Broadway Grosses: The Color Purple Celebrates Fantasia

American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino gave a boost the box office of The Color Purple, which took in more than $1,180,000 in her first week as Celie. Broadway's longest running show, The Phantom of the Opera, also enjoyed a great week, filling the Majestic Theatre to more 100%. Among the shows starting previews this past week were 110 in the Shade, starring Audra McDonald, which filled Studio 54 to a respectable 76%. Two other starry shows, Deuce with Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes and LoveMusik with Donna Murphy and Michael Cerveris, also began performances this week, both filling their theaters the Music Box and the Biltmore, respectively to just under 70% in their first few performances.

Here is a look at who was on top and who was not for the week ending April 15:

FRONTRUNNERS By Gross
1. Wicked $1,487,336
2. The Lion King $1,197,233
3. Mary Poppins $1,189,025
4. The Color Purple $1,183,723
5. Jersey Boys $1,164,098

UNDERDOGS By Gross
5. 110 in the Shade $197,785*
4. Prelude to a Kiss $180,950
3. Journey's End $171,376
2. Deuce $145,912**
1. LoveMusik $128,930*

FRONTRUNNERS By Capacity
1. Mary Poppins 100.91%
2. Jersey Boys 100.76%
3. The Phantom of the Opera 100.75%
4. Wicked 100.00%
5. The Lion King 99.99%

UNDERDOGS By Capacity
5. Grey Gardens 68.09%
4. The Producers 63.98%
3. Company46.56%
2. Talk Radio 46.50%
1. Journey's End 44%

* Number based on 5 preview performances.
** Number based on 4 preview performances.
Data provided by League of American Theatres and Producers.