Billy Crystal's '860' Opens Strong as Broadway's Fall Season Gains Momentum

Broadway's fall season is picking up speed, with two more productions starting previews last week and several others still to come.

Hamilton, which welcomed original cast member Christopher Jackson back to the stage, stayed on top as the highest grossing show of the week at $2.5 million. Other Desert Cities followed at $2.3 million. The play stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Allison Janney and Joe Keery. It kept the highest average ticket price on Broadway at $290 and filled 100 percent of its seats. It opened on Oct. 18 to mixed reviews.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child took third place with $1.99 million. The Lion King grossed $1.9 million and MJ brought in $1.7 million.

Billy Crystal's solo show 860 opened on Oct. 21 to largely positive reviews. Across seven performances it played at about 98 percent capacity. Even with a comped opening night, it earned $1.2 million. The production has announced an extension through Feb. 14.

Downstate, produced by Scott Rudin, had a delayed first preview but then played six performances last week at 95 percent capacity. The play opens Nov. 15. Its gross was only $264,437, and the average ticket price was $61.64, which points to heavy discounting.

The new musical Wanted completed its first full week of eight performances at 93 percent capacity, a slight drop from the week before. It grossed $624,088 while continuing to offer discounted preview pricing.

The revival of The Fantasticks drew strong crowds for its first four performances, filling the Helen Hayes Theater to 100 percent capacity. The theater is owned by the nonprofit Second Stage. The musical took in $254,610.

A Few Good Men is the next show scheduled to open, on Oct. 29. The play stars Bradley Whitford and Tom Blyth. It has posted strong grosses and attendance, with close to $1.4 million last week.