Jump to content

List of the longest-running Broadway shows

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Phantom of the Opera ran at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway from 1988 to 2023.

This is a list of Broadway shows with 1,000 or more performances, sorted by number of performances. Eleven shows currently running on Broadway have at least 1,000 performances: the 1996 revival of Chicago, The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge!, Six, and MJ the Musical.

List

[edit]

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 dance show, and S denotes a special show or event. Totals current through October 27, 2024.

Rank Title Type Performances Opening date Closing date Awards Additional information
1 The Phantom of the Opera M 13,981[1] January 26, 1988 April 16, 2023
  • Broadway's longest-running show and musical
  • First ever Broadway production with total performances to achieve each additional 1,000 performance increment from 8,000+ through 13,000+
2 Chicago (1996 revival) M 10,977[2] November 14, 1996
  • Currently running at the Ambassador Theatre (venue since 2003)
  • Broadway's longest running current show and musical
  • Broadway's longest running revival
  • Original production in 1975 (936 performances)
  • Longest running show to have premiered on Broadway
  • Broadway's longest running American show
3 The Lion King M 10,599[3] November 13, 1997
4 Wicked M 8,136[4] October 30, 2003
5 Cats M 7,485[5] October 7, 1982 September 10, 2000
  • First ever Broadway production with 7,000+ performances
  • Revival in 2016 (593 performances)
6 Les Misérables M 6,680[6] March 12, 1987 May 18, 2003
  • Revivals in 2006 (463 performances) and 2014 (1,024 performances)
7 A Chorus Line M 6,137[7] July 25, 1975 April 28, 1990
  • First ever Broadway production with 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000+ performances
  • Revival in 2006 (759 performances)
8 Oh! Calcutta! (1976 revival) R 5,959[8] September 24, 1976 August 6, 1989
  • 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 5,758[9] October 18, 2001 September 12, 2015
10 Beauty and the Beast M 5,461[10] April 18, 1994 July 29, 2007
11 Rent M 5,123[11] April 29, 1996 September 7, 2008
12 The Book of Mormon M 4,991[12] March 24, 2011
13 Jersey Boys M 4,642[13] November 6, 2005 January 15, 2017
14 Miss Saigon M 4,092[14] April 11, 1991 January 28, 2001
  • Revival in 2017 (340 performances)
15 Aladdin M 3,763[15] March 20, 2014
16 42nd Street M 3,486[16] August 25, 1980 January 8, 1989
  • Revival in 2001 (1,524 performances)
17 Grease M 3,388[17] February 14, 1972 April 13, 1980
  • Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
18 Fiddler on the Roof M 3,242[18] September 22, 1964 July 2, 1972
  • Revivals in 1976 (167 performances), 1981 (53 performances), 1990 (241 performances), 2004 (781 performances), and 2015 (431 performances)
19 Life with Father P 3,224[19] November 8, 1939 July 12, 1947
  • Broadway's longest-running straight play
20 Hamilton M 3,205[20] August 6, 2015
21 Tobacco Road P 3,182[21] December 4, 1933 May 31, 1941
  • First ever Broadway production with 3,000+ performances
  • Revivals in 1942 (34 performances), 1943 (66 performances), and 1950 (7 performances)
22 Hello, Dolly! M 2,844[22] January 16, 1964 December 27, 1970
  • Revivals in 1975 (42 performances), 1978 (147 performances), 1995 (116 performances), and 2017 (550 performances)
23 My Fair Lady M 2,717[23] March 15, 1956 September 29, 1962
  • Revivals in 1976 (377 performances), 1981 (120 performances), 1993 (165 performances), and 2018 (509 performances)
24 Hairspray M 2,642[24] August 15, 2002 January 4, 2009
25 Mary Poppins M 2,619[25] November 16, 2006 March 3, 2013
26 Avenue Q M 2,534[26] July 31, 2003 September 13, 2009
27 Kinky Boots M 2,505[27] April 4, 2013 April 7, 2019
28 The Producers M 2,502[28] April 19, 2001 April 22, 2007
  • Currently holds the record of Broadway production with the most Tony Award wins, winning 12.
29 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical M 2,416[29] January 12, 2014 October 27, 2019
30 Annie M 2,377[30] April 21, 1977 January 2, 1983
  • Revivals in 1997 (239 performances) and 2012 (487 performances)
Cabaret (1998 revival) M 2,377[31] March 19, 1998 January 4, 2004
  • Original production in 1966 (1,165 performances) and revivals in 1987 (261 performances), 2014 (388 performances), and 2024 (216 performances, currently running at the August Wilson Theatre)
32 Man of La Mancha M 2,328[32] November 22, 1965 June 26, 1971
  • Revivals in 1972 (140 performances), 1977 (124 performances), 1992 (108 performances), and 2002 (304 performances)
Rock of Ages M 2,328[33] April 7, 2009 January 18, 2015
34 Abie's Irish Rose P 2,327[34] May 23, 1922 October 1, 1927
  • First ever Broadway production with 2,000+ performances
  • Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
35 Oklahoma! M 2,212[35] March 31, 1943 May 29, 1948
  • Revivals in 1951 (100 performances), 1953 (40 performances), 1979 (293 performances), 2002 (388 performances), and 2019 (328 performances)
36 Smokey Joe's Cafe R 2,036[36] March 2, 1995 January 16, 2000
  • Broadway's longest running original music revue. The longest running musical revue, Oh! Calcutta!, was a revival.
37 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child P 1,977[37] April 22, 2018
38 Pippin M 1,944[38] October 23, 1972 June 12, 1977
  • Revival in 2013 (709 performances)
39 South Pacific M 1,925[39] April 7, 1949 January 16, 1954
  • 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.
40 The Magic Show M 1,920[40] May 28, 1974 December 31, 1978
41 Aida M 1,852[41] March 23, 2000 September 5, 2004
42 Gemini P 1,819[42] May 21, 1977 September 6, 1981
43 Deathtrap P 1,793[43] February 26, 1978 June 13, 1982
44 Harvey P 1,775[44] November 1, 1944 January 15, 1949
  • Revival in 1970 (79 performances) and 2012 (62 performances)
45 Dancin' D 1,774[45] March 27, 1978 June 27, 1982
  • Revival in 2023 (65 performances)
  • Broadway's longest-running dance musical
46 La Cage aux Folles M 1,761[46] August 21, 1983 November 15, 1987
  • Revivals in 2004 (229 performances) and 2010 (433 performances)
47 Hair M 1,750[47] April 29, 1968 July 1, 1972
  • Revivals in 1977 (43 performances), 2004 (1 benefit performance), 2009 (519 performances), and 2011 (67 performances)
48 Hadestown M 1,678[48] April 17, 2019
50 Dear Evan Hansen M 1,672[49] December 4, 2016 September 18, 2022
The Wiz M 1,672[50] January 5, 1975 January 28, 1979
  • Revivals in 1984 (13 performances) and 2024 (142 performances)
51 Come from Away M 1,669[51] March 12, 2017 October 2, 2022
52 Born Yesterday P 1,642[52] February 4, 1946 December 31, 1949
  • Revivals in 1989 (153 performances) and 2011 (73 performances)
53 Crazy for You M 1,622[53] February 19, 1992 January 7, 1996
54 Ain't Misbehavin' R 1,604[54] May 9, 1978 February 21, 1982
  • Revival in 1988 (176 performances)
55 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas M 1,584[55] June 19, 1978 March 27, 1982
  • Revivals in 1982 (63 performances) and 2006 (1 benefit performance)
56 Spamalot M 1,575[56] March 17, 2005 January 11, 2009
  • Revival in 2023 (164 performances)
57 Mary, Mary P 1,572[57] March 8, 1961 December 12, 1964
58 Evita M 1,567[58] September 25, 1979 June 26, 1983
  • Revival in 2012 (337 performances)
59 The Voice of the Turtle P 1,557[59] December 8, 1943 January 3, 1948
60 Matilda the Musical M 1,554[60] April 11, 2013 January 1, 2017
61 Waitress M 1,544[61] April 24, 2016 January 5, 2020
  • Revival in 2021 (122 performances)
62 Jekyll & Hyde M 1,543[62] April 28, 1997 January 7, 2001
  • Revival in 2013 (30 performances)
63 Barefoot in the Park P 1,530[63] October 23, 1963 June 25, 1967
  • Revival in 2006 (109 performances)
64 Moulin Rouge! M 1,529[64] July 25, 2019
65 42nd Street (2001 revival) M 1,524[65] May 2, 2001 January 2, 2005
  • Original production in 1980 (3,486 performances)
66 Dreamgirls M 1,521[66] December 20, 1981 August 11, 1985
  • Revivals in 1987 (177 performances) and 2001 (1 benefit performance)
67 Mame M 1,508[67] May 24, 1966 January 3, 1970
  • Revival in 1983 (41 performances)
68 Grease (1994 revival) M 1,505[68] May 11, 1994 January 25, 1998
  • Original production in 1972 (3,388 performances) and revival in 2007 (554 performances)
69 Same Time, Next Year P 1,453[69] March 14, 1975 September 3, 1978
70 Arsenic and Old Lace P 1,444[70] January 10, 1941 June 17, 1944
  • Revival in 1986 (221 performances)
71 The Sound of Music M 1,443[71] November 16, 1959 June 15, 1963
  • Revival in 1998 (533 performances)
72 Me and My Girl M 1,420[72] August 10, 1986 December 31, 1989
73 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying M 1,417[73] October 14, 1961 March 6, 1965
  • Revivals in 1995 (548 performances) and 2011 (473 performances)
74 Hellzapoppin R 1,404[74] September 22, 1938 December 17, 1941
75 The Music Man M 1,375[75] December 19, 1957 April 15, 1961
  • Revivals in 1980 (21 performances), 2000 (699 performances), and 2022 (373 performances)
76 Funny Girl M 1,348[76] March 26, 1964 July 1, 1967
  • Revivals in 2002 (1 benefit performance) and 2022 (569 performances)
77 Mummenschanz S 1,326[77] March 30, 1977 April 20, 1980
  • Broadway's longest-running special
78 Oh! Calcutta! R 1,314[78] June 17, 1969 August 12, 1972
  • Original production
  • Revival in 1976 (5,959 performances)
79 Billy Elliot the Musical M 1,312[79] November 13, 2008 January 8, 2012
80 School of Rock M 1,309[80] December 6, 2015 January 20, 2019
81 Movin' Out D 1,303[81] October 24, 2002 December 11, 2005
82 Brighton Beach Memoirs P 1,299[82] March 27, 1983 May 11, 1986
  • Revival in 2009 (9 performances)
83 Angel Street P 1,295[83] December 5, 1941 December 30, 1944
  • Revivals in 1948 (14 performances) and 1975 (52 performances)
84 Lightnin' P 1,291[84] August 26, 1918 August 27, 1921
  • First ever Broadway production with 1,000+ performances
  • Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
85 Promises, Promises M 1,281[85] December 1, 1968 January 1, 1972
  • Revival in 2010 (289 performances)
86 Six M 1,265[86] October 3, 2021
87 The King and I M 1,246[87] March 29, 1951 March 20, 1954
  • Revivals in 1977 (695 performances), 1985 (191 performances), 1996 (780 performances), and 2015 (499 performances)
88 Cactus Flower P 1,234[88] December 8, 1965 November 23, 1968
89 Sleuth P 1,222[89] November 12, 1970 October 13, 1973
Torch Song Trilogy P 1,222[90] June 10, 1982 May 19, 1985
  • Revival in 2018 (77 performances)
91 1776 M 1,217[91] March 16, 1969 February 13, 1972
  • Revivals in 1997 (333 performances) and 2022 (105 performances)
92 Equus P 1,209[92] October 24, 1974 October 2, 1977
  • Revival in 2008 (156 performances)
93 Sugar Babies R 1,208[93] October 8, 1979 August 28, 1982
94 Guys and Dolls M 1,200[94] November 24, 1950 November 28, 1953
  • Revivals in 1955 (31 performances), 1965 (15 performances), 1976 (239 performances), 1992 (1,143 performances), and 2009 (121 performances)
95 In the Heights M 1,184[95] March 9, 2008 January 9, 2011
96 Amadeus P 1,181[96] December 17, 1980 October 16, 1983
  • Revival in 1999 (173 performances)
97 Once M 1,168[97] March 18, 2012 January 4, 2015
98 Cabaret M 1,165[98] November 20, 1966 September 6, 1969
  • Revivals in 1987 (261 performances), 1998 (2,377 performances), 2014 (388 performances), and 2024 (216 performances, currently running at the August Wilson Theatre)
Memphis M 1,165[99] October 19, 2009 August 5, 2012
100 Mister Roberts P 1,157[100] February 18, 1948 January 6, 1951
101 Annie Get Your Gun M 1,147[101] May 16, 1946 February 12, 1949
  • Revivals in 1966 (78 performances) and 1999 (1,045 performances)
  • Oldest 1000+ original to be joined by 1000+ revival
102 Guys and Dolls (1992 revival) M 1,143[102] April 14, 1992 January 8, 1995
  • Original production in 1950 (1,200 performances) and revivals in 1955 (16 performances), 1965 (15 performances), 1976 (239 performances), and 2009 (121 performances)
103 MJ the Musical M 1,141[103] February 1, 2022
The Seven Year Itch P 1,141[104] November 20, 1952 August 13, 1955
105 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee M 1,136[105] May 2, 2005 January 20, 2008
106 Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk D 1,135[106] April 25, 1996 January 10, 1999
107 Butterflies Are Free P 1,128[107] October 21, 1969 July 2, 1972
108 Pins and Needles R 1,108[108] November 27, 1937 June 22, 1940
109 Plaza Suite P 1,097[109] February 14, 1968 October 3, 1970
  • Revival in 2022 (110 performances)
110 Fosse D 1,093[110] January 14, 1999 August 25, 2001
111 They're Playing Our Song M 1,082[111] February 11, 1979 September 6, 1981
112 Kiss Me, Kate M 1,077[112] December 30, 1948 July 28, 1951
  • 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
113 Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark M 1,066[113] June 14, 2011 January 4, 2014
  • Most expensive production in Broadway history
  • Longest preview period in Broadway history (182 previews)
114 Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope R 1,065[114] April 19, 1972 October 27, 1974
115 The Pajama Game M 1,063[115] May 13, 1954 November 24, 1956
  • Revivals in 1973 (65 performances) and 2006 (129 performances)
116 Shenandoah M 1,050[116] January 7, 1975 August 7, 1977
  • Revival in 1989 (32 performances)
117 Annie Get Your Gun (1999 revival) M 1,045[117] March 4, 1999 September 1, 2001
  • Original production in 1946 (1,147 performances) and revival in 1966 (78 performances)
118 The Teahouse of the August Moon P 1,027[118] October 15, 1953 March 24, 1956
119 Les Misérables (2014 revival) M 1,024[119] March 23, 2014 September 4, 2016
  • Original production in 1987 (6,680 performances) and revival in 2006 (463 performances)
120 Damn Yankees M 1,019[120] May 5, 1955 October 12, 1957
  • Revival in 1994 (533 performances)
121 Grand Hotel M 1,017[121] November 12, 1989 April 25, 1992
122 Contact D 1,010[122] March 30, 2000 September 1, 2002
123 Never Too Late P 1,007[123] November 27, 1962 April 24, 1965
124 Beatlemania M 1,006[124] May 31, 1977 October 17, 1979
125 Big River M 1,005[125] April 25, 1985 September 20, 1987
  • Revival in 2003 (67 performances)
126 Newsies M 1,004[126] March 29, 2012 August 24, 2014

Timeline of longest-running Broadway shows

[edit]
The Black Crook, which ran from 1866 to 1868, was the first Broadway show to run for over one year.[127]

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.[128] 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 final performance in 2023.[129]

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[130] The Phantom of the Opera M 1988-01-26January 26, 1988 2023-04-16April 16, 2023 13,981[1]
1997-06-19June 19, 1997[131] Cats M 1982-10-07October 7, 1982 2000-09-09September 10, 2000 7,485[5]
1983-09-29September 29, 1983[132] A Chorus Line M 1975-07-25July 25, 1975 1990-04-28April 28, 1990 6,137[7]
1979-12-08December 8, 1979[133] Grease M 1972-02-14February 14, 1972 1980-04-13April 13, 1980 3,388[17]
  • 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1972
  • Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
1972-06-17June 17, 1972[134] Fiddler on the Roof M 1964-09-22September 22, 1964 1972-07-02July 2, 1972 3,242[18]
  • 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[19]
1939-06-01June 1939[137] Tobacco Road P 1933-12-04December 4, 1933 1941-05-31May 31, 1941 3,182[21]
  • Revivals in 1942 (34 performances), 1943 (66 performances), and 1950 (7 performances)
1925-05-23May 23, 1925[138] Abie's Irish Rose P 1923-05-23May 23, 1923 1927-10-1October 1, 1927 2,327[34]
  • Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
1920-03-17March 17, 1920[139][140][141] Lightnin' P 1918-08-26August 26, 1918 1921-08-27August 27, 1921 1,291[84]
  • Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
1893-06-22June 22, 1893[142] A Trip to Chinatown M 1891-11-09November 9, 1891 1893-08-07August 7, 1893 657[143]
1885-12-01December 1885[144] Adonis M 1884-09-04September 4, 1884 1886-04-17April 17, 1886 603[145]
1881-05-01May 1881 Hazel Kirke P 1880-02-04February 4, 1880 1881-05-31May 31, 1881 486[146][147]
  • 250th performance programme claimed play had exceeded number of consecutive performances of any "similar play" in the country on its 238th performance,[148] which is no doubt a reference to Pique (1875) which ran for 237 performances.[149]
1867-08-05August 5, 1867[150] The Black Crook M 1866-09-12September 12, 1866 1868-01-04January 4, 1868 474[151]
  • First Broadway show to run for over one year.[127] 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.[152]
1853-10-011853[153] Uncle Tom's Cabin (Aiken version) P 1853-08-23August 8, 1853 1854-05-13May 13, 1854 325[154]
1850-01-011850 The Drunkard P 1850-01-011850 1850-10-07October 7, 1850? 100[158]
1844-09-24September 24, 1844 Putnam, the Iron Son of '76 P 1844-08-05August 5, 1844 1844-11-02November 2, 1844 78[160][161]
  • 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[162]
1831-01-281831 The Elephant of Siam and the Fire Fiend by Samuel Beazley P 1831-01-10January 10, 1831 1831? 18[165]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

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

Further reading

[edit]
  • 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