When we talk about Broadway records, the official benchmarks of success, failure, and pay in New York’s live theater scene. Also known as Broadway box office history, it’s not just about ticket sales—it’s about how much actors earn, which shows lose millions, and what makes a musical stick around for years. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They’re the real story behind the curtain—the unpaid overtime, the side gigs, the shows that cost more to build than some houses.
Take Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the most expensive Broadway flop ever, losing over $60 million despite a $75 million budget. Also known as Broadway’s biggest box office bomb, it changed how theaters handle safety, rehearsals, and even how investors think about big-budget musicals. Then there’s the flip side: shows that dominate the charts in 2025, pulling in millions weekly. Who’s leading? It’s not always the flashy new production—it’s often the one with the tightest cast, the most loyal fans, and the best ticket deals.
And what about the people on stage? Broadway actor salary, the real pay for performers in New York’s unionized theater scene. Also known as stage actor earnings, it’s not Hollywood money. Ensemble members start at $2,087 a week. Stars? They can clear $10,000—but only if they’re in the top 5%. Most actors juggle teaching, bartending, or commercials just to make rent. The union sets minimums, but the real money comes from touring, streaming rights, or being the face of a hit show.
Broadway records track more than just ticket sales. They track risk. They track endurance. They track how long a show can survive without major stars, without TV buzz, without a movie deal. The records show that the most successful shows aren’t always the loudest—they’re the ones that build word-of-mouth, keep audiences coming back, and don’t bleed cash on over-the-top effects.
You’ll find posts here that break down the current top shows in 2025, the quiet underdogs that outperformed expectations, and the ones that crashed hard. You’ll see how much actors really make—not the rumors, not the headlines, but the union contracts and pay stubs. You’ll learn why some flops become cult classics, and why some hits vanish after a season.
Whether you’re a theater fan, a curious newcomer, or someone considering a career on stage, these records tell you what matters: the truth behind the lights. What’s playing now? Who’s getting paid? And which show is quietly rewriting the rules?
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running Broadway show in history, with over 13,900 performances from 1988 to 2023. It outlasted Cats, Chicago, and The Lion King, becoming a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation of theatergoers.