Took leadTitleTypeOpening dateClosing datePerformancesComments/Notes
January 9, 2006The Phantom of the OperaMJanuary 26, 1988-12,927Currently running at the Majestic Theatre 7 Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical 7 Drama Desk Awards in 1988 Broadway's longest-running show and musical
June 19, 1997CatsMOctober 7, 1982September 10, 20007,4857 Tony Awards in 1983, including Best Musical 3 Drama Desk Awards in 1983 Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1984
September 29, 1983A Chorus LineMJuly 25, 1975April 28, 19906,1379 Tony Awards in 1976, including Best Musical 5 Drama Desk Awards in 1976, including Outstanding Musical A Special Tony Award in 1984 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976 Revival in 2006 (759 performances)
December 8, 1979GreaseMFebruary 14, 1972April 13, 19803,3882 Drama Desk Awards in 1972 Revivals in 1994 (1,505 performances) and 2007 (554 performances)
June 17, 1972Fiddler on the RoofMSeptember 22, 1964July 2, 19723,242Became longest running musical in July 1971, at 2,845 performances passing 2,844 mark of Hello Dolly!. 9 Tony Awards in 1965, including Best Musical A Special Tony Award in 1972 for becoming Broadway's longest-running musical Revivals in 1976 (167 performances), 1981 (53 performances), 1990, (241 performances), 2004 (781 performances), and 2015 (431 performances)
June 14, 1947Life with FatherPNovember 8, 1939July 12, 19473,224Broadway's longest-running straight play. Started at Empire Theatre, moved to the Bijou Theatre in 1945, and finished up its run in 1947 at the Alvin Theatre.
June 1939Tobacco RoadPDecember 4, 1933May 31, 19413,182Revivals in 1942 (34 performances), 1943 (66 performances), and 1950 (7 performances)
May 23, 1925Abie's Irish RosePMay 23, 1923October 1, 19272,327Revivals in 1937 (46 performances) and 1954 (20 performances)
March 17, 1920Lightnin'PAugust 26, 1918August 27, 19211,291Revival in 1938 (54 performances)
June 22, 1893A Trip to ChinatownMNovember 9, 1891August 7, 1893657-
December 1885AdonisMSeptember 4, 1884April 17, 1886603-
May 1881Hazel KirkePFebruary 4, 1880May 31, 1881486250th performance programme claimed play had exceeded number of consecutive performances of any "similar play" in the country on its 238th performance, which is no doubt a reference to Pique (1875) which ran for 237 performances.
August 5, 1867The Black CrookMSeptember 12, 1866January 4, 1868474First Broadway show to run for over one year. In terms of a "musical", The Seven Sisters (1860–61, 253 perf.), was probably the longest running show closest to a "musical" prior to this.
1853Uncle Tom's Cabin (Aiken version)PAugust 8, 1853May 13, 1854325Has generally been classified as a play, though some arguments have been made that it was a musical. Played at the National Theatre.
1850The DrunkardP1850October 7, 1850?100As of October 7, 1850, it hit 100 consecutive performances in New York, the first play to do so. At Barnum's American Museum.
September 24, 1844Putnam, the Iron Son of '76PAugust 5, 1844November 2, 184478At the Bowery Theatre. If Mazeppa ran 43 nights in 1833 and was previous record, Putnam became most performed on its 44th performance on September 24, 1844.
1833Mazeppa, Or, The Wild Horse of UkrainePJuly 22, 1833September 9, 183343At the Bowery Theatre with George Gale as Mazeppa.
1831The Elephant of Siam and the Fire Fiend by Samuel BeazleyPJanuary 10, 1831?18At the Bowery Theatre, the first season under Thomas S. Hamblin, who embraced melodramas which might support longer runs.