Michelle Williams & Lupita Nyong’o Among Celebrities Helping to Boost Broadway Ticket Sales

While Hamilton may be making the most noise on Broadway these days, there are plenty of other buzzworthy shows for theater fans to check out, and many feature some of the biggest stars from film and TV. Having a recognizable name or two (like Michelle Williams or Lupita Nyong'o) in the cast often means critical recognition and strong primary and secondary ticket sales.

Long Day's Journey into Night, starring Jessica Lange and Gabriel Byrne, is grossing about $460,000 per week, and with seven Tony noms, including some for both its stars, it shows that the theater community--both critics and fans--are drawn to celebrated names. Resale tickets average $277, with the cheapest ticket for most shows in the $150 range, according to ticket aggregator TiqIQ.

Then there's She Loves Me, with resale tickets averaging $248 and the cheapest ticket for most shows in the $150 range, the Joe Masteroff musical is finding a big audience. The show stars a trio of TV stars, Zachary Levi (Chuck), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) and Broadway fave Laura Benanti (Nashville), and fans have been flocking to the stage door afterwards to meet all three Tony-nominated stars.

David Harrower's Olivier Award-winning Blackbird saw Tony noms for both its stars, Jeff Daniels and Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, and is seeing tickets average a hefty $221, with the cheapest ticket for most shows in the $70-110 range. However, tickets for Blackbird are available for purchase directly from Telecharge, where tickets range from just $39 - $145.

Having a big name can often be a big draw for a new work or one without a lot of fanfare attached.

For instance, despite featuring an all-female cast, Eclipsed, starring 12 Years a Slave Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, is one of the hottest tickets in town. Adding further celebrity to the production, its playwright is The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira (Michonne). It garnered six Tony award nominations this year and critics have been singing its praises. Tickets for Eclipsed average $226, with the cheapest ticket for most shows in the $60-90 range. Broadway buyers can find the most affordable tickets to see Eclipsed directly from Telecharge, where tickets start at just $45.

Sometimes the "big" name doesn't even have to be acting on stage. Legendary comedian Steve Martin co-wrote the music for Bright Star with Grammy winner Edie Brickell, and his name up on the Cort Theatre marquee has people coming out in droves. The show is at about 80 percent capacity on most nights, with the cheapest tickets at the box office priced at just $45. On the resale market, the cheapest tickets for most shows generally start in the $55-85 range.

Of course, not every movie star that comes to the Great White Way finds success. When Oscar winner Forest Whitaker opened in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's Hughie in March, the play faltered badly, closing months before its scheduled end date.

Still, there's no denying that having a famous name on the Broadway poster catches the attention of the casual theater fan as well as being a treat for those who regularly attend theater. People are intrigued to see their favorites in a new medium and judging by this year's Tony nominations, critics are just as welcoming.