List of the longest-running Broadway shows

This is a list of the longest-running shows on Broadway with 1,000 or more performances. Nine currently running shows (all musicals) have at least 1,000 performances: The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago (1996 revival), The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Come from Away.

The Phantom of the Opera has been running at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway since 1988.

List

Unless otherwise noted, the run count listed is for the original Broadway production of the show. M denotes a musical, P denotes a straight play, R denotes revue, D denotes a predominantly dance musical, and S denotes a special case. Totals current through March 11, 2020, after which all Broadway theaters suspended performances during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] In situations where a production ran at multiple theatres, they are listed in order of most performances. Shows in bold were running at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown.

# Title Type Opening
date		 Closing
date		 Performances Awards Comment
1. The Phantom of the Opera M January 26, 1988 13,370[2] 7 Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical
7 Drama Desk Awards in 1988		 Currently running at the Majestic Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
Broadway's longest-running show and musical
2. Chicago (1996 revival) M November 14, 1996 9,692[3] 6 Tony Awards in 1997, including Best Revival of a Musical
6 Drama Desk Awards in 1997, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1998		 Currently running at the Ambassador Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
Revival
Original production in 1975 (936 performances)
Broadway's longest-running revival
Longest running show to have premiered on Broadway
Broadway's longest running American show
3. The Lion King M November 13, 1997 9,302[4] 6 Tony Awards in 1998, including Best Musical
8 Drama Desk Awards in 1998
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1999		 Currently running at the Minskoff Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
Longest-running Disney Theatrical Productions show
Highest-grossing Broadway show in history
4. Cats M October 7, 1982 September 10, 2000 7,485[5] 7 Tony Awards in 1983, including Best Musical
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1983
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1984		 Revival in 2016 (593 performances)
5. Wicked M October 30, 2003 6,836[6] 3 Tony Awards in 2004
7 Drama Desk Awards in 2004, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2005		 Currently running at the Gershwin Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
6. Les Misérables M March 12, 1987 May 18, 2003 6,680[7] 8 Tony Awards in 1987, including Best Musical
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1987, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Show Album in 1988 and 1991		 Revivals in 2006 (463 performances) and 2014 (1,024 performances)
7. A Chorus Line M July 25, 1975 April 28, 1990 6,137[8] 9 Tony Awards in 1976, including Best Musical
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1976, including Outstanding Musical
A Special Tony Award in 1984 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976		 Revival in 2006 (759 performances)
8. Oh! Calcutta! (1976 revival) R September 24, 1976 August 6, 1989 5,959[9] Revival
Original production in 1969 (1,314 performances)
First revival to match its original for 1000+ performances
Broadway's longest-running revue
9. Mamma Mia! M October 18, 2001 September 12, 2015 5,758[10] Longest-running "jukebox musical" on Broadway
10. Beauty and the Beast M April 18, 1994 July 29, 2007 5,461[11] A Tony Award in 1994
11. Rent M April 29, 1996 September 7, 2008 5,123[12] 4 Tony Awards in 1996, including Best Musical
6 Drama Desk Awards in 1996, including Outstanding Musical
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1996
12. Jersey Boys M November 6, 2005 January 15, 2017 4,642[13] 4 Tony Awards in 2006, including Best Musical
2 Drama Desk Awards in 2006
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2007
13. Miss Saigon M April 11, 1991 January 28, 2001 4,092[14] 3 Tony Awards in 1991
4 Drama Desk Awards in 1991		 Revival in 2017 (340 performances)
14. The Book of Mormon M March 24, 2011 3,748[15] 9 Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical
5 Drama Desk Awards in 2011, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2012		 Currently running at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
15. 42nd Street M August 25, 1980 January 8, 1989 3,486[16] 2 Tony Awards in 1981, including Best Musical
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1981		 Revival in 2001 (1,524 performances)
16. Grease M February 14, 1972 April 13, 1980 3,388[17] 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1972 Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
17. Fiddler on the Roof M September 22, 1964 July 2, 1972 3,242[18] 9 Tony Awards in 1965, including Best Musical
A Special Tony Award in 1972 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical		 Revivals in 1976 (167 performances), 1981 (53 performances), 1990, (241 performances), 2004 (781 performances), and 2015 (431 performances)
18. Life With Father P November 8, 1939 July 12, 1947 3,224[19] Broadway's longest-running straight play
19. Tobacco Road P December 4, 1933 May 31, 1941 3,182[20] Revivals in 1942 (34 performances), 1943 (66 performances), and 1950 (7 performances)
20. Hello, Dolly! M January 16, 1964 December 27, 1970 2,844[21] 10 Tony Awards in 1964, including Best Musical
A Drama Desk Award in 1970		 Revivals in 1975 (42 performances), 1978 (147 performances), 1995 (116 performances), and 2017 (550 performances)
21. My Fair Lady M March 15, 1956 September 29, 1962 2,717[22] 6 Tony Awards in 1957, including Best Musical Revivals in 1976 (377 performances), 1981 (120 performances), 1993 (165 performances), and 2018 (509 performances)
22. Hairspray M August 15, 2002 January 4, 2009 2,642[23] 8 Tony Awards in 2003, including Best Musical
10 Drama Desk Awards in 2003, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2003
23. Mary Poppins M November 16, 2006 March 3, 2013 2,619[24] A Tony Award in 2007
2 Drama Desk Awards in 2007
24. Avenue Q M July 31, 2003 September 13, 2009 2,534[25] 3 Tony Awards in 2004, including Best Musical Original production moved Off-Broadway to New World Stages and ran for an additional 4,035 performances, closing May 26, 2019.
25. Aladdin M March 20, 2014 2,506[26] A Tony Award in 2014
A Drama Desk Award in 2014		 Currently running at the New Amsterdam Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
26. Kinky Boots M April 4, 2013 April 7, 2019 2,505[27] 6 Tony Awards in 2013, including Best Musical
A Drama Desk Award in 2013
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2014
27. The Producers M April 19, 2001 April 22, 2007 2,502[28] 12 Tony Awards in 2001, including Best Musical
11 Drama Desk Awards in 2001, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2002		 Currently holds the record of Broadway production with the most Tony Award wins, winning 12.
28. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical M January 12, 2014 October 27, 2019 2,416[29] 2 Tony Awards in 2014
3 Drama Desk Awards in 2014
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2015
29. Annie M April 21, 1977 January 2, 1983 2,377[30] 7 Tony Awards in 1977, including Best Musical
7 Drama Desk Awards in 1977, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1978		 Revivals in 1997 (239 performances) and 2012 (487 performances)
Cabaret (1998 revival) M March 19, 1998 January 4, 2004 2,377[31] 4 Tony Awards in 1998, including Best Revival of a Musical
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1998, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical		 Revival
Original production in 1966 (1,165 performances) and revivals in 1987 (261 performances) and 2014 (388 performances)
31. Man of La Mancha M November 22, 1965 June 26, 1971 2,328[32] 5 Tony Awards in 1966, including Best Musical Revivals in 1972 (140 performances), 1977 (124 performances), 1992 (108 performances), and 2002 (304 performances)
Rock of Ages M April 7, 2009 January 18, 2015 2,328[33]
33. Abie's Irish Rose P May 23, 1922 October 1, 1927 2,327[34] Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
34. Oklahoma! M March 31, 1943 May 29, 1948 2,212[35] A Special Tony Award in 1993 for the show's 50th anniversary Revivals in 1951 (100 performances), 1953 (40 performances), 1979 (293 performances), 2002 (388 performances), and 2019 (328 performances)
35. Smokey Joe's Cafe R March 2, 1995 January 16, 2000 2,036[36] Broadway's longest running original music revue. The longest running musical revue, Oh! Calcutta!, was a revival.
36. Pippin M October 23, 1972 June 12, 1977 1,944[37] 5 Tony Awards in 1973
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1973		 Revival in 2013 (709 performances)
37. South Pacific M April 7, 1949 January 16, 1954 1,925[38] 10 Tony Awards in 1950, including Best Musical
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950		 Revivals in 1955 (15 performances) and 2008 (996 performances)

Held the record of Broadway production with the most Tony Award wins for 51 years with 10 wins, until it was surpassed by The Producers, which won 12.

38. The Magic Show M May 28, 1974 December 31, 1978 1,920[39]
39. Hamilton M August 6, 2015 1,919[40] 11 Tony Awards in 2016, including Best Musical
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2016		 Currently running at the Richard Rodgers Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
Hamilton currently holds the record for Most Tony Award nominations for a production with 16
40. Aida M March 23, 2000 September 5, 2004 1,852[41] 4 Tony Awards in 2000
A Drama Desk Award in 2000
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2001
41. Gemini P May 21, 1977 September 6, 1981 1,819[42]
42. Deathtrap P February 26, 1978 June 13, 1982 1,793[43]
43. Harvey P November 1, 1944 January 15, 1949 1,775[44] Revival in 1970 (79 performances) and 2012 (62 performances)
44. Dancin' D March 27, 1978 June 27, 1982 1,774[45] 2 Tony Awards in 1978
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1978		 Broadway's longest-running dance musical
45. La Cage aux Folles M August 21, 1983 November 15, 1987 1,761[46] 6 Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1984		 Revivals in 2004 (229 performances) and 2010 (433 performances)
46. Hair M April 29, 1968 July 1, 1972 1,750[47] A Drama Desk Award in 1968
Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album in 1969		 Revivals in 1977 (43 performances), 2004 (1 benefit performance), 2009 (519 performances), and 2011 (67 performances)
47. The Wiz M January 5, 1975 January 28, 1979 1,672[48] 7 Tony Awards in 1975, including Best Musical
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1975, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1976		 Revival in 1984 (13 performances)
48. Born Yesterday P February 4, 1946 December 31, 1949 1,642[49] Revivals in 1989 (153 performances) and 2011 (73 performances)
49. Crazy for You M February 19, 1992 January 7, 1996 1,622[50] 3 Tony Awards in 1992, including Best Musical
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1992, including Outstanding Musical
50. Ain't Misbehavin' R May 9, 1978 February 21, 1982 1,604[51] 3 Tony Awards in 1978, including Best Musical
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1978, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1979		 Revival in 1988 (176 performances)
51. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas M June 19, 1978 March 27, 1982 1,584[52] 2 Tony Awards in 1979
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1978		 Revivals in 1982 (63 performances) and 2006 (1 benefit performance)
52. Spamalot M March 17, 2005 January 11, 2009 1,575[53] 3 Tony Awards in 2005, including Best Musical
3 Drama Desk Awards in 2005, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2006
53. Mary, Mary P March 8, 1961 December 12, 1964 1,572[54]
54. Evita M September 25, 1979 June 26, 1983 1,567[55] 7 Tony Awards in 1980, including Best Musical
6 Drama Desk Awards in 1980, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1981		 Revival in 2012 (337 performances)
55. The Voice of the Turtle P December 8, 1943 January 3, 1948 1,557[56]
56. Matilda the Musical M April 11, 2013 January 1, 2017 1,554[57] 4 Tony Awards in 2013
5 Drama Desk Awards in 2013, including Outstanding Musical
A Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 2013 for the four original Matildas
57. Waitress M April 24, 2016 January 5, 2020 1,544[58] A Drama Desk Award in 2016
58. Jekyll & Hyde M April 28, 1997 January 7, 2001 1,543[59] 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1997 Revival in 2013 (30 performances)
59. Barefoot in the Park P October 23, 1963 June 25, 1967 1,530[60] A Tony Award in 1964 Revival in 2006 (109 performances)
60. 42nd Street (2001 revival) M May 2, 2001 January 2, 2005 1,524[61] 2 Tony Awards in 2001, including Best Revival of a Musical
A Drama Desk Award in 2001, Outstanding Revival of a Musical		 Revival
Original production in 1980 (3,486 performances)
61. Dreamgirls M December 20, 1981 August 11, 1985 1,521[62] 6 Tony Awards in 1982
4 Drama Desk Awards in 1982
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1983		 Revivals in 1987 (177 performances) and 2001 (1 benefit performance)
62. Mame M May 24, 1966 January 3, 1970 1,508[63] 3 Tony Awards in 1966
Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album in 1967		 Revival in 1983 (41 performances)
63. Grease (1994 revival) M May 11, 1994 January 25, 1998 1,505[64] Revival
Original production in 1972 (3,388 performances) and revival in 2007 (554 performances)
64. Same Time, Next Year P March 14, 1975 September 3, 1978 1,453[65] A Tony Award in 1975
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1975, including Outstanding Play
65. Arsenic and Old Lace P January 10, 1941 June 17, 1944 1,444[66] Revival in 1986 (221 performances)
66. The Sound of Music M November 16, 1959 June 15, 1963 1,443[67] 5 Tony Awards in 1960, including Best Musical
Grammy Award for Best Show Album (Original Cast) in 1961		 Revival in 1998 (533 performances)
67. Me and My Girl M August 10, 1986 December 31, 1989 1,420[68] 3 Tony Awards in 1987
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1987
68. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying M October 14, 1961 March 6, 1965 1,417[69] 7 Tony Awards in 1962, including Best Musical
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1962
Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Show Album in 1962		 Revivals in 1995 (548 performances) and 2011 (473 performances)
69. Hellzapoppin R September 22, 1938 December 17, 1941 1,404[70]
70. The Music Man M December 19, 1957 April 15, 1961 1,375[71] 6 Tony Awards in 1958, including Best Musical
Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album (Broadway or TV) in 1959		 Revivals in 1980 (21 performances), 2000 (699 performances), and 2020
71. Dear Evan Hansen M December 4, 2016 1,363[72] 6 Tony Awards in 2017, including Best Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2018		 Currently running at the Music Box Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
72. Funny Girl M March 26, 1964 July 1, 1967 1,348[73] Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album in 1965 Revival in 2002 (1 benefit performance)
73. Mummenschanz S March 30, 1977 April 20, 1980 1,326[74] Broadway's longest-running special
74. Oh! Calcutta! R June 17, 1969 August 12, 1972 1,314[75] Original production
Revival in 1976 (5,959 performances)
75. Billy Elliot the Musical M November 13, 2008 January 8, 2012 1,312[76] 10 Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical
10 Drama Desk Awards in 2009, including Outstanding Musical
76. School of Rock M December 6, 2015 January 20, 2019 1,309[77]
77. Movin' Out D October 24, 2002 December 11, 2005 1,303[78] 2 Tony Awards in 2003
A Drama Desk Award in 2003
78. Brighton Beach Memoirs P March 27, 1983 May 11, 1986 1,299[79] A Tony Award in 1983 Revival in 2009 (9 performances)
79. Angel Street P December 5, 1941 December 30, 1944 1,295[80] Revivals in 1948 (14 performances) and 1975 (52 performances)
80. Lightnin' P August 26, 1918 August 27, 1921 1,291[81] First ever production with 1000+ performances
Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
81. Promises, Promises M December 1, 1968 January 1, 1972 1,281[82] 2 Tony Awards in 1969
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1969
Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album in 1970		 Revival in 2010 (289 performances)
82. Come from Away M March 12, 2017 1,251[83] A Tony Award in 2017
3 Drama Desk Awards in 2017, including Outstanding Musical		 Currently running at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Performances suspended during COVID-19 pandemic
83. The King and I M March 29, 1951 March 20, 1954 1,246[84] 5 Tony Awards in 1952, including Best Musical Revivals in 1977 (695 performances), 1985 (191 performances), 1996 (780 performances), and 2015 (499 performances)
84. Cactus Flower P December 8, 1965 November 23, 1968 1,234[85]
85. Sleuth P November 12, 1970 October 13, 1973 1,222[86] A Tony Award in 1971, Best Play
Torch Song Trilogy P June 10, 1982 May 19, 1985 1,222[87] 2 Tony Awards in 1983, including Best Play
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1983, including Outstanding Play		 Revival in 2018 (77 performances)
87. 1776 M March 16, 1969 February 13, 1972 1,217[88] 3 Tony Awards in 1969, including Best Musical
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1969		 Revival in 1997 (333 performances)
88. Equus P October 24, 1974 October 2, 1977 1,209[89] 2 Tony Awards in 1975, including Best Play
4 Drama Desk Awards in 1975, including Outstanding Play		 Revival in 2008 (156 performances)
89. Sugar Babies R October 8, 1979 August 28, 1982 1,208[90]
90. Guys and Dolls M November 24, 1950 November 28, 1953 1,200[91] 5 Tony Awards in 1951, including Best Musical Revivals in 1955 (16 performances), 1965 (15 performances), 1976 (239 performances), 1992 (1,143 performances), and 2009 (121 performances)
91. In the Heights M March 30, 2008 January 9, 2011 1,184[92] 4 Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2009
92. Amadeus P December 17, 1980 October 16, 1983 1,181[93] 5 Tony Awards in 1981, including Best Play
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1981, including Outstanding Play		 Revival in 1999 (173 performances)
93. Once M March 18, 2012 January 4, 2015 1,168[94] 8 Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical
4 Drama Desk Awards in 2012, including Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2013
94. Cabaret M November 20, 1966 September 6, 1969 1,165[95] 8 Tony Awards in 1967, including Best Musical
Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album in 1968		 Revivals in 1987 (261 performances), 1998 (2,377 performances), and 2014 (388 performances)
Memphis M October 19, 2009 August 5, 2012 1,165[96] 4 Tony Awards in 2010, including Best Musical
4 Drama Desk Awards in 2010, including Outstanding Musical
96. Mister Roberts P February 18, 1948 January 6, 1951 1,157[97] 5 Tony Awards in 1948, including Best Play
97. Annie Get Your Gun M May 16, 1946 February 12, 1949 1,147[98] Revivals in 1966 (78 performances) and 1999 (1,045 performances)
Oldest 1000+ original to be joined by 1000+ revival
98. Guys and Dolls (1992 revival) M April 14, 1992 January 8, 1995 1,143[99] 4 Tony Awards in 1992, including Best Revival of a Musical
7 Drama Desk Awards in 1992, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1993		 Revival
Original production in 1950 (1,200 performances) and revivals in 1955 (16 performances), 1965 (15 performances), 1976 (239 performances), and 2009 (121 performances)
99. The Seven Year Itch P November 20, 1952 August 13, 1955 1,141[100] A Tony Award in 1953
100. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee M May 2, 2005 January 20, 2008 1,136[101] 2 Tony Awards in 2005
3 Drama Desk Awards in 2005
101. Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk D April 25, 1996 January 10, 1999 1,135[102] 4 Tony Awards in 1996
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1996
102. Butterflies Are Free P October 21, 1969 July 2, 1972 1,128[103] A Tony Award in 1970
103. Pins and Needles R November 27, 1937 June 22, 1940 1,108[104]
104. Plaza Suite P February 14, 1968 October 3, 1970 1,097[105] A Tony Award in 1968 Revival in 2020
105. Fosse D January 14, 1999 August 25, 2001 1,093[106] 3 Tony Awards in 1999, including Best Musical
A Drama Desk Award in 1999
106. They're Playing Our Song M February 11, 1979 September 6, 1981 1,082[107]
107. Kiss Me, Kate M December 30, 1948 July 28, 1951 1,077[108] 5 Tony Awards in 1949, including Best Musical Revivals in 1952 (8 performances), 1999 (881 performances), and 2019 (125 performances)
First show to win the Tony Award for Best Musical, among other Tony awards
108. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark M June 14, 2011 January 4, 2014 1,066[109] Most expensive production in Broadway history
109. Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope R April 19, 1972 October 27, 1974 1,065[110] 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1972
Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album in 1973
110. The Pajama Game M May 13, 1954 November 24, 1956 1,063[111] 3 Tony Awards in 1955, including Best Musical Revivals in 1973 (65 performances) and 2006 (129 performances)
111. Shenandoah M January 7, 1975 August 7, 1977 1,050[112] 2 Tony Awards in 1975
2 Drama Desk Awards in 1975		 Revival in 1989 (32 performances)
112. Annie Get Your Gun (1999 revival) M March 4, 1999 September 1, 2001 1,045[113] 2 Tony Awards in 1999, including Best Revival of a Musical
A Drama Desk Award in 1999
A Special Drama Desk Award in 2001 for Reba McEntire
Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2000		 Revival
Original production in 1946 (1,147 performances) and revival in 1966 (78 performances)
113. The Teahouse of the August Moon P October 15, 1953 March 24, 1956 1,027[114] 3 Tony Awards in 1954, including Best Play
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1954
114. Les Misérables (2014 revival) M March 23, 2014 September 4, 2016 1,024[115] Revival
Original production in 1987 (6,680 performances) and revival in 2006 (463 performances)
115. Damn Yankees M May 5, 1955 October 12, 1957 1,019[116] 7 Tony Awards in 1956, including Best Musical Revival in 1994 (533 performances)
116. Grand Hotel M November 12, 1989 April 25, 1992 1,017[117] 5 Tony Awards in 1990
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1990
117. Contact D March 30, 2000 September 1, 2002 1,010[118] 4 Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Musical
4 Drama Desk Awards in 2000, including Outstanding Musical
118. Never Too Late P November 27, 1962 April 24, 1965 1,007[119]
119. Beatlemania M May 31, 1977 October 17, 1979 1,006[120]
120. Big River M April 25, 1985 September 20, 1987 1,005[121] 7 Tony Awards in 1985, including Best Musical
7 Drama Desk Awards in 1985		 Revival in 2003 (67 performances)
121. Newsies M March 29, 2012 August 24, 2014 1,004[122] 2 Tony Awards in 2012
2 Drama Desk Awards in 2012

Timeline of longest-running Broadway shows

This is a list of shows that have held the record for being the longest-running show (including straight plays and musicals) on Broadway since 1853. A few probable longest-running plays prior to 1853 are also listed.

Not included below is the 1976 revival of the revue Oh! Calcutta!, which briefly overtook A Chorus Line as the Broadway show which had played the most performances, even though A Chorus Line had opened more than a year earlier and was still playing. Oh! Calcutta! achieved this distinction by playing more than the standard eight performances per week.[123] A Chorus Line retook the record for most performances after Oh! Calcutta! closed.

The longest running off-Broadway musical to date is The Fantasticks, which starred Jerry Orbach. When it closed on January 13, 2002, it had run for 42 years and 17,162 performances, making it the world's longest-running musical. The current longest-running musical on Broadway is The Phantom of the Opera, which opened in 1988 and played its 10,000th performance in 2012.[124]

M denotes a musical and P denotes a straight play.

Took lead Title Type Opening
date		 Closing
date		 Performances Comments/Notes
2006-01-09January 9, 2006[125] The Phantom of the Opera M 1988-01-26January 26, 1988 13,370[126] Currently running at the Majestic Theatre
7 Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical
7 Drama Desk Awards in 1988
Broadway's longest-running show and musical
1997-06-19June 19, 1997[127] Cats M 1982-10-07October 7, 1982 2000-09-09September 10, 2000 7,485[128] 7 Tony Awards in 1983, including Best Musical
3 Drama Desk Awards in 1983
Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1984
1983-09-29September 29, 1983[129] A Chorus Line M 1975-07-25July 25, 1975 1990-04-28April 28, 1990 6,137[130] 9 Tony Awards in 1976, including Best Musical
5 Drama Desk Awards in 1976, including Outstanding Musical
A Special Tony Award in 1984 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical
Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976
Revival in 2006 (759 performances)
1979-12-08December 8, 1979[131] Grease M 1972-02-14February 14, 1972 1980-04-13April 13, 1980 3,388[132] 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1972
Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
1972-06-17June 17, 1972[133] Fiddler on the Roof M 1964-09-22September 22, 1964 1972-07-02July 2, 1972 3,242[134] Became longest running musical in July 1971, at 2,845 performances passing 2,844 mark of Hello Dolly!.[135]

9 Tony Awards in 1965, including Best Musical
A Special Tony Award in 1972 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical
Revivals in 1976 (167 performances), 1981 (53 performances), 1990, (241 performances), 2004 (781 performances), and 2015 (431 performances)

1947-06-14June 14, 1947[136] Life with Father P 1939-11-08November 8, 1939 1947-07-12July 12, 1947 3,224[137] Broadway's longest-running straight play. Started at Empire Theatre, moved to the Bijou Theatre in 1945, and finished up its run in 1947 at the Alvin Theatre.
1939-06-01June 1939[138] Tobacco Road P 1933-12-04December 4, 1933 1941-05-31May 31, 1941 3,182[139] Revivals in 1942 (34 performances), 1943 (66 performances), and 1950 (7 performances)
1925-05-23May 23, 1925[140] Abie's Irish Rose P 1923-05-23May 23, 1923 1927-10-1October 1, 1927 2,327[141] Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
1920-03-17March 17, 1920[142][143][144] Lightnin' P 1918-08-26August 26, 1918 1921-08-27August 27, 1921 1,291[145] Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
1893-06-22June 22, 1893[146] A Trip to Chinatown M 1891-11-09November 9, 1891 1893-08-07August 7, 1893 657[147]
1885-12-01December 1885[148] Adonis M 1884-09-04September 4, 1884 1886-04-17April 17, 1886 603[149]
1881-05-01May 1881 Hazel Kirke P 1880-02-04February 4, 1880 1881-05-31May 31, 1881 486[150][151] 250th performance programme claimed play had exceeded number of consecutive performances of any "similar play" in the country on its 238th performance,[152] which is no doubt a reference to Pique (1875) which ran for 237 performances.[153]
1867-08-05August 5, 1867[154] The Black Crook M 1866-09-12September 12, 1866 1868-01-04January 4, 1868 474[155] First Broadway show to run for over one year.[156] In terms of a "musical", The Seven Sisters (1860–61, 253 perf.), was probably the longest running show closest to a "musical" prior to this.[157]
1853-10-011853[158] Uncle Tom's Cabin (Aiken version) P 1853-08-23August 8, 1853 1854-05-13May 13, 1854 325[159] Has generally been classified as a play, though some arguments have been made that it was a musical. Played at the National Theatre.[160][161][162]
1850-01-011850 The Drunkard P 1850-01-011850 1850-10-07October 7, 1850? 100[163] As of October 7, 1850, it hit 100 consecutive performances in New York, the first play to do so.[164] At Barnum's American Museum. It debuted in 1844 outside New York at the Boston Museum.
1844-09-24September 24, 1844 Putnam, the Iron Son of '76 P 1844-08-05August 5, 1844 1844-11-02November 2, 1844 78[165][166] At the Bowery Theatre. If Mazeppa ran 43 nights in 1833 and was previous record, Putnam became most performed on its 44th performance on September 24, 1844.
1833-08-091833 Mazeppa, Or, The Wild Horse of Ukraine P 1833-06-22July 22, 1833 1833-09-09September 9, 1833 43[167] At the Bowery Theatre with George Gale as Mazeppa.[168][169][170]
1831-01-281831 The Elephant of Siam and the Fire Fiend by Samuel Beazley P 1831-01-10January 10, 1831 1831? 18[170] At the Bowery Theatre, the first season under Thomas S. Hamblin, who embraced melodramas which might support longer runs. The Elephant of Siam featured the elephant Mademoiselle D'Jeck, who of course needed to be used while available. The Water Witch, an adaption of a James Fenimore Cooper novel by Charles W. Taylor, which debuted on March 10, 1831 at the Bowery, also played for 18 performances.[170]

See also

References

Notes

  1. Paulson, Michael (March 12, 2020). "Broadway, Symbol of New York Resilience, Shuts Down Amid Virus Threat". The New York Times.
  2. The Phantom of the Opera at the Internet Broadway Database
  3. Chicago at the Internet Broadway Database
  4. The Lion King at the Internet Broadway Database
  5. Cats at the Internet Broadway Database
  6. Wicked at the Internet Broadway Database
  7. Les Misérables at the Internet Broadway Database
  8. A Chorus Line at the Internet Broadway Database
  9. Oh! Calcutta at the Internet Broadway Database
  10. Mamma Mia! at the Internet Broadway Database
  11. Beauty and the Beast at the Internet Broadway Database
  12. Rent at the Internet Broadway Database
  13. Jersey Boys at the Internet Broadway Database
  14. Miss Saigon at the Internet Broadway Database
  15. The Book of Mormon at the Internet Broadway Database
  16. 42nd Street at the Internet Broadway Database
  17. Grease at the Internet Broadway Database
  18. Fiddler on the Roof at the Internet Broadway Database
  19. Life with Father at the Internet Broadway Database
  20. Tobacco Road at the Internet Broadway Database
  21. Hello, Dolly! at the Internet Broadway Database
  22. My Fair Lady at the Internet Broadway Database
  23. Hairspray at the Internet Broadway Database
  24. Mary Poppins at the Internet Broadway Database
  25. Avenue Q at the Internet Broadway Database
  26. Aladdin at the Internet Broadway Database
  27. Kinky Boots at the Internet Broadway Database
  28. The Producers at the Internet Broadway Database
  29. Beautiful The Carole King Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
  30. Annie at the Internet Broadway Database
  31. Cabaret at the Internet Broadway Database
  32. Man of La Mancha at the Internet Broadway Database
  33. Rock of Ages at the Internet Broadway Database
  34. Abie's Irish Rose at the Internet Broadway Database
  35. Oklahoma! at the Internet Broadway Database
  36. Smokey Joe's Cafe at the Internet Broadway Database
  37. Pippin at the Internet Broadway Database
  38. South Pacific at the Internet Broadway Database
  39. The Magic Show at the Internet Broadway Database
  40. Hamilton at the Internet Broadway Database
  41. Aida at the Internet Broadway Database
  42. Gemini at the Internet Broadway Database
  43. Deathtrap at the Internet Broadway Database
  44. Harvey at the Internet Broadway Database
  45. Dancin' at the Internet Broadway Database
  46. La Cage aux Folles at the Internet Broadway Database
  47. Hair at the Internet Broadway Database
  48. The Wiz at the Internet Broadway Database
  49. Born Yesterday at the Internet Broadway Database
  50. Crazy for You at the Internet Broadway Database
  51. Ain't Misbehavin' at the Internet Broadway Database
  52. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the Internet Broadway Database
  53. Spamalot at the Internet Broadway Database
  54. Mary, Mary at the Internet Broadway Database
  55. Evita at the Internet Broadway Database
  56. The Voice of the Turtle at the Internet Broadway Database
  57. Matilda The Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
  58. Waitress at the Internet Broadway Database
  59. Jekyll & Hyde at the Internet Broadway Database
  60. Barefoot in the Park at the Internet Broadway Database
  61. 42nd Street at the Internet Broadway Database
  62. Dreamgirls at the Internet Broadway Database
  63. Mame at the Internet Broadway Database
  64. Grease at the Internet Broadway Database
  65. Same Time, Next Year at the Internet Broadway Database
  66. Arsenic and Old Lace at the Internet Broadway Database
  67. The Sound of Music at the Internet Broadway Database
  68. Me and My Girl at the Internet Broadway Database
  69. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Internet Broadway Database
  70. Hellzapoppin' at the Internet Broadway Database
  71. The Music Man at the Internet Broadway Database
  72. Dear Evan Hansen at the Internet Broadway Database
  73. Funny Girl at the Internet Broadway Database
  74. Mummenschanz at the Internet Broadway Database
  75. Oh! Calcutta! at the Internet Broadway Database
  76. Billy Elliot the Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
  77. School of Rock – The Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
  78. Movin' Out at the Internet Broadway Database
  79. Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Internet Broadway Database
  80. Angel Street at the Internet Broadway Database
  81. Lightnin' at the Internet Broadway Database
  82. Promises, Promises at the Internet Broadway Database
  83. Come From Away at the Internet Broadway Database
  84. The King and I at the Internet Broadway Database
  85. Cactus Flower at the Internet Broadway Database
  86. Sleuth at the Internet Broadway Database
  87. Torch Song Trilogy at the Internet Broadway Database
  88. 1776 at the Internet Broadway Database
  89. Equus at the Internet Broadway Database
  90. Sugar Babies at the Internet Broadway Database
  91. Guys and Dolls at the Internet Broadway Database
  92. In the Heights at the Internet Broadway Database
  93. Amadeus at the Internet Broadway Database
  94. Once at the Internet Broadway Database
  95. Cabaret at the Internet Broadway Database
  96. Memphis at the Internet Broadway Database
  97. Mister Roberts at the Internet Broadway Database
  98. Annie Get Your Gun at the Internet Broadway Database
  99. Guys and Dolls at the Internet Broadway Database
  100. The Seven Year Itch at the Internet Broadway Database
  101. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Internet Broadway Database
  102. Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk at the Internet Broadway Database
  103. Butterflies Are Free at the Internet Broadway Database
  104. Pins and Needles at the Internet Broadway Database
  105. Plaza Suite at the Internet Broadway Database
  106. Fosse at the Internet Broadway Database
  107. They're Playing Our Song at the Internet Broadway Database
  108. Kiss Me, Kate at the Internet Broadway Database
  109. Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark at the Internet Broadway Database
  110. Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope at the Internet Broadway Database
  111. The Pajama Game at the Internet Broadway Database
  112. Shenandoah at the Internet Broadway Database
  113. Annie Get Your Gun at the Internet Broadway Database
  114. The Teahouse of the August Moon at the Internet Broadway Database
  115. Les Misérables at the Internet Broadway Database
  116. Damn Yankees at the Internet Broadway Database
  117. Grand Hotel at the Internet Broadway Database
  118. Contact at the Internet Broadway Database
  119. Never Too Late at the Internet Broadway Database
  120. Beatlemania at the Internet Broadway Database
  121. Big River at the Internet Broadway Database
  122. Newsies The Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
  123. Rich, Frank (August 8, 1989). "Critic's Notebook; The Asterisks of 'Oh! Calcutta!'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  124. "The World’s Longest-Running Musical Started Small – and Stayed Small", Time magazine
  125. (January 6, 2006). ‘Phantom’ set to outlive ‘Cats’, Associated Press
  126. The Phantom of the Opera at the Internet Broadway Database
  127. (June 19, 1997). With 6,138 Lives, 'Cats' Sets Broadway Mark, The New York Times
  128. Cats at the Internet Broadway Database
  129. rothstein, Mervyn (April 30, 1990). After 15 Years (15!), 'A Chorus Line' Ends, The New York Times
  130. A Chorus Line at the Internet Broadway Database
  131. (December 8, 1979). 'Grease' hits top of Broadway list, Associated Press
  132. Grease at the Internet Broadway Database
  133. (June 19, 1972). Fiddler on the Roof longest running show, Ottawa Citizen (Associated Press)
  134. Fiddler on the Roof at the Internet Broadway Database
  135. (July 21, 1971). 'Fiddler on the Roof' longest run musical on Broadway, Associated Press
  136. (June 13, 1947). 'Life With Father' - A Broadway Record, The Milwaukee Journal
  137. Life with Father at the Internet Broadway Database
  138. (November 18, 1939). If Any Record Is Left, Play Breaks It Tonight, Milwaukee Journal (reporting that on November 18, 1939, Tobacco Road had 2,533rd performance, beating 2,532 mark that was being used as record for Abie's Irish Rose, though it had been discovered that number included over 200 non-Broadway performances, so that record had been made 5 months prior)
  139. Tobacco Road at the Internet Broadway Database
  140. (May 24, 1925). 'Abie's Irish Rose' Makes Record Run. Its 1,292d Performance, One More Than "Lightnin'," Is America's Highest Score, The New York Times
  141. Abie's Irish Rose at the Internet Broadway Database
  142. (March 18, 1920). Lightnin' Breaks Record. Reaches 658th Performance, Eclipsing Long Run of Hoyt Farce, The New York Times
  143. (May 1920). , Munsey's Magazine, p. 730 (" 'Lightnin' has now broken the record of 'A Trip to Chinatown' for the longest consecutive New York run ...")
  144. Theatre Week (1990) (noting that at start of World War I, A Trip To Chinatown still held the record, which was beat by Lightnin after the war)
  145. Lightnin' at the Internet Broadway Database
  146. (July 1893). The Stage, Munsey's Magazine (reporting that A Trip to Chinatown had 604th performance on June 22, 1893)
  147. A Trip to Chinatown at the Internet Broadway Database
  148. (November 22, 1885). The Stage and Box Office, The New York Times (reporting that with 35 more performances, Adonis will bypass Hazel Kirke run of 486 performances)
  149. Adonis at the Internet Broadway Database
  150. Hazel Kirke at the Internet Broadway Database
  151. The Oxford Companion to American Theatre, p. 298 (Hazel Kirke at 486 performances was longest run of its time of any nonmusical play)
  152. Hazel Kirke: 250th performance programme (1880)
  153. The Cambridge History of American Theatre, Vol. II, p. 239 (1999)
  154. (August 5, 1867). Black Crook advertisement, New York Tribune, p. 7 col. 3 (advertisement for 326th performance of The Black Crook on August 5, 1867; no recognition at this time that it was likely the longest)
  155. The Black Crook at the Internet Broadway Database
  156. Steyn, Mark. Broadway Babies Say Goodnight: Musicals Then and Now, p. 3 (1997)
  157. Allen, Robert C. (c. 1991). Horrible prettiness: burlesque and American culture. University of North Carolina. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8078-1960-9.
  158. Uncle Tom's Cabin, New York Dramatic Mirror (December 1905)
  159. Some Long Theatrical Runs, The World Almanac and Encyclopedia 1903, p. 269 (1902)
  160. (November 17, 1853). Uncle Tom's Cabin, The New York Times (notes that 116 performances had been held to that point)
  161. (February 23, 1854). Uncle Tom's Cabin, The New York Times (reported that 230th performance would be that evening)
  162. (June 19, 1854). Uncle Tom's Cabin (advertisement), The New York Times (announcing revival of play "as performed at the National Theatre 325 consecutive times")
  163. The Drunkard as a Drama of the Temperance Movement, p. 3 (1995)
  164. Culture, Genre, and Literary Vocation: Selected Essays on American Literature, p. 108 (2001)
  165. The Cambridge Guide To Theatre, p. 76 (1995)
  166. Ireland, Joseph, Records of the New York stage, from 1750 to 1860, pp. 417, 438
  167. Granqvist, Raoul. Imitation as Resistance: Appropriations of English Literature in Nineteenth-Century America, p. 170 (stating that Mazeppa ran at the Bowery Theatre for 48 consecutive nights)
  168. (August 31, 1833). Amusements, New York Evening Post, p. 3, col. 5 (advertisement stating that evening will be 35th presentation of Mazeppa)
  169. (September 9, 1833). Amusements, p. 3, col. 5 (announcing that Mazeppa will be performed that night "For the Benefit of Mr. Gale", appears to have been final consecutive performance)
  170. Shank, Theodore J. (1959). "Theatre for the Majority: Its Influence on a Nineteenth Century American Theatre". Educational Theatre Journal. 11 (3): 188–199. doi:10.2307/3204801. JSTOR 3204801. See p. 196, noting that Mazeppa had 43 performances; Elephant of Siam and the Water Witch in 1831 had 18 each.

Further reading
  • Laufe, Abe. Anatomy of a Hit: Long-Run Plays on Broadway from 1900 to the Present Day. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1966.
  • Schildcrout, Jordan. In the Long Run: A Cultural History of Broadway's Hit Plays. New York and London: Routledge, 2019.
  • Sheward, David. It's a Hit!: The Back Stage Book of Longest-Running Broadway Shows, 1884 to the Present. New York: Back Stage Books, 1994
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