Historic Record-Breaking Final Week for ‘Ragtime’; ‘Paranormal Activity’ Previews Sell Out on Broadway
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, the musical Ragtime concluded its run on Sunday with a phenomenal final performance, breaking its previous sales record to become the highest-grossing production in Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway history. Directed by Lear deBessonet, Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater, this revival grossed an impressive $1,963,666 across its final eight performances.
Among the 27 shows running during the week ending August 16, only the hit musical Hamilton managed to outgross Ragtime, recording $2,123,135. This achievement comes at a time when most Broadway productions experienced revenue dips due to the traditional August slowdown. Meanwhile, Buena Vista Social Club (grossing $701,983) and The Rocky Horror Show (grossing $829,118) were among the few productions that saw revenue growth.
The cast for Ragtime‘s closing night featured Tony Award winners Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz, alongside Nicholas Barasch, Ben Davis, Nyshielle Lewis, Julie Benko, John Clay III, Rod Singletary, Marina Kondo, Jackson Parker Gill, Irina Dvorovenko, and Tabitha Lawing.
Winner of the 2026 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, Ragtime played to 100% capacity in its final week, joining Hamilton in selling out every seat. Joining this exclusive sold-out club was the new production Paranormal Activity. Written by Levi Holloway and directed by Felix Barrett (director of Sleep No More), this Olivier Award-nominated British horror play played to 100% capacity across its first four preview performances at the August Wilson Theatre, grossing $422,257.
Inspired by the famous horror film franchise, Paranormal Activity officially opens on Tuesday, August 25, kicking off a limited 20-week engagement.
In total, the 27 Broadway shows running during the week ending August 16 brought in $27,003,040—a 20% decline compared to the previous week and a 9% decrease compared to the same period last season. Total attendance stood at 226,229, down 12% from the prior week and 8% from last year.
Twelve weeks into the 2026–2027 Broadway season, cumulative box office revenue has reached $412,444,622—down approximately 5% compared to the same period last year—while total attendance remains steady at 3,347,484 theatergoers.
