Julia Roberts' play makes a million in the first week

Julia Roberts was almost the million-dollar baby on Broadway last week.

Three Days of Rain, which stars Roberts, Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper, grossed a whopping $988,298 for its first full week of preview performances, according to figures released Monday by the League of American Theatres and Producers.

The eight performances, which began March 28, played to 101% of capacity (which includes standing room) at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, the league said. The Richard Greenberg play — Roberts' Broadway debut — opens April 19.

Other shows playing to capacity — or better — last week included Wicked,Monty Python's Spamalot,The Pajama Game,The Odd Couple and The Phantom of the Opera. Although Phantom was helped by discount offers, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has demonstrated surprising box-office muscle, particularly after becoming Broadway's longest running show last January.

Also playing to virtual capacity were such shows as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,Jersey Boys,The Lion King and Tarzan, which is now in previews. Disney's new musical opens May 10 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Source: USA Today