Have a song and dance
Broadway theatre, or simply Broadway, refers to the theatrical performances presented in the 41 professional theatres. Each of these has the capacity to seat 500 or more people. They are located in the Theatre District and Lincoln Centre along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, the U.S.
Here are five of the longest running musicals in Broadway.
Beauty and the Beast
Based on the animated Disney film released in 1991, this musical was the first of its kind to hit Broadway. The first production of “Beauty and the Beast” opened at the Palace Theatre in April, 1994. After more than 5,500 performances “Beauty and the Beast” closed its curtain for the last time on July 29, 2007.
Mamma Mia
This rock musical, written with the music of the famous disco quartet ABBA, has been a huge success all over the world. It is a quaint little story about a girl who goes home, to an island in Greece where her mother lives and gets ready to marry her love. The one wish this girl has is to meet her father, who is one of a possible three men that her mother was involved with at the time of her conception.
It opened in 2001, and closed for good in 2015 after 5,773 Broadway shows under its belt.
Les Misérables
Running for 6,680 shows this musical is a favourite of many and has a story that has been produced on many other stages and even turned into a movie.
It opened on March 12, 1987 and it ran for nearly 7,000 performances.
Cats
This musical has a revival that is still running today and continues to break records at the box office, and recently pulled in more than a million dollars in a week. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical got its inspiration from the T.S. Eliot piece, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”.
The show opened in October 1982 and performed 6,138 shows before the original production closed in 2000.
The Lion King
Another adaptation of a Disney animated film that sits on the list of highest-grossing at the box office just this month. Elton John’s alluring musical stylings mixed with costume designs that are not only original but far surpass any other attempts in the genre are what keeps this musical so popular today.
To date, “The Lion King” has given 7,883 performances, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping.
The Phantom of the Opera
The reigning champ is a classic tale that is based on the novel by Gaston Leroux. Performing for 11,949 shows, this production opened its doors in 1988. Phantom is still running and continues to entertain.