(April 25, 2006, New York City) The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. reports that the week ending April 23 /2006 represents the highest grossing spring week in Broadway history, at $21.4 million, with paid attendance the fourth highest in recorded history, at 299,177. Grosses are up 23.4% and audience attendance is up 12.5% from the same week last season. Paid attendance levels have not been this high since April 2001.

Also noteworthy is that the week ending April 23, 2006, marks the first time since 1984 that 38 theatres have had shows playing at the same time. The Minskoff is the only Broadway theatre without a current tenant as it prepares for the transfer of “The Lion King” in June.

According to The League, the high grosses and attendance are due, in part, to the tremendous number of great new shows that are opening, just in time for the spring and summer tourist season.

The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., founded in 1930 and operating under the trademark “Live Broadway,” is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League’s 500-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in over 140 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry.