The Phantom of the Opera
List
# Title Performances
1. The Phantom of the Opera 13,370
2. Chicago (1996 revival) 9,692
3. The Lion King 9,302
4. Cats 7,485
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The Phantom of the Opera
List
# Title Performances
1. The Phantom of the Opera 13,370
2. Chicago (1996 revival) 9,692
3. The Lion King 9,302
4. Cats 7,485
The longest-running show in Broadway history officially opened on January 26, 1988 and is still playing at the Majestic The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical won 7 1988 Tony Awards
The longest-running musical ever in Broadway history is The Phantom of the Opera. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, it premiered in 1988 and ran continuously for 35 years, with over 13,900 performances before closing in 2023. The musical became iconic for its unforgettable music, grand stage design, and emotional storytelling. While Phantom holds the Broadway record, in London’s West End, Les Misérables is the longest-running musical, still performing since 1985. Together, these shows define musical theatre history and global popularity.
The longest-running musical ever, at least on Broadway, is The Phantom of the Opera. It premiered in 1988 and ran for an incredible 35 years before closing in 2023. Its music, spectacle, and emotional story kept audiences coming back for decades.