Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ was top grossing Broadway show for 2013

Disney’s “The Lion King” can lay claim to two milestones for 2013. In October, the blockbuster musical passed the $1-billion mark at the Broadway box office. Now the musical is officially the top-grossing show of 2013, with approximately $96.9 million in Broadway receipts.

“The Lion King,” which originally opened in New York in 1997, has consistently been a top grosser on Broadway throughout its 16-year run.

Coming in second place at the Broadway box office for the year was another perennial favorite -- “Wicked,” with $95.3 million in receipts. “The Book of Mormon” brought in $90.4 million.

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“Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” -- which, like “The Lion King,” was directed by Julie Taymor -- grossed a total of $57.2 million for the year. Producers of the troubled musical previously announced the show will officially close Saturday, with a Las Vegas version in the works.

Box office information for all shows was provided by the Broadway League. The figures don’t include revenue from touring productions.

Many shows have benefited from premium ticket pricing, which allows producers to charge more for certain performances and seats.

When “The Lion King” first opened in New York, the average ticket price for the show was just $59. The musical has seen ticket prices more than double, with the average price of a ticket now at $185.

In 2012, “The Lion King” surpassed “The Phantom of the Opera” as the highest grossing show in Broadway history.

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Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ passes $1-billion mark on Broadway

‘The Lion King’ surpasses ‘Phantom of the Opera’ as box-office champ

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