Broadway costs add up for producers. But on stage, the show must go on
For over a century, Broadway has been at the heart of New York City culture, with glittering marquees welcoming millions of tourists and locals every year.
People walk past a Broadway theater in Times Square on October 21, 2025, in New York City.
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But Broadway musicals are now struggling to make a profit, as affordability concerns impact all aspects of American life. Musical producers can place the blame on rising costs from theater rent, fees, labor and even lumber, which has roughly doubled in price since December 2016. Meanwhile, ticket prices haven’t risen quickly enough to offset these costs.
It’s a blow to New York City, where Broadway’s health is vital to its economy.
“As New York City goes, so goes Broadway in many respects and vice versa,” Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, the trade association for the theater industry, told CNN.