‘Glengarry Glen Ross,’ with Al Pacino, recoups investment

The Broadway season has not been kind to David Mamet. The playwright has seen his new drama “The Anarchist” close after less than a month while a highly touted revival of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” starring Al Pacino, has earned unenthusiastic reviews.

Finally, there is some good news for Mamet. The producers of “Glengarry” announced on Wednesday that the revival has recouped its reported initial investment of $3.3 million. It is the first Broadway production of the 2011-12 season to do so, they said.

The news should not come as much of a surprise to people who have paid to see “Glengarry.” The top ticket price is $350, the highest for any play on Broadway. The average cost of a ticket is $145, more than any other show except “The Book of Mormon.”

Pacino stars as downtrodden real-estate broker Shelly Levene alongside Bobby Cannavale as Ricky Roma. The production’s opening was postponed following Hurricane Sandy, but many have speculated that the delays and the unusually long preview period were due to creative difficulties.

Although Pacino is the main box-office attraction, Cannavale has been singled out for praise by critics for his performance as Roma.

The limited run of “Glengarry” at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is scheduled to end on Jan. 20.

ALSO:

Review: ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ a star turn for Al Pacino

David Mamet’s ‘The Anarchist’: What did the critics think?

Al Pacino in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’: What did the critics think?