Going to the movies is fun, but watching a theatrical performance is another experience altogether. Here’s where Broadway comes in — the heart of the country’s theater industry. Known for their large budgets and high production values, broadway shows often feature major stars and attract worldwide attention. Its legacy also includes record-breaking shows, with some even running for years and boasting thousands of performances, further cementing Broadway’s status as a leader in the commercial theatre industry.
1. Cats
This stage musical boasts about 7,500 runs on Broadway and still counting. Cats is a classic that debuted in 1982. It is a highly visual, lyrical, and musically driven play based on T.S. Eliot’s poetry collection — Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. This Broadway masterpiece had a terrific 18-year stint before its initial closing in 2000. That wasn’t the end, though; the show made a return to Broadway in 2016 with an enthusiastic cast. The Broadway classic was also a stepping stone for many celebrities, including names like Terrence Mann, Jennifer Cody, Scott Wise, and Rob Marshal.
2. A Chorus Line
Fans will forever remember how this Broadway show enticed audiences for years despite opening with minimalist sets and costumes. The show was based on real-life stories of Broadway dancers, leading the audiences into the behind-the-scenes world of the performers themselves. A Chorus Line saw over 5,900 curtain calls between 1975 and 1990. It did not end there, as the Broadway classic was revived in 2006 and ran for about two years before its last show. Fans continue to hold out hope for the show to make yet another return to the stage.
3. Les Misérables
This Broadway show witnessed a record-breaking run for 16 years between 1987 to 2003. It was even revived at the Broadhurst Theatre in 2006 and another time in 2014 at the Imperial Theatre, totaling over 6,680 performances overall. The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name. It opened on Broadway with Colm Wilkinson portraying the lead role of Jean Valjean, a former prisoner, and Terrence Mann as Javert, the police inspector. The show also introduced a handful of talented actors to the world, including Michael Ball, Anthony Crivello, and Colm Wilkinson, to name a few.
4. Mamma Mia!
A family-friendly and heartwarming musical, the Broadway show Mamma Mia! is based on the songs of ABBA. The show, which opened in 2001, revolved around friendship, love, and the power of music. The final curtain call was in 2015, but not before the musical garnered over 5,400 performances on-stage. Today, it is one of Broadway’s longest-running jukebox musicals and among the longest-running productions. Despite its Broadway closure, Mama Mia! is a household name, and its legacy continues through various adaptations worldwide.
5. Wicked
The family-centric musical is considered a global phenomenon. Stephen Schwartz penned the lyrics for this musical, and a book was authored by Winnie Holzman. The show is also loosely based on the 1995 book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. The Broadway show created a path for actors like Kristin Chenoweth to shine as Glinda and Idina Menzel as the heroic Elphaba. The show also witnessed two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz embody the role of Fiyero, Elphaba’s love interest, in the original production. As for the numbers, the show opened on Broadway in 2003 and has had about 8,000 performances and counting since then. The show is also loved by theatre enthusiasts worldwide for its innovative take on the Wizard of Oz universe.
6. Chicago
This original Broadway production that went live in 1975 had a relatively short run time. It did see a revival in 1996, and its latest iteration has taken center stage over 10,000-plus times at Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre. Chicago is here to stay for a few more years, at the least and has seen several stars appear on the original show and gain fame, including popular names like James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth, and Ann Reinking.
7. The Lion King
Animated films are fun to watch, but when they are adapted to the stage format, they redefine the potential of the theatre industry. The Lion King musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1997, created headlines with its opening show. The show is known for featuring more than 200 puppets. Besides, The Lion King is also Broadway’s highest-grossing musical to date, earning over $1.9 billion and counting. The show has also been performed over 10,000 times, which is a testament to its universal appeal.
8. The Phantom of the Opera
This musical masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Webber opened in 1988 and went on to receive multiple awards and rave reviews. The Phantom of the Opera was performed 13,981 times at Broadway’s Majestic Theater. The curtains rolled down on the show in 2023, but not before giving audiences more than three decades of stellar performances to remember. The show also introduced various acting talents to the audience, starting with the very first Phantom, Michael Crawford, who won the 1986 Olivier Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical and a Tony Award for his performance. Other popular names that have appeared on the show include Gerard Butler, Peter Karrie, Killian Donnelly, and Anthony Crivello.
