At the heart of American theatre lies Broadway (AKA The Great White Way). The shows that make their way here have to please both critics and audience members, and should they fail to do so - well, it’s time to drop the curtain.
Here, we have a look at the successes - plays and musicals that have been at Broadway forever. It is notable that when it comes to the top 10 longest running Broadway shows, not a single one is a play. Even in the top 20, the longest running play, Life with Father, makes its debut at #17. The Fantasticks is the longest running Off-Broadway show, having been performed 17,162 times over 42 years, before closing in 2002.
Please note that this list is based on the number of performances till date.
Top 10 Longest Running Broadway Shows of All Time
1
The Phantom Of The Opera
Open Run
$50 - $100
The longest running Broadway show and musical, The Phantom of the Opera made its debut on January 26, 1988. Upon its debut, it won 7 Tony Awards, and has been performed over 12,000 times since then. It is currently running at Majestic Theatre.
Majestic Theatre
Seating Chart ›
2
Chicago
Open Run
Under $50
This revival of the original 1975 production is the longest running Broadway revival, with nearly 9,000 performances. Currently running in Ambassador Theatre, it is also Broadway's longest running American show. This production won 6 Tonys in 1997, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1998.
Ambassador Theatre
Seating Chart ›
3
The Lion King
Open Run
$50 - $100
Having won 6 Tony Awards in 1998, The Lion King quickly made its way into the hearts of critics and audiences. Based on the 1994 animated Disney movie of the same name, it is also the longest running Disney Theatrical Productions show. The show is currently running at Minskoff Theatre, and is the highest-grossing Broadway show in history, having made almost $1.5 billion as of June 2018.
Minskoff Theatre
Seating Chart ›
4
Cats
CLOSED
Having won 6 Tony Awards in 1998, The Lion King quickly made its way into the hearts of critics and audiences. Based on the 1994 animated Disney movie of the same name, it is also the longest running Disney Theatrical Productions show. The show is currently running at Minskoff Theatre, and is the highest-grossing Broadway show in history, having made almost $1.5 billion as of June 2018.
5
Les Misérables
CLOSED
Based on the legendary book by Victor Hugo, Les Misérables made its Broadway debut in 1987 and ran until 2003, covering 6,680 performances. It won eight Tony Awards, and a Grammy for Best Musical Cast Show Album in 1988. It saw two revivals - one in 2004, and another in 2014. Its West End counterpart holds the title of the longest running musical in the West End.
6
A Chorus Line
CLOSED
A Chorus Line made its Broadway debut in 1975, and after 6,137 performances, closed in 1990. The musical won nine Tony Awards, along with a Special Tony Award in 1984 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976. A revival in 2006 ran for over 700 performances.
7
Wicked
Open Run
$50 - $100
Into its 15th year now, Wicked made its Broadway debut in 2003, and has been running since. The show won three Tonys upon its debut, and has seen over 6,000 performances. The story is an alternative retelling of L. Frank Baum's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. You can catch the show at Gershwin Theatre.
Gershwin Theatre
Seating Chart ›
8
Oh! Calcutta!
CLOSED
Oh! Calcutta! was a revue that made its Broadway debut in 1971. While the show closed in 1972, its 1976 revival ran for over 5,900 performances, making it the longest running Broadway revue of all time. The show was controversial, as it contained scenes of both male and female nudity, given that it consisted of sketches on sex-related topics.
9
Mamma Mia!
CLOSED
Based on Swedish pop/dance group ABBA's songs, Mamma Mia! was an instant hit upon its debut in 2001. The show closed in September 2015, after 5,758 performances. The show was also Broadway's longest-running 'jukebox' musical, and was also adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried. Its West End counterpart is the eighth longest running show in West End history.
10
Beauty and the Beast
CLOSED
An adaptation of the 1991 animated Disney film of the same name, Beauty & the Beast opened in 1994. It ran until 2007, with 5,461 performances to its name. The show explores themes of love, appearances, and sacrifice. The show made its debut at Palace Theatre, and then moved to Lunt-Fontanne Theatre where it ran until closing.
Other Longest Running Broadway Shows
Here are some others in the list of Top 50 longest running Broadway shows, ranked based on the number of performances till date.
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