Jackman, Craig drama "A Steady Rain" sets Broadway record

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-30 15:03

Actor Hugh Jackman with a glass of champagne gives a toasts to fans at a red carpet event for the Japan premiere of "X-men Origins: Wolverine" in Tokyo September 3, 2009.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - The new Broadway drama "A Steady Rain," starring Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, has set the record for the highest weekly ticket sales of a non-musical play, its producers said on Tuesday.

The play about two Chicago policeman earned just under $1.17 million at theater box offices in the week ending September 20 while the drama was still in previews.

It beat the previous record of $1.06 million set by comedian Billy Crystal's "700 Sundays" in May 2005.

"A Steady Rain," in which Jackman and Craig portray two Chicago cops offering two different accounts of a harrowing event that changed their lives, officially opens on September 29.

The play, by Chicago playwright Keith Huff, was first produced off-Broadway in 2006.

Jackman, 40, who starred in Hollywood movies such as "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," has starred on stage in New York before, winning a Tony, Broadway's top honor, for his portrayal of singer/songwriter Peter Allen in "The Boy from Oz" in 2004.

Craig, 41, is making his Broadway debut. He has had his share of success, too, on stage in Britain but also playing British super spy James Bond in recent movie box office hits, "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace."

"A Steady Rain" is scheduled to run until December 6.