The bright lights of Broadway have always been an alluring draw for tourists and theater lovers alike. However, recent numbers from the Broadway League paint a bleak picture of the current state of the theater district. According to the latest data, Broadway shows have seen a 17% decrease in attendance for the 2022-23 season compared to 2018-19, which was the last full season before the COVID pandemic.
These numbers have alarmed many in the theater industry and have raised questions about the future of Broadway. A new survey conducted by The Situation Group sheds light on the reasons behind this decline in attendance. The results show that a significant factor in this dip is “safety concerns” from suburban residents who would typically travel to Manhattan for a show.
The survey, which interviewed 1,700 Broadway ticket buyers nationwide, found that 50% of suburbanites have not returned to Broadway due to safety concerns. This sentiment is not surprising, given the rising crime rates in New York City. According to the NYPD data, robberies, assaults, burglaries, and grand larceny have all increased by double-digit percentages since 2019. Additionally, retail theft has seen a dramatic jump of 44% from 2021 to 2022.
It is worth noting that the latest report from the NYPD also states that murders and shootings are down by double-digit percentages in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, this may not be enough to alleviate the fears of potential Broadway-goers, especially for those who live outside of the city. The survey also found that 41% of suburbanites admitted to traveling to Manhattan for pleasure less often than they did in 2019.
The Broadway League declined to comment on the numbers, which only adds to the concerns within the industry. However, Times Square Alliance president Tom Harris has spoken out to combat the perception that Manhattan is not a safe place to visit. In an interview with The New York Post, he stated that “Times Square is one of the safest neighborhoods in all of NYC thanks to the hardworking men and women of the NYPD.”
While the decline in Broadway attendance may be attributed to various factors, safety concerns seem to be the primary reason for the dip. This begs the question of what can be done to reassure potential audience members and drive them back to Broadway. One solution may be for the NYPD and city officials to work on changing perceptions of safety in Manhattan and implementing measures to combat rising crime rates.
“When you reduce the numbers in the police department, you’re going to see substantial increases in violent crime and murder, in shootings.”
Former New York City Police Commissioner @BernardKerik warns Mayor Eric Adams not to cut the police budget. @CSalcedoShow pic.twitter.com/He3vv2ACfu
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 8, 2023
Additionally, with half of the survey respondents stating that there are fewer Broadway shows they want to see, it may be time for the theater industry to rethink its offerings. This could include diversifying the types of shows available and making them more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
In the end, these troubling numbers serve as a wake-up call for the Broadway community. While no one expects a quick fix to the decline in attendance, it is essential to address the root cause and work towards finding solutions. The success of Broadway depends on it, not only for the sake of the industry but for the vitality of New York City as a whole.
New York, our city is facing unprecedented danger: crime, migrant crisis, and jihadist terrorism mixed with defund the police, cashless bail, and clean slate policies. New Yorkers are suffocated and put in harms way in our own city.
There is no protection for even the NYPD,… https://t.co/XZsnUt2wig
— Helen Qiu | City Council District 1 Candidate 2023 (@Helen4NY) December 26, 2023
