Economics of Broadway Shows and Awards

Economics Happy Hour Podcast · May 9, 2025 · 40m

Matt and Jadrian explore the economic power of Broadway's biggest awards: the Tonys. We explain how Tony nominations influence ticket sales and why timing matters for a show's success. They also discuss some of the ways that theatre houses price discriminate to fill as many seats as possible each night. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how Broadway's top prizes shape what audiences see—and what producers prioritize.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why Tony nominations matter for Broadway shows' financial success

* The timing effect: why opening closer to the nomination season helps

*…