The Broadway musical is a complex art form. They include amazing acting, delightful singing, and breathtaking visuals. But which musical is the longest-running?
The theatre has long been a place of wonder and whimsy, entertaining audiences for decades. The Broadway musical to kick off this industry arrived in 1866, named The Black Crook. Since then, stage shows have exploded in popularity. Some only run for a short time, while others withstand the test of time. Here are the top 10 longest-running musicals of all time.
The Top Ten Longest-Running Broadway Musicals of All Time
10) Beauty and the Beast
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast musical show opened in 1994 and ran for 13 years. It eventually closed to make way for The Little Mermaid show. Overall, the show amassed 5,461 performances on Broadway, paving the way for many Disney musicals. The family-friendly nature of the Disney animated films attracted a wide audience. For many young children, this was their introduction to the world of Broadway.
9) Mamma Mia
The Mamma Mia musical was based on the songs of the Swedish pop supergroup ABBA. The colourful costumes and characters entertained audiences for over a decade. The show debuted in 2001, putting on 5,758 performances. Mamma Mia’s jukebox tunes made audiences want to dance and celebrate life.
8) Oh! Calcutta!
Ah! Calcutta! is the first non-family-friendly entry to our list – featuring full nudity and explicit scenes. The raunchy show found minor success during its debut in 1971. A year and a half later, the production closed with just over 1,000 performances. Four years later, the show came back stronger than ever with a revival at the Edison Theatre. It ran for over a decade in 1976, with 5,959 performances.
7) A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line took a minimalistic approach to Broadway, which was rather unusual in 1975. However, the risk was a huge success and gave the show a unique appeal. The production was based on real-life interviews with Broadway dancers, offering audiences an intimate look into their lives. In total, the show enjoyed 6,137 performances at the Shubert Theatre before closing in 1990.
6) Les Misérables
Prior to the 2014 revival at the Imperial Theatre, the original “Les Miz” held a record-breaking run from 1987-2003. 16 years of live shows on Broadway! Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, the musical starred Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Terrance Mann as Javert. In 1995, a young Lea Michele joined the production as Young Cosette.
5) Wicked
This original, family-friendly musical was based on Gregory Maguire’s popular 1995 novel. Kristen Chenoweth excelled in her role as the bubbly Glinda, while the talented Idina Menzel played the role of her counterpart Elphaba in the original production. “Wicked” opened on Broadway in 2003, with over 7,500 performances so far.
4) Cats
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats was an instant hit when it first arrived in 1982. Based on T. S. Eliot’s poetry collection “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the highly visual and lyrical show was unlike anything Broadway had seen. It ran for 18 years before closing in 2000. After the resounding failure of the 2019 film adaptation, it seems that the theatre is the best place for the popular Broadway musical.
3) The Lion King
Another Disney classic, The Lion King musical was directed by Julie Taymor in 1997. Audiences were astounded by the animal-filled savannah, brought to life through life-sized puppets and breathtaking African-inspired outfits. The Lion King is Broadway’s highest-grossing musical to date, earning over $1.5 billion.
2) Chicago
The original production of Chicago closed after two years, but the current revival of the Broadway musical has been enjoying success since 1996 at the Ambassador Theatre. Its latest version has won many awards across 10,000 performances. Chicago has featured dozens of stars (Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, and Ann Reinking for the original cast) and celebrity guest stars (such as Jerry Springer, Wendy Williams, and Usher).
1) The Phantom of the Opera
Perhaps to nobody’s surprise, Phantom of the Opera reigns supreme! Since it opened in 1988, Phantom of the Opera has received rave reviews and multiple awards. This masterpiece from Andrew Lloyd Webber has been performed 13,981 times at the Majestic Theatre. After three decades, it has certainly earned its place in the top spot.
Have you seen any of these Broadway musicals? Which is your favourite? Will any be able to rival The Phantom of the Opera’s legacy? Follow us for more theatre trivia.