Monday, November 14, 2011

Broadway Milestones: Billy Elliot, The Lion King and Chicago

Three of Broadway's biggest hits are celebrating major milestones this week.

Emily Skinner stars in Billy Elliot at the Imperial Theatre

November 13
Billy Elliot celebrated its third birthday.  That's right, Billy, Michael and Mrs. Wilkinson have been tapping and ballet-ing around the Great White Way since November 13, 2008.  1,248 performances at the Imperial Theatre and 10 Tony Awards later, Billy is still making audiences happy.  But not for much longer.  The show ends its Broadway run on January 8, 2012.

For more information, click on the Billy Elliot show site link to the right.

Scar and Mufasa face off each night at the Minskoff Theatre

November 13
The 7th longest-running show in Broadway history turned 14!  Disney's The Lion King opened on this date in 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (it currently plays the Minskoff Theatre, where it has been since June 13, 2006).  As of its anniversary, the six time Tony winner has played 5,810 performances on Broadway.  The show has had 19 productions worldwide, has been seen by 63 million people and has grossed $4.7 billion.  Most recently, the production hosted an autism-friendly performance, the first of its kind in Broadway history.


For more information, click on the Lion King show site link to the right.


Original promo art from Chicago which currently
plays the Ambassador Theatre

November 14
Not long ago, the revival of Chicago became the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.  It is the fourth longest running show overall, and the longest running revival of all time.  And today, at the Ambassador Theatre, the cast and crew will be celebrating yet another milestone - the show celebrates its 15th anniversary.

To take a look at many of the celebrities who have played in the show, click on this link: http://www.chicagothemusical.com/celebrity.php.  And to see a year-by-year history of the production, click here: http://www.chicagothemusical.com/timeline.php.


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Jeff

1 comment:

  1. I wanted to see Billy Elliot But my Girlfriend decided to book for Chicago The Musical London instead and at first I was really disappointed, but it turned out it was a great Musical, we had a wonderful evening at the Garrick theatre.

    ReplyDelete

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