The Broadway mounting of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” has recouped its investment. The announcement comes on the heels of the June 29 closing performance of the Sarah Snook-led solo adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1891 novella. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the production was initially capitalized at $8.75 million.
Following previews that began on March 10, the Kip Williams-penned-and-directed drama opened on March 27 at the Music Box Theatre. Originally announced as a limited run through June 15, the production extended for two additional weeks.
This announcement marks the seventh production of the 2024-2025 season to reveal recoupment; “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “Othello,” “All In: Comedy About Love,” “Romeo + Juliet” and “Oh, Mary!” all made back their initial investments.
“Dorian Gray” played to houses that were 100 percent full (or more) for every week of its run. During this time, the drama broke multiple records at the Music Box. For 14 consecutive weeks, the production grossed within the $1 million range, becoming the only play to earn over $1 million in a single week at the 104-year-old venue. In its final week on the Main Stem, “Dorian Gray” breached the $2 million threshold, grossing $2,092,069. This marked the second-highest single-week gross for any show (musical or play) in the Music Box’s history. The only show to outpace this weekly take was “Dear Evan Hansen, which earned $2,119,371 during the week ending Dec. 31, 2017.
“Dorian Gray” follows the titular character, who becomes entranced by his own youth and beauty. Dorian declares he would sell his soul if could physically remain young while a newly created portrait of himself grows old instead. His wish comes true, and Dorian descends into an indulgent lifestyle of vice and cruelty. Following productions in Australia and London’s West End, the Broadway mounting earned six Tony Award nominations, garnering the distinction as the most-Tony-nominated solo play in Broadway history. The production took home two Tony wins, one for Snook’s leading performance and another for Marg Horwell’s costumes.
“Dorian Gray” was produced on Broadway by Michael Cassel, Adam Kenwright, Daryl Roth, Amanda Lipitz and Henry Tisch.
