List of the longest-running Broadway shows

Last updated

The Phantom of the Opera ran at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway from 1988 to 2023. Majestic Theatre.jpg
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 , Hadestown , Hamilton , Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , Moulin Rouge! , Six , and MJ the Musical .

Contents

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 dance show, and S denotes a special show or event. Totals current through December 15, 2024.

RankTitleTypePerformancesOpening dateClosing dateAwardsAdditional information
1 The Phantom of the Opera M13,981 [1] January 26, 1988April 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)M11,033 [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 M10,655 [3] November 13, 1997
4 Wicked M8,192 [4] October 30, 2003
5 Cats M7,485 [5] October 7, 1982September 10, 2000
  • First ever Broadway production with 7,000+ performances
  • Revival in 2016 (593 performances)
6 Les Misérables M6,680 [6] March 12, 1987May 18, 2003
  • Revivals in 2006 (463 performances) and 2014 (1,024 performances)
7 A Chorus Line M6,137 [7] July 25, 1975April 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)R5,959 [8] September 24, 1976August 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! M5,758 [9] October 18, 2001September 12, 2015
10 Beauty and the Beast M5,461 [10] April 18, 1994July 29, 2007
11 Rent M5,123 [11] April 29, 1996September 7, 2008
12 The Book of Mormon M5,047 [12] March 24, 2011
13 Jersey Boys M4,642 [13] November 6, 2005January 15, 2017
14 Miss Saigon M4,092 [14] April 11, 1991January 28, 2001
  • Revival in 2017 (340 performances)
15 Aladdin M3,819 [15] March 20, 2014
16 42nd Street M3,486 [16] August 25, 1980January 8, 1989
  • Revival in 2001 (1,524 performances)
17 Grease M3,388 [17] February 14, 1972April 13, 1980
  • Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
18 Hamilton M3,261 [18] August 6, 2015
19 Fiddler on the Roof M3,242 [19] September 22, 1964July 2, 1972
  • Revivals in 1976 (167 performances), 1981 (53 performances), 1990 (241 performances), 2004 (781 performances), and 2015 (431 performances)
20 Life with Father P3,224 [20] November 8, 1939July 12, 1947
  • Broadway's longest-running straight play
21 Tobacco Road P3,182 [21] December 4, 1933May 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! M2,844 [22] January 16, 1964December 27, 1970
  • Revivals in 1975 (42 performances), 1978 (147 performances), 1995 (116 performances), and 2017 (550 performances)
23 My Fair Lady M2,717 [23] March 15, 1956September 29, 1962
  • Revivals in 1976 (377 performances), 1981 (120 performances), 1993 (165 performances), and 2018 (509 performances)
24 Hairspray M2,642 [24] August 15, 2002January 4, 2009
25 Mary Poppins M2,619 [25] November 16, 2006March 3, 2013
26 Avenue Q M2,534 [26] July 31, 2003September 13, 2009
27 Kinky Boots M2,505 [27] April 4, 2013April 7, 2019
28 The Producers M2,502 [28] April 19, 2001April 22, 2007
  • Currently holds the record of Broadway production with the most Tony Award wins, winning 12.
29 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical M2,416 [29] January 12, 2014October 27, 2019
30 Annie M2,377 [30] April 21, 1977January 2, 1983
  • Revivals in 1997 (239 performances) and 2012 (487 performances)
Cabaret (1998 revival)M2,377 [31] March 19, 1998January 4, 2004
  • Original production in 1966 (1,165 performances) and revivals in 1987 (261 performances), 2014 (388 performances), and 2024 (272 performances, currently running at the August Wilson Theatre )
32 Man of La Mancha M2,328 [32] November 22, 1965June 26, 1971
  • Revivals in 1972 (140 performances), 1977 (124 performances), 1992 (108 performances), and 2002 (304 performances)
Rock of Ages M2,328 [33] April 7, 2009January 18, 2015
34 Abie's Irish Rose P2,327 [34] May 23, 1922October 1, 1927
  • First ever Broadway production with 2,000+ performances
  • Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
35 Oklahoma! M2,212 [35] March 31, 1943May 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 R2,036 [36] March 2, 1995January 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 P2,032 [37] April 22, 2018
38 Pippin M1,944 [38] October 23, 1972June 12, 1977
  • Revival in 2013 (709 performances)
39 South Pacific M1,925 [39] April 7, 1949January 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 M1,920 [40] May 28, 1974December 31, 1978
41 Aida M1,852 [41] March 23, 2000September 5, 2004
42 Gemini P1,819 [42] May 21, 1977September 6, 1981
43 Deathtrap P1,793 [43] February 26, 1978June 13, 1982
44 Harvey P1,775 [44] November 1, 1944January 15, 1949
  • Revival in 1970 (79 performances) and 2012 (62 performances)
45 Dancin' D1,774 [45] March 27, 1978June 27, 1982
  • Revival in 2023 (65 performances)
  • Broadway's longest-running dance musical
46 La Cage aux Folles M1,761 [46] August 21, 1983November 15, 1987
  • Revivals in 2004 (229 performances) and 2010 (433 performances)
47 Hair M1,750 [47] April 29, 1968July 1, 1972
  • Revivals in 1977 (43 performances), 2004 (1 benefit performance), 2009 (519 performances), and 2011 (67 performances)
48 Hadestown M1,732 [48] April 17, 2019
49 Dear Evan Hansen M1,672 [49] December 4, 2016September 18, 2022
The Wiz M1,672 [50] January 5, 1975January 28, 1979
  • Revivals in 1984 (13 performances) and 2024 (142 performances)
51 Come from Away M1,669 [51] March 12, 2017October 2, 2022
52 Born Yesterday P1,642 [52] February 4, 1946December 31, 1949
  • Revivals in 1989 (153 performances) and 2011 (73 performances)
53 Crazy for You M1,622 [53] February 19, 1992January 7, 1996
54 Ain't Misbehavin' R1,604 [54] May 9, 1978February 21, 1982
  • Revival in 1988 (176 performances)
55 Moulin Rouge! M1,585 [55] July 25, 2019
56 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas M1,584 [56] June 19, 1978March 27, 1982
  • Revivals in 1982 (63 performances) and 2006 (1 benefit performance)
57 Spamalot M1,575 [57] March 17, 2005January 11, 2009
  • Revival in 2023 (164 performances)
58 Mary, Mary P1,572 [58] March 8, 1961December 12, 1964
59 Evita M1,567 [59] September 25, 1979June 26, 1983
  • Revival in 2012 (337 performances)
60 The Voice of the Turtle P1,557 [60] December 8, 1943January 3, 1948
61 Matilda the Musical M1,554 [61] April 11, 2013January 1, 2017
62 Waitress M1,544 [62] April 24, 2016January 5, 2020
  • Revival in 2021 (122 performances)
63 Jekyll & Hyde M1,543 [63] April 28, 1997January 7, 2001
  • Revival in 2013 (30 performances)
64 Barefoot in the Park P1,530 [64] October 23, 1963June 25, 1967
  • Revival in 2006 (109 performances)
65 42nd Street (2001 revival)M1,524 [65] May 2, 2001January 2, 2005
  • Original production in 1980 (3,486 performances)
66 Dreamgirls M1,521 [66] December 20, 1981August 11, 1985
  • Revivals in 1987 (177 performances) and 2001 (1 benefit performance)
67 Mame M1,508 [67] May 24, 1966January 3, 1970
  • Revival in 1983 (41 performances)
68 Grease (1994 revival)M1,505 [68] May 11, 1994January 25, 1998
  • Original production in 1972 (3,388 performances) and revival in 2007 (554 performances)
69 Same Time, Next Year P1,453 [69] March 14, 1975September 3, 1978
70 Arsenic and Old Lace P1,444 [70] January 10, 1941June 17, 1944
  • Revival in 1986 (221 performances)
71 The Sound of Music M1,443 [71] November 16, 1959June 15, 1963
  • Revival in 1998 (533 performances)
72 Me and My Girl M1,420 [72] August 10, 1986December 31, 1989
73 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying M1,417 [73] October 14, 1961March 6, 1965
  • Revivals in 1995 (548 performances) and 2011 (473 performances)
74 Hellzapoppin R1,404 [74] September 22, 1938December 17, 1941
75 The Music Man M1,375 [75] December 19, 1957April 15, 1961
  • Revivals in 1980 (21 performances), 2000 (699 performances), and 2022 (373 performances)
76 Funny Girl M1,348 [76] March 26, 1964July 1, 1967
  • Revivals in 2002 (1 benefit performance) and 2022 (569 performances)
77 Mummenschanz S1,326 [77] March 30, 1977April 20, 1980
  • Broadway's longest-running special
78 Six M1,321 [78] October 3, 2021
79 Oh! Calcutta! R1,314 [79] June 17, 1969August 12, 1972
  • Original production
  • Revival in 1976 (5,959 performances)
80 Billy Elliot the Musical M1,312 [80] November 13, 2008January 8, 2012
81 School of Rock M1,309 [81] December 6, 2015January 20, 2019
82 Movin' Out D1,303 [82] October 24, 2002December 11, 2005
83 Brighton Beach Memoirs P1,299 [83] March 27, 1983May 11, 1986
  • Revival in 2009 (9 performances)
84 Angel Street P1,295 [84] December 5, 1941December 30, 1944
  • Revivals in 1948 (14 performances) and 1975 (52 performances)
85 Lightnin' P1,291 [85] August 26, 1918August 27, 1921
  • First ever Broadway production with 1,000+ performances
  • Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
86 Promises, Promises M1,281 [86] December 1, 1968January 1, 1972
  • Revival in 2010 (289 performances)
87 The King and I M1,246 [87] March 29, 1951March 20, 1954
  • Revivals in 1977 (695 performances), 1985 (191 performances), 1996 (780 performances), and 2015 (499 performances)
88 Cactus Flower P1,234 [88] December 8, 1965November 23, 1968
89 Sleuth P1,222 [89] November 12, 1970October 13, 1973
Torch Song Trilogy P1,222 [90] June 10, 1982May 19, 1985
  • Revival in 2018 (77 performances)
91 1776 M1,217 [91] March 16, 1969February 13, 1972
  • Revivals in 1997 (333 performances) and 2022 (105 performances)
92 Equus P1,209 [92] October 24, 1974October 2, 1977
  • Revival in 2008 (156 performances)
93 Sugar Babies R1,208 [93] October 8, 1979August 28, 1982
94 Guys and Dolls M1,200 [94] November 24, 1950November 28, 1953
  • Revivals in 1955 (31 performances), 1965 (15 performances), 1976 (239 performances), 1992 (1,143 performances), and 2009 (121 performances)
95 MJ the Musical M1,197 [95] February 1, 2022
96 In the Heights M1,184 [96] March 9, 2008January 9, 2011
97 Amadeus P1,181 [97] December 17, 1980October 16, 1983
  • Revival in 1999 (173 performances)
98 Once M1,168 [98] March 18, 2012January 4, 2015
99 Cabaret M1,165 [99] November 20, 1966September 6, 1969
  • Revivals in 1987 (261 performances), 1998 (2,377 performances), 2014 (388 performances), and 2024 (264 performances, currently running at the August Wilson Theatre )
Memphis M1,165 [100] October 19, 2009August 5, 2012
101 Mister Roberts P1,157 [101] February 18, 1948January 6, 1951
102 Annie Get Your Gun M1,147 [102] May 16, 1946February 12, 1949
  • Revivals in 1966 (78 performances) and 1999 (1,045 performances)
  • Oldest 1000+ original to be joined by 1000+ revival
103 Guys and Dolls (1992 revival)M1,143 [103] April 14, 1992January 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)
104 The Seven Year Itch P1,141 [104] November 20, 1952August 13, 1955
105 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee M1,136 [105] May 2, 2005January 20, 2008
106 Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk D1,135 [106] April 25, 1996January 10, 1999
107 Butterflies Are Free P1,128 [107] October 21, 1969July 2, 1972
108 Pins and Needles R1,108 [108] November 27, 1937June 22, 1940
109 Plaza Suite P1,097 [109] February 14, 1968October 3, 1970
  • Revival in 2022 (110 performances)
110 Fosse D1,093 [110] January 14, 1999August 25, 2001
111 They're Playing Our Song M1,082 [111] February 11, 1979September 6, 1981
112 Kiss Me, Kate M1,077 [112] December 30, 1948July 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 M1,066 [113] June 14, 2011January 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 R1,065 [114] April 19, 1972October 27, 1974
115 The Pajama Game M1,063 [115] May 13, 1954November 24, 1956
  • Revivals in 1973 (65 performances) and 2006 (129 performances)
116 Shenandoah M1,050 [116] January 7, 1975August 7, 1977
  • Revival in 1989 (32 performances)
117 Annie Get Your Gun (1999 revival)M1,045 [117] March 4, 1999September 1, 2001
  • Original production in 1946 (1,147 performances) and revival in 1966 (78 performances)
118 The Teahouse of the August Moon P1,027 [118] October 15, 1953March 24, 1956
119 Les Misérables (2014 revival)M1,024 [119] March 23, 2014September 4, 2016
  • Original production in 1987 (6,680 performances) and revival in 2006 (463 performances)
120 Damn Yankees M1,019 [120] May 5, 1955October 12, 1957
  • Revival in 1994 (533 performances)
121 Grand Hotel M1,017 [121] November 12, 1989April 25, 1992
122 Contact D1,010 [122] March 30, 2000September 1, 2002
123 Never Too Late P1,007 [123] November 27, 1962April 24, 1965
124 Beatlemania M1,006 [124] May 31, 1977October 17, 1979
125 Big River M1,005 [125] April 25, 1985September 20, 1987
  • Revival in 2003 (67 performances)
126 Newsies M1,004 [126] March 29, 2012August 24, 2014

Timeline of longest-running Broadway shows

The Black Crook, which ran from 1866 to 1868, was the first Broadway show to run for over one year. Crookfinale.jpg
The Black Crook , which ran from 1866 to 1868, was the first Broadway show to run for over one year.

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 leadTitleTypeOpening
date		Closing
date		PerformancesComments/Notes
January 9, 2006 [130] The Phantom of the Opera MJanuary 26, 1988April 16, 202313,981 [1]
June 19, 1997 [131] Cats MOctober 7, 1982September 10, 20007,485 [5]
September 29, 1983 [132] A Chorus Line MJuly 25, 1975April 28, 19906,137 [7]
December 8, 1979 [133] Grease MFebruary 14, 1972April 13, 19803,388 [17]
  • 2 Drama Desk Awards in 1972
  • Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
June 17, 1972 [134] Fiddler on the Roof MSeptember 22, 1964July 2, 19723,242 [19]
  • 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)
June 14, 1947 [136] Life with Father PNovember 8, 1939July 12, 19473,224 [20]
June 1939 [137] Tobacco Road PDecember 4, 1933May 31, 19413,182 [21]
  • Revivals in 1942 (34 performances), 1943 (66 performances), and 1950 (7 performances)
May 23, 1925 [138] Abie's Irish Rose PMay 23, 1923October 1, 19272,327 [34]
  • Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
March 17, 1920 [139] [140] [141] Lightnin' PAugust 26, 1918August 27, 19211,291 [85]
  • Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
June 22, 1893 [142] A Trip to Chinatown MNovember 9, 1891August 7, 1893657 [143]
December 1885 [144] Adonis MSeptember 4, 1884April 17, 1886603 [145]
May 1881 Hazel Kirke PFebruary 4, 1880May 31, 1881486 [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]
August 5, 1867 [150] The Black Crook MSeptember 12, 1866January 4, 1868474 [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 [153] Uncle Tom's Cabin (Aiken version)PAugust 8, 1853May 13, 1854325 [154]
1850 The Drunkard P1850October 7, 1850?100 [158]
September 24, 1844 Putnam, the Iron Son of '76 PAugust 5, 1844November 2, 184478 [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 Mazeppa, Or, The Wild Horse of UkrainePJuly 22, 1833September 9, 183343 [162]
1831The Elephant of Siam and the Fire Fiend by Samuel Beazley PJanuary 10, 1831?18 [165]

See also

Related Research Articles

Life with Father is a 1939 play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, adapted from a humorous autobiographical book of stories compiled in 1935 by Clarence Day. The Broadway production ran for 3,224 performances over 401 weeks to become the longest-running non-musical play on Broadway, a record that it still holds. The play was adapted into a 1947 feature film and a television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Ebb</span> American lyricist (1928–2004)

Fred Ebb was an American musical theatre lyricist who had many successful collaborations with composer John Kander. The Kander and Ebb team frequently wrote for such performers as Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera.

<i>Me and Bessie</i> Musical

Me and Bessie is a musical revue about the life and career of blues singer Bessie Smith. The basically one-woman show, conceived and written by Will Holt and Linda Hopkins and performed by Hopkins, features songs by Lil Green, Clarence Williams, Henry Creamer, Andy Razaf, and Jimmy Cox, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway theatre</span> Type of theatre in New York City

Broadway theatre, or Broadway, is a theatre genre that consists of the theatrical performances presented in 41 professional theaters, each with 500 or more seats, in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Broadway and London's West End together represent the highest commercial level of live theater in the English-speaking world.

This is a selected list of the longest-running musical theatre productions in history divided into two sections. The first section lists all Broadway and West End productions of musicals that have exceeded 2,500 performances, in order of greatest number of performances in either market. The second section lists, in alphabetical order, musicals that have broken historical long run records for musical theatre on Broadway, in the West End or Off-Broadway, since 1866, in alphabetical order.

<i>Abies Irish Rose</i>

Abie's Irish Rose is a popular comedy by Anne Nichols, which premiered in 1922. Initially a Broadway play, it has become familiar through repeated stage productions, films and radio programs. The basic premise involves an Irish Catholic girl and a young Jewish man who marry despite the objections of their families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Burns (actor)</span> American actor (1902–1971)

David Burns was an American Broadway theatre and motion picture actor and singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadhurst Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Broadhurst Theatre is a Broadway theater at 235 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1917, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was built for the Shubert brothers. The Broadhurst Theatre is named for British-American theatrical producer George Broadhurst, who leased the theater before its opening. It has 1,218 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcia Rodd</span> American actress

Marcia Rodd is an American actress, singer, and director. After studying theatre at Northwestern University, she moved to New York City and began a successful career as a stage actress.

<i>Smokey Joes Cafe</i> (revue) Musical by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

Smokey Joe's Cafe is a musical revue showcasing 39 pop standards, including rock and roll and rhythm and blues songs written by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Original Broadway cast recording, Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, won a Grammy Award in 1997.

<i>A Trip to Chinatown</i> Musical

A Trip to Chinatown is a musical comedy in three acts with a book by Charles H. Hoyt, music by Percy Gaunt and lyrics by Hoyt. In addition to the Gaunt and Hoyt score, many songs were interpolated into the score at one time or another during the run, as was fashionable for musicals of the era. The story concerns a widow who accidentally maneuvers two young suburban couples into a big city restaurant and brings romance to them and herself. It is loosely based on an 1835 English one-act farce, A Day Well Spent, by John Oxenford.

<i>Lightnin</i> (1925 film) 1925 film

Lightnin' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by John Ford. It was based on a successful play of the same name. The original run of the play started in 1918 at the Gaiety Theatre and continued for 1,291 performances, breaking the record for longest running play at that time. The film was remade in 1930 by Henry King for Fox as an early talkie starring Will Rogers with support from Louise Dresser and Joel McCrea.

<i>Three Men on a Horse</i> Play by George Abbott and John Cecil Holm

Three Men on a Horse is a three-act farce co-authored by John Cecil Holm and George Abbott. The comedy focuses on a man who discovers he has a talent for choosing the winning horse in a race as long as he never places a bet himself. Originally titled Hobby Horse by John Cecil Holm, Three Men On A Horse was a property controlled and produced by Alex Yokel, who reached out to Warner Bros. for financial assistance; Warners agreed to provide financing on the condition Yokel find someone to doctor the script and direct the Broadway production. George Abbott, the director, who had since 1932 directed and produced each of his Broadway productions, immediately saw the potential and rewrote the script and agreed to direct if he received co-author credit and split the author's royalties with Holm. Abbott wrote a third act, resulting in a new three-act play titled Three Men on a Horse.

<i>Tobacco Road</i> (play) Play adapted by Jack Kirkland

Tobacco Road is a play by Jack Kirkland first performed in 1933, based on the 1932 novel of the same name by Erskine Caldwell. The play ran on Broadway for a total of 3,182 performances, surpassing Abie's Irish Rose to become the longest-running play in history at the time. As of December 2024, it was still the 21st longest-running Broadway show in history, as well as being the second-longest running non-musical ever on Broadway.

<i>Oh! Calcutta!</i> Avant-garde, risque theatrical revue (1969)

Oh! Calcutta! is an avant-garde, risqué theatrical revue created by British drama critic Kenneth Tynan. The show, consisting of sketches on sex-related topics, debuted Off-Broadway in 1969 and then in the West End in 1970. It ran in London for over 3,900 performances, and in New York initially for 1,314. Revivals enjoyed even longer runs, including a 1976 Broadway revival that ran for 5,959 performances, making the show the longest-running revue in Broadway history, the second longest-running revival, and the eighth longest-running Broadway show ever.

<i>The Seven Year Itch</i> (play) 1952 play by George Axelrod

The Seven Year Itch is a 1952 three-act play written by George Axelrod. The original Broadway production starred Tom Ewell and Vanessa Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madison Square Theatre</span> Former New York theatre

The Madison Square Theatre was a Broadway theatre in Manhattan, on the south side of 24th Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway. It was built in 1863, operated as a theater from 1865 to 1909, and demolished in 1909 to make way for an office building. The Madison Square Theatre was the scene of important developments in stage technology, theatre design, and theatrical tour management. For about half its history it had other names including the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Daly's Fifth Avenue Theatre, Hoyt's Madison Square Theatre, and Hoyt's Theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Golden</span> American actor, songwriter, author and theatrical producer

John Lionel Golden was an American actor, songwriter, author, and theatrical producer. As a songwriter, he is best-known as lyricist for "Poor Butterfly" (1916). He produced many Broadway shows and four films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winchell Smith</span> American dramatist (1871–1933)

Winchell Smith was an American playwright, known for big hit works such as Brewster's Millions (1906) and Lightnin' (1918). Many of his plays were made into movies. He spent freely but left a large fortune at his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Whiting (actor)</span> American actor, singer and dancer (1901–1961)

Jack Whiting was an American actor, singer and dancer whose career ran from the early 1920s through the late 1950s, playing leading men or major supporting figures.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "Cats". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  6. ↑ "Les Misérables". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  7. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "Grease". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  18. ↑ "Hamilton". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  19. 1 2 "Fiddler on the Roof". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  20. 1 2 "Life with Father". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  21. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Moulin Rouge! The Musical". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  56. ↑ "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  57. ↑ "Spamalot". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  58. ↑ "Mary, Mary". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  59. ↑ "Evita". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  60. ↑ "The Voice of the Turtle". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  61. ↑ "Matilda The Musical". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  62. ↑ "Waitress". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  63. ↑ "Jekyll & Hyde". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  64. ↑ "Barefoot in the Park". 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. ↑ "Six". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  79. ↑ "Oh! Calcutta!". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  80. ↑ "Billy Elliot the Musical". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  81. ↑ "School of Rock – The Musical". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  82. ↑ "Movin' Out". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  83. ↑ "Brighton Beach Memoirs". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  84. ↑ "Angel Street". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  85. 1 2 "Lightnin'". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  86. ↑ "Promises, Promises". 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. ↑ "MJ The Musical". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  96. ↑ "In the Heights". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  97. ↑ "Amadeus". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  98. ↑ "Once". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  99. ↑ "Cabaret". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  100. ↑ "Memphis". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  101. ↑ "Mister Roberts". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  102. ↑ "Annie Get Your Gun". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  103. ↑ "Guys and Dolls". 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. 1 2 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). , 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. 1 2 3 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

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.