May 27 (Bloomberg) -- Broadway outfoxed the national economy this season, with ticket sales up $5.8 million from last year, to $943.3 million.

The 52-week season officially ended Sunday, according to the Broadway League, which represents producers and theater owners. During that period, 43 shows opened, the most since the 1982-83 season, the league said in a release.

Attendance, however, fell slightly: This year there were 12.15 million ticket buyers, as compared with 12.27 million last season. (The League figures include estimates for “Young Frankenstein,” which didn’t publish its ticket sales or attendance totals.)

The increase in sales represents higher average ticket prices, while the drop in paid attendance suggests that the tightening economy did frighten away some theatergoers. The attendance figures are especially notable because in the 2007-08 season, much of Broadway was shut down during a 19-day strike by unionized stagehands.

Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the League, said in a statement, “It’s been an inspiring season! As we have proven, if you put on a great show, people will come -- even in the midst of an economic downturn.”

Producers were upbeat about the season during a recent annual meeting of the league in New York. It included blockbuster musicals such as “Billy Elliot” and star-driven plays such as “33 Variations,” which featured Jane Fonda in her return to Broadway after a 46-year absence.

In all, there were 10 new musicals, 8 new plays, 4 musical revivals and, remarkably, 16 play revivals during the year. In addition, there were 5 “special performances,” including those by Liza Minnelli and Will Ferrell.

Broadway’s biggest national event, the Tony Awards, will be telecast by CBS live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, beginning at 8 p.m. New York time.

To contact the writer of this column: Jeremy Gerard in New York at jgerard2@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: May 26, 2009 20:00 EDT