 12.13 million.A year ago saw longtime top dog "Wicked" unseated multiple occasions in the habitual perch by both "Lion King" and "Spider-Guy." Still, "Wicked" finished first frequently enough to help keep its status since the finest-grossing Broadway show for your eighth year back to back, really the only production ever to get this done. "The Phantom in the Opera" is a high annual grosser for eight years, but people years weren't consecutive.Due to its part, "Lion King" can tout its abnormally strong B.O. performance heading into its 15th year on Broadway. The show's holiday-week tally of $2.4 million was its best ever round the Rialto the identical frame saw the tuner break house records in Las vegas and on the road too.It absolutely was "Spider-Guy" that provided the finest shakeup around-finish charts, overcoming much-marketed tech troubles and nasty reviews to gross $69 million for your year. There's no make sure the show is constantly on the keep that momentum for the next year, but due to the $2.9 million tally drenched with the musical for your week ending Jan. 1, it's apparent producers know how take full advantage of high-demand periods.Furthermore, you will find "Book of Mormon," getting a $51 million total that placed it directly behind the $52.3 million moored out by "Jersey Boys." The Broadway edition of "Mormon" likely won't approach the pile of money acquired by "Wicked" or "Lion King" because of its venue's substantially smaller sized seating capacity, but the potency of people figures suggest the Tony champion may be adding towards the Broadway pot for just about any considerable while.Last season's "How you can achieve Business Without Really Trying," fueled by topliner Daniel Radcliffe, also became a member of the most effective 10 at $42.9 million. Radcliffe left the show Jan. 1, but producers are wanting to keep sales strong, with stints by youthful-skewing artists Darren Criss ("Glee") and tween heartthrob Nick Jonas in the Jonas Brothers and sisters band.Clearly, early strength doesn't necessarily guarantee sturdiness. Take last year's new addendums to this year's Top: "Promises, Promises" closed this past year when its stars handled to maneuver on, while "The Addams Family" reported a $37 million year and basically closed Jan. 1 without recuperating. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com