32 Broadway Shows That Ran For A Crazy Amount Of Time

Alexandra Ramos
·12 min read
Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton.
Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton.

When it comes to the things that entertain us, we could turn to the best movies on Netflix or the best shows on Hulu or whatever is out there, but I've always loved Broadway shows and musicals.

Believe it or not, some productions have been on that stage for a crazy amount of time, whether it was five years or twenty-plus years. So, if you're curious about Broadway plays or musicals that have been on the stage for an intense amount of time, here are thirty-two that might surprise you.

British soprano Sarah Brightman sitting in a chair, her arms on the armrests, United Kingdom, 1st April 1985.
British soprano Sarah Brightman sitting in a chair, her arms on the armrests, United Kingdom, 1st April 1985.

The Phantom Of The Opera (1988 – 2023)

The Phantom of the Opera is hands down one of the most impressive musicals of all time and features some of the best vocals out there. The original cast of both the West End and Broadway productions included Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine Daaé. Years later, a film production starring Emmy Rossum from the Shameless cast came out in 2004. The production ran on Broadway for 35 years.

Anne Reinking in Annie. She was one of the members of the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago.
Anne Reinking in Annie. She was one of the members of the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago.

Chicago (1996 Revival) (1996 – Present)

Chicago first premiered in 1975, but the Broadway revival that came out in 1996 starring Anne Reinking and Bebe Neuwirth as Roxie and Velma has continued to run for up to 27 years. The production even received a 2002 film adaptation that was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Josh Tower as Simba in the Broadway musical
Josh Tower as Simba in the Broadway musical

The Lion King (1997 – Present)

While The Lion King is one of the best Disney Renaissance films, the musical that came from it is one of the best Broadway shows. It first debuted in 1997 and has been running for 26 years now. The original cast included John Vickery as Scar, Samuel E. Wright as Mufasa, Jason Raize as Simba, and more.

Barry Bostwick in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He was a part of the original cast of Grease.
Barry Bostwick in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He was a part of the original cast of Grease.

Grease (Original Production) (1972 – 1980)

Before the film version of Grease happened, the musical arrived in 1972 and ran for an impressive eight years on Broadway. The original production had cast members such as Barry Bostwick as Danny and Carole Demas as Sandy. There was a 1994 revival, but it wasn't nearly as successful as the first run.

Idina Menzel singing Take Me Or Leave Me in the Rent movie.
Idina Menzel singing Take Me Or Leave Me in the Rent movie.

Rent (1996 – 2008)

Rent was an iconic musical written by Jonathan Larson. It featured some of the best Broadway talent to date, detailing the story of young artists living in Manhattan's East Village during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The original Broadway production included Anthony Rapp as Mark Cohen, Adam Pascal as Roger Davis, Idina Menzel as Maureen Johnson, and more, several of whom reprised their roles in the film adaptation.

Actor Howard Lindsay and actress Dorothy Stickney performing in the play Life with Father.
Actor Howard Lindsay and actress Dorothy Stickney performing in the play Life with Father.

Life With Father (1939 – 1947)

Life with Father was an older play in the earlier days of Broadway about Clarence Day, a father (written by Clarence Day, himself). The show is the longest-running Broadway non-musical and ran for eight years. The original production starred Howard Lindsay as Father, Dorothy Stickney as Vinnie Day, Teresa Wright as Mary Skinner, and more.

Actor Dean Jagger poses for a portrait on the set of
Actor Dean Jagger poses for a portrait on the set of

Tobacco Road (1933 – 1941)

Tobacco Road is a play from Broadway in the 1930s based on the novel of the same name's novel and is the second-longest-running non-musical on Broadway. The play details the life of Tobacco farmers suffering from poverty. The original cast comprised Henry Hull, Margaret Wycherly, Maude Odell, and Dean Jagger.

Betty Buckley with Sissy Spacek in Carrie. Buckley originated the role of Grizabella in Cats.
Betty Buckley with Sissy Spacek in Carrie. Buckley originated the role of Grizabella in Cats.

Cats (1982 – 2000)

Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote Cats, a sung-through musical that received a film adaptation in 2019 that was less than stellar, but the production itself is fantastic. It follows the story of cats who look to be picked as the "Jellicle choice" to receive a new life. The musical ran for eighteen years. The original production included Donna King as Bombalurina, Ken Ard as Macavity, Betty Buckley as Grizabella, and more.

Carol Channing in Alice in Wonderland. She originated the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!
Carol Channing in Alice in Wonderland. She originated the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!

Hello, Dolly! (Original Production) (1964 – 1970)

Hello, Dolly! follows the story of a matchmaker who goes to Yonkers to find a match for a miserable, unmarried millionaire, which seems impossible. The original production ran for six years, and the cast included Carol Channing as Dolly Gallagher Levi, David Burns as Horace Vandergelder, Charles Nelson Reilly as Cornelius Hackl, and more.

John Lloyd Young as Frankie in the film adaptation of Jersey Boys.
John Lloyd Young as Frankie in the film adaptation of Jersey Boys.

Jersey Boys (2005 – 2015)

Running for ten years, Jersey Boys was a jukebox musical with music from The Four Seasons, which tells the story of the success and breakup of the band. The original cast was composed of John Lloyd Young as Frankie Vallie, Christian Hoff as Tommy DeVito, Daniel Reichard as Bob Gaudio, and J. Robert Spencer as Nick Massi.

Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. She was a part of the original cast of My Fair Lady.
Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. She was a part of the original cast of My Fair Lady.

My Fair Lady (Original Production) (1956 – 1962)

My Fair Lady ran for six years and follows the story of a young woman who takes speech lessons to pass as a lady. The original cast consisted of Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins, among others, and won six Tony Awards. Rex Harrison reprised his role in the film adaptation.

Robert LuPone in The Sopranos. He played Zach in A Chorus Line on Broadway.
Robert LuPone in The Sopranos. He played Zach in A Chorus Line on Broadway.

A Chorus Line (1975 – 1990)

A Chorus Line ran for fifteen years and centers on seventeen Broadway dancers who are all auditioning to be a part of one chorus line that would take their career to the next level. The original production starred several big names, including Robert LuPone, Wayne Cilento, Baayork Lee, Kelly Bishop, Sammy Williams, and more.

Matthew Morisson on Glee. He originated the role of Link in Broadway's Hairspray.
Matthew Morisson on Glee. He originated the role of Link in Broadway's Hairspray.

Hairspray (2002 – 2009)

Hairspray is a musical about a young woman who dreams of dancing on a TV show, and when she gets her chance, she uses her new fame for change. The original production on Broadway ran for seven years and starred Marissa Jaret Winokur as Tracy, Harvey Fierstein as Edna, Matthew Morrison as Link Larkin, and more.

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 28: The cast of
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 28: The cast of

Mamma Mia! (2001 – 2015)

Mamma Mia! was a jukebox musical that used the music of ABBA! to tell the story of a young woman inviting three men, whom she presumed could be her father, to her wedding to walk her down the aisle. The original Broadway production ran for fourteen years and starred Louise Pitre as Donna, Judy Kaye as Rosie, Karen Mason as Tanya, and Tina Maddigan as Sophie.

Zero Mostel in The Producers.
Zero Mostel in The Producers.

Fiddler On The Roof (Original Production) (1964 – 1972)

Fiddler on the Roof initially ran for eight years and follows Teyve, a Jewish milkman, and his life with his three daughters who wish to marry for love. The original production starred Zero Mostel, Maria Karnilova, Joanna Merlin, Julia Migenes, Austin Pendleton, and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Cast members Bailey Grey, Karl Kenzler, Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Gavin Lee (Bert) and Megean Osterhaus take their bows during the curtain call for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Cast members Bailey Grey, Karl Kenzler, Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Gavin Lee (Bert) and Megean Osterhaus take their bows during the curtain call for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's

Mary Poppins (2006 – 2013)

Based on one of Julie Andrews's best movies, Mary Poppins, and the children's books of the same name, the Broadway production is about the nanny, Mary Poppins, and her magical powers that help children. The original Broadway production ran for seven years and starred Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins, Gavin Lee as Bert, and Daniel Jenkins as George Banks.

Kristin Chenoweth in Schmigadoon!. She was one of the stars of the original cast of Wicked.
Kristin Chenoweth in Schmigadoon!. She was one of the stars of the original cast of Wicked.

Wicked (2003 – Present)

Wicked is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and has been running for twenty years. The original production starred Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda and a Wicked film adaptation in 2024.

Jonathan Pryce in Brazil. He originated the role of the Engineer in Miss Saigon.
Jonathan Pryce in Brazil. He originated the role of the Engineer in Miss Saigon.

Miss Saigon (Original Production) (1991 – 2001)

The Broadway production of Miss Saigon is based on the opera Madame Butterfly and follows the story of an Asian woman and her American lover during the Vietnam War. The original Broadway production ran for ten years and starred Lea Salonga as Kim, Jonathan Pryce as the Engineer, and Willy Falk as Chris.

NEW YORK - JULY 09: Robert McClure from the cast of
NEW YORK - JULY 09: Robert McClure from the cast of

Avenue Q (2003 – 2009)

Avenue Q is a parody of Sesame Street but is very adult and talks about real-life problems that involve serious topics. The original Broadway production ran for six years before moving to Off-Broadway. The original cast included John Tartaglia, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Rick Lyon, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Jordan Felber, Anne Harada, and Jennifer Barnhart.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in Disney+'s Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda in Disney+'s Hamilton

Hamilton (2015 – Present)

Created by epic lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton is a musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton. It was immensely successful and continues to run in its eighth year. The original Hamilton cast included Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler, and more.

Susan Egan in Modern Family. She originated the role of Belle in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast.
Susan Egan in Modern Family. She originated the role of Belle in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast.

Beauty And The Beast (1994 – 2007)

Based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name, Beauty and the Beast is about a young man turned into a beast who must learn to love to turn back into a human. The production ran for thirteen years, and the original cast included Susan Egan, Terrence Mann, Burke Moses, Gary Beach, Beth Fowler, and more.

Billy Porter in Pose. Porter originated the role of Lola in Kinky Boots.
Billy Porter in Pose. Porter originated the role of Lola in Kinky Boots.

Kinky Boots (2013 – 2019)

Kinky Boots ran for six years and tells the story of a young man who inherited a shoe factory from his father and teams up with a drag queen to produce a line of shoes to save the business from going under. The original production included actors such as Billy Porter as Lola, Stark Sands as Charlie Price, and Annaleigh Ashford as Lauren.

Anthony Boyle in Tetris, one of the stars of the original cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Anthony Boyle in Tetris, one of the stars of the original cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child (2018 – Present)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been running for five years on Broadway and is considered a sequel to the Harry Potter films and books, telling the story of Harry's child, Albus Severus Potter. It stars Jamie Parker, Paul Thornley, Poppy Miller, Anthony Boyle, and more.

Nathan Lane on Only Murders in the Building. He originated the role of Max Bialystock in The Producers.
Nathan Lane on Only Murders in the Building. He originated the role of Max Bialystock in The Producers.

The Producers (2001 – 2007)

The Producers is based on the film of the same name, which tells the story of two theatrical producers who attempt to get rich by overselling Broadway musicals, but the catch is that they're all doomed not to do well. Ka-ching! The original Broadway cast included Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Cady Huffman, and Gary Beach, among others.

American stage and television actor Jerry Orbach (1935 - 2004) (right) and the cast of the Broadway musical 42nd Street looking on as the show's producer David Merrick (1911 - 2000) (center), at the curtain call, announces that the show's director, Gower Champion, had died of a rare blood disease some hours earlier.
American stage and television actor Jerry Orbach (1935 - 2004) (right) and the cast of the Broadway musical 42nd Street looking on as the show's producer David Merrick (1911 - 2000) (center), at the curtain call, announces that the show's director, Gower Champion, had died of a rare blood disease some hours earlier.

42nd Street (Original Production) (1980 – 1989)

42nd Street originally came out in 1980 and ran for nine years. The play is based on the 1933 film of the same name and tells the story of a cast on Broadway during the time of The Great Depression. The original cast comprised stars such as Wanda Richert, Lee Roy Reams, Tammy Grimes, Carole Cooke, Jerry Orbach, and more.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Josh Piterman performs the role of Gerry Goffin and Esther Hannaford the role of Carole King during rehearsal for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Lyric Theatre, Star City on September 21, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Josh Piterman performs the role of Gerry Goffin and Esther Hannaford the role of Carole King during rehearsal for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Lyric Theatre, Star City on September 21, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (2014 – 2019)

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical ran for five years and was a jukebox musical that told the story of Carole King and her rise to fame. The original Broadway production featured the voice talents of Jessie Mueller, Jake Epstein, Anika Larsen, and Jeb Brown, among others.

Terrence Mann in Foundation. He originated the Broadway role of Javert.
Terrence Mann in Foundation. He originated the Broadway role of Javert.

Les Misérables (Original Production) (1987 – 2003)

Les Misérables is probably one of the most well-known musicals of all time, and it ran for an impressive sixteen years. The production was based on the book of the same name and told the story of Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who breaks his parole and starts a new life taking care of a young girl, which later involves him in the French Revolution.

The original Broadway production included stars such as Colm Wilkinson, Terrence Mann, Randy Graff, Judy Kuhn, Frances Ruffelle, and Leo Burmester, among others. It was later turned into a film adaptation in 2013, which I've rewatched and had some opinions on – the stage musical is better.

(Original Caption) This is the original company in the 1943 production of Oklahoma. From left are Lee Dixon, (Will Parker); Celeste Holm, (Ado Annie); Alfred Drake, (Curly); Joan Roberts, (Laurey); Joseph Buloff, (Ali Hakim); and Betty Garde, (Aunt Eller).
(Original Caption) This is the original company in the 1943 production of Oklahoma. From left are Lee Dixon, (Will Parker); Celeste Holm, (Ado Annie); Alfred Drake, (Curly); Joan Roberts, (Laurey); Joseph Buloff, (Ali Hakim); and Betty Garde, (Aunt Eller).

Oklahoma! (Original Production) (1943 – 1948)

Oklahoma! was a stage musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs. It details the story of a young farm girl who has to choose between two suitors of different lifestyles. The original Broadway production ran for five years and starred Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Howard da Silva, Betty Garde, Celeste Holm, and more.

Constantine Maroulis in the music video for
Constantine Maroulis in the music video for

Rock Of Ages (2009 – 2015)

Rock of Ages ran for six years and is a jukebox musical that follows the story of two wannabe rockers who get close while working together in a bar in Los Angeles. The original Broadway cast included Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger, Mitchell Jarvis, Wesley Taylor, Lauren Molina and more.

Josh Gad in Murder on the Orient Express. He was one of the stars of the original cast of The Book of Mormon.
Josh Gad in Murder on the Orient Express. He was one of the stars of the original cast of The Book of Mormon.

The Book Of Mormon (2011 – Present)

The Book of Mormon hails from the South Park creators Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone and follows the story of two Mormon missionaries assigned to Africa to preach the word of Jesus Christ. The musical has run for twelve years, and the original Broadway production included Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Potts, Nikki M. James, Rory O'Malley, and Lewis Cleale.

New York: Annie is played by Andrea McArdle, 13, of Philadelphia. Reid Shelton plays Oliver Warbucks. Sandy was discovered at the Humane Society in Newington, Connecticut, just before he was to have been put away. Producer Mike Nichols will open musical next week in Washington, D. C., for a five week run before bringing it to Broadway in April.
New York: Annie is played by Andrea McArdle, 13, of Philadelphia. Reid Shelton plays Oliver Warbucks. Sandy was discovered at the Humane Society in Newington, Connecticut, just before he was to have been put away. Producer Mike Nichols will open musical next week in Washington, D. C., for a five week run before bringing it to Broadway in April.

Annie (Original Production) (1977 – 1983)

Annie is based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie and ran for six years. It tells the story of little orphan Annie, a young girl who lives in an orphanage when Oliver Warbucks changed her life. The original cast was Andrea McArdle, Reid Shelton, Dorothy Loudon, Sandy Faison, Robert Fitch, and Barbara Erwin.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Michael James Scott attends
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Michael James Scott attends

Aladdin (2014 – Present)

Aladdin is based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name and follows the story of the titular character, Aladdin, as he makes three wishes from a Genie to win Princess Jasmine's heart. The Broadway production has run for nine years so far, and the original cast included Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart, Courtney Reed, Jonathan Freeman, Clifton Davis, and more.

These musicals are genuinely out of this world and impressive to have run for so long, and there will be even more to add to this list as time goes on. I feel like singing a song now.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next