NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Broadway show Wicked was finally dethroned in May from its number one spot on TicketsNow's index of best selling events. The American Idols Live tour, with 6.30% of overall sales, was the top seller. The tour is shaping up to be the biggest concert series of the summer, leading the concert category with 17.05% of sales.
"With American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and runner-up Kathrine McPhee bringing their substantial fan bases, it is not a surprise that the concert series is an instant success," says Kenneth Dotson, chief marketing officer for TicketsNow. "This show appeals to a wide variety of our customers."
Wicked didn't fall far. It dominated the theater category with 36.72% of sales and maintaining the number two spot overall with 5.85%. Monty Python's Spamalot also had a strong showing in May coming in at number two in the theater category with 10.17% of sales.
Baseball teams occupy five of the top 10 spots overall in the TicketsNow May Entertainment Index. The New York Yankees climbed to the number three spot overall with 4.28% of sales and claimed the number one spot in the sports category from long time rival the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox dropped to the number two spot in sports in May and to fourth in overall sales.
Tim McGraw edged out Madonna in May in the concert category behind the American Idols Live Tour. McGraw notched 7.87% of concert sales while Madonna came in third at 5.47%. The rest of the top 10 concert artists include Kenny Chesney, Shakira, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Dave Mathews Band, Jimmy Buffett, and Roger Waters.
Top May events overall:
1. American Idols Live
2. Wicked
3. New York Yankees
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Tim McGraw
7. St. Louis Cardinals
8. Chicago White Sox
9. Madonna
10. Phoenix Suns
Top May sports ticket sales:
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Chicago Cubs
4. St. Louis Cardinals
5. Chicago White Sox
Top May concert ticket sales:
1. American Idols Live
2. Tim McGraw
3. Madonna
4. Kenny Chesney
5. Shakira
Top May theater sales:
1. Wicked
2. Monty Python Spamalot
3. Jersey Boys
4. The Lion King
5. Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo
–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
