The Broadway phenomenon, Chicago, is proving that it's still a powerhouse after all these years, and it has an unexpected secret weapon: Whitney Leavitt. The former 'Mormon Wives' star is turning heads and boosting box office sales!
Chicago, the iconic musical revival, is celebrating its 29th year at the Ambassador Theatre, solidifying its status as Broadway's longest-running American musical. And with Leavitt stepping into the role of Roxie Hart, the show is experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
But here's where it gets controversial... Producers Barry and Fran Weissler have a history of casting celebrities to keep the show fresh, and Leavitt, a Dancing With The Stars alum, is no exception. However, her impact on the box office is undeniable. The week ending February 15th saw a massive gross of $1.4 million, nearly double that of any other non-holiday week this year.
The Presidents Day weekend certainly played a role, attracting visitors and offering Broadway Week promotions. But even the lucrative Christmas and New Year's holidays couldn't match this success. With a near-capacity crowd of 8,565, Chicago dominated the box office.
Other shows also benefited from the holiday week, with most productions seeing increased box office receipts. Aladdin, Hamilton, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child led the way with gains exceeding $300,000. The Great Gatsby, The Lion King, and Wicked followed suit, bouncing back with over $400,000 in gains.
The top earners for the week were Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, and Chess, each grossing over $1.5 million. Even in its final week, Marjorie Prime saw a significant increase, filling 95% of seats at the Hayes.
In total, the 27 productions grossed an impressive $33.5 million for the week ending February 15th, an 11.3% jump over the previous week and a 19% increase compared to the same period last year. Attendance remained steady, with an average ticket price of $136.10, a substantial increase of $18.59 from the week before.
And this is the part most people miss... While Stranger Things: The First Shadow didn't have regular performances last week due to filming, Broadway as a whole is thriving. In the 38th week of the 2025-26 season, Broadway has grossed over $1.3 billion, an 8% increase from last year, with total attendance reaching over 10 million, up 3%.
So, is celebrity casting a clever strategy or a cheap gimmick? And what do you think of Whitney Leavitt's impact on Chicago's success? Let's discuss in the comments!
