Broadway By the Numbers - The Longest Runners

With the news that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child just became the third longest-running play in Broadway history, I was curious about other long-running shows. I mean we all know about The Phantom of the Opera and the current revival of Chicago, but what about others?

Broadway By the Numbers:

The Longest Runners

The most surprising thing to me was the fact that over the years and thousands of productions there are only 127 shows that have played 1,000 performances or more!

NOTE: For the rest of these stats, I only considered the 100 longest-running shows as of August 31, 2025.

• The first Broadway show to reach 1,000 performances was a play from 1918 called Lightnin', which played a total of 1,291 shows.
• The bottom spot is currently a tie between the original production of Cabaret and & Juliet, both with 1,165 performances. (By the time you read this, & Juliet will be #99 and climbing, with Cabaret a solid #100.)
• Of the 100 productions: 5 are Musical Revivals, 21 are Plays, and 74 are Musicals.
• 42 won either the Best Play, Best Musical or Best Revival Tony Awards.
• 12 were not Tony Award eligible.

The 1910s - 1 Top 100

    Longest Running: #86: Lightnin' 1,291 performances (play)

The 1920s - 1 Top 100

    Longest Running: #34: Abie's Irish Rose 2,327 performances (play)

The 1930s - 3 Top 100

    Longest Running: #20: Life With Father 3,224 performances (play)

The 1940s - 7 Top 100

    Longest Running: #36: Oklahoma! 2,212 performances (musical)

The 1950s - 6 Top 100

    Longest Running: #23: My Fair Lady 2,717 performances (musical)

The 1960s - 14 Top 100

    Longest Running: #19: Fiddler on the Roof 3,242 performances (musical)

The 1970s - 18 Top 100

    Longest Running: #7: A Chorus Line 6,137 performances (musical)

The 1980s - 8 Top 100

    Longest Running: #1: The Phantom of the Opera 13,981 performances (musical)

The 1990s - 11 Top 100

    Longest Running: #6: Chicago 11,329 performances (musical revival)*

The 2000s - 15 Top 100

    Longest Running: #3: Wicked 8,490 performances (musical)*

The 2010s - 13 Top 100

    Longest Running: #11: The Book of Mormon 5,343 performances (musical)*

The 2020s - 3 Top 100

    Longest Running: #65: Six 1,618 performances (musical)*

* - still running

At This Theatre: The Ambassador

There are a few Broadway theaters that have had shows run so long in them, that those shows are the only ones that have played there during many theater-goers' lifetime. Until recently, there was a generation or more who only knew the Majestic as the home of The Phantom of the Opera. Even today, people know the same for the Gershwin (Wicked) and the Minskoff (The Lion King).

Such is the case with The Ambassador Theatre, which has been host to Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, since January 29, 2003. During its run there, a host of established stars from all walks of the entertainment world - from film, TV, music, and, of course, Broadway, have trod the boards here. Many up and coming performers, including future Tony nominees and award-winning dancers got their start here as well.

At This Theatre: The Ambassador

Built in 1921, the Ambassador has been a legitimate theater, a TV studio, a small movie house, and even a radio studio. Its current tenant not withstanding, this house has been a largely unsuccessful one. Many a flop has played here, but it has been the home to the end of runs of some hits, like the original productions of Godspell and Dancin'. Some well-regarded revivals played here, like Ain't Misbehavin', Dreamgirls and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with Kristin Chenoweth in her Tony-winning turn as Sally Brown. Prior to its current tenant, arguably the most successful show to play here was Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk.

We haven't been inside the Ambassador in some 15 years since we caught Ruthie Henshall and Matthew Settle in the show. Prior to that, I had only been there once before, to see the short-lived musical, A Class Act.

NUMBER OF SHOWS WE'VE SEEN THERE: 2

A Class Act, Chicago

 

A Class Act (March 11, 2001 - June 10, 2001): A musical about the life of one of the writers of my beloved favorite A Chorus Line? There was now way I was missing that! It starred Lonny Price of Merrily We Roll Along fame and another favorite, Randy Graff (Les Miserables, City of Angels) and featured a score filled with Edward Kleban's songs. It was a delight from start to finish, and an artistic, if not financial, success. It spawned one of my all-time favorite show tunes, "Under Separate Cover."

Chicago (January 29, 2003 - present): One of my favorite shows, I had seen this revival at the Shubert, and had to return here to catch the West End star Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart. In looking over my Playbills, I found that I actually saw this revival here another time, with Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn. As the show approaches it's 30th Broadway anniversary and no end in sight, it seems likely that we'll probably return to this odd little theater with no lobby.

Friday 5: Two Ladies: Shows With 2 Female Leads

"Bee-dle-dee dee dee dee, I like it, Bee-dle-dee dee dee dee, We like it, Bee-dle-dee dee dee dee, This two for one!"

So sings the giddy Emcee in Cabaret. We all know what that song suggests. But there is another way we like to enjoy two ladies - when they are the leads in a big Broadway show! Here are Friday 5 of our favorites!

Two Ladies: Shows with 2 Female Leads

Chicago (1975-76 & 1996-97*) Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart In 1975, Bob Fosse brought his musical vaudeville to Broadway with two legends in the starring roles - Gwen Verdon as Roxie and Chita Rivera as Velma, and the rest is history. Well, that is until the show came back in the mid-90s with Ann Reinking as Roxie and Bebe Neuwirth as Velma. The two Merry murderesses have been hoofing it on the Great White Way ever since, and the show is now the 2nd longest running show in Broadway history! Nowadays and forever it would seem.

Death Becomes Her (2024-25*) Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp The newest dynamic duo to hit the Rialto, Megan Hilty (as Madeline) and Jennifer Simard (as Helen) bring new meaning to "dueling divas." These two spar (literally and figuratively), and go head to head in vocal pyrotechnic sing-offs and pure comic genius. Together, they are a riot, on stage and off. And we are all the better for it.

Side Show (1997-98 & 2014-15) Violet and Daisy Hilton One of my favorite shows of all time, this riveting near pop opera tale of real-life conjoined twins was a hard sell both times it has been on Broadway, but those luck enough to see it had to be as dazzled by the women in those roles as I was. The originals, Alice Ripley (as Violet) and Emily Skinner (as Daisy) made history when they were co-nominated for Best Actress in a Musical at the 1998 Tony Awards. Both Erin Davie (as Violet) and Emily Padgett (as Daisy) also made their mark in the revised revival version of the show. In both cases, I couldn't imagine one without the other.

The Rink (1983-84) Anna and Angel Though I never saw the show on Broadway, I adore the score, and really enjoyed a college production I saw of it. When it opened at the Martin Beck Theatre in early 1984, even the great Chita Rivera (as Anna) and legendary Liza Minnelli (as Angel) couldn't help the show overcome mostly negative reviews. That said, they sang the hell out of the emotional Kander and Ebb score, and Rivera won her first Tony Award for it. It's a show with great roles for two powerhouse women, and I'd love to see it with a revised book and maybe a female director some day.

Wicked (2003-04*) Glinda and Elphaba Definitely the most successful musical of the 21st century, this show takes girl power to all new levels! Despite mixed reviews, audiences (myself included) have been flocking to the Gershwin Theatre for more than 2 decades now. From the original Glinda (Kristin Chenoweth) and Elphaba (Tony-winner Idina Menzel) and through dozens of subsequent pairings, we've thrilled to the magical relationship these two share. Some of Broadway's greatest new talent has taken on these giant roles, and I'm sure more superstars of tomorrow are on the way.

* - Show is currently running.

Around the TheatreScene July/August 2024

Over the course of each month, we'll collect pictures and newsy tidbits from the "TheatreScene." We'll be scouring Twitter, Instagram and other social media for interesting items. And we'd love to share your love of theater, too! Send us your pics from your theater scene - local stuff, school shows, fan art, stage door encounters! Send them to: jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com (careful of the spelling!).

Around the TheatreScene

July/August 2024

Opened: Once Upon a Mattress

The season's first new musical rehearsed and opened this month at the Hudson Theatre! Micheal Urie posted some things from his "first day of school."

Closed: The Who's Tommy

It's the circle of life on Broadway. Shows open and close. This month saw the closing of The Who's Tommy. Sad as that is, a new show (Redwood) will soon take its place. And we suspect that this won't be the last we see of "Tommy," Ali Louis Bourzgui.

Coming Soon: Maybe Happy Ending

Rumors have been swirling since the first preview was postponed a month due to "supply chain issues" that this isn't happening. We choose to be optimistic. So does the Belasco Theatre.

Oh, Mary! Goes Glam and Has a Super Fan!

The hit of the season has had some glamour shots done. Has anything Lincoln-related ever had such luck in the boxes? Plus a certain Broadway Diva has become a big fan of Mary - she even did a commercial for the show!

 

Cole Escola (Mary)     Conrad Ricamora (Mary's Husband)

 

James Scully (Mary's Teacher)     Bianca Leigh (Mary's Chaperone)

 

Tony Macht (Mary's Husband's Assistant)     Peter Smith (Wonderstudy)

Hannah Solow (Wonderstudy)

📸: E. Madrid

Patti LuPone (Super Fan)

Fan of the Month

This fan of The Outsiders really wants to see it! More than 12 hours before the B.O. opens, she's in the rush line. Let's hope she got a seat! (We're having old-school Rent flashbacks...)

It's a Return!

One of our all-time favorites, Paulo Szot, is back at the Sondheim in & Juliet! 

Broadway Flashbacks

One of our Twitter pals, Burnside Gooch, really took us back with this O.G. Chicago pic. Imagine seeing this as you walked into the 46th Street Theatre!

Forty-nine-years ago tonight. pic.twitter.com/IE7GasN8O0

— Burnside Gooch (@akakarenwilson) August 8, 2024

And here's Mike Faist from his Broadway debut days in Newsies, signing at the stage door with a smile! (Circa 2012 - pre Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, West Side Story and Challengers on film.)

Broadway Beefcake

We are glad to see that these guys are staying in shape between shows! 

Our Story of the Month

Harmony and Funny Girl star Julie Benko took to X (fka Twitter) to make a big announcement for her and husband Jason Yeager! Congratulations, Julie and Jason!

Our Story of the Month

Broadway really does care! 

It was only a matter of time before Sasha Saynor made her Broadway debut and we were honored to be a part of it! Thanks to Make-A-Wish for making Sasha's dream a reality! 💙 pic.twitter.com/tMOuBSXfPL

— Back To The Future Broadway (@BTTFBway) July 31, 2024