The Magic of The Musical: Longest Running Musicals Countdown

September 19, 2026   Programming

NOW AVAILABLE ON MIXCLOUD

Wel­come to September’s episode of The Mag­ic of The Musi­cal, where host Cale­do­nia Sky­tow­er explores the songs, sto­ries, and lore of the musi­cal theatre.

Tune in at 2pm slt/pacific on Sat­ur­day, Sep­tem­ber 19th for the newest episode as she counts down the top twen­ty longest run­ning stage musi­cals in the Eng­lish-speak­ing theater.

Join us on-the-air or at Sean­chai Library’s Ceil­u­radh Glen for today’s broadcast.

TMoTM S05E06 — Longest Running Countdown

The numer­ic nota­tions were accu­rate as of May 31, 2026 (Play­bill) and are based on the open­ing dates of the New York productions.

*Shows that are still per­form­ing in New York.

1. The Fan­ta­sticks 17,162 the longest run­ning musi­cal in the world has nev­er been on Broad­way. With music by Har­vey Schmidt and lyrics and a book by Tom Jones, The Fan­ta­sticks thrived off-Broad­way from 1960 to 2022 = 42 years.
2. The Phan­tom of the Opera 13,981 The orig­i­nal Broad­way pro­duc­tion of Andrew LLoyd Webber’s The Phan­tom of the Opera has been run­ning for 35 years (1988)
3. * Chica­go (1996 Revival) 11,680 The 1996 Broad­way revival of Chica­go has been run­ning for 29 years. It’s still run­ning and is the longest run­ning revival of all time.
4. * The Lion King 11,305 The orig­i­nal Broad­way pro­duc­tion of The Lion King has been run­ning for 28 years. It’s still run­ning. (1997)
5. * Wicked 8,843 The orig­i­nal Broad­way pro­duc­tion of Wicked has been run­ning for 22 years. (2003)
6. Cats 7,485 20 years and six months. (1982)
7. Les Mis­érables 6,680 Just over 18 years. (1987)
8. A Cho­rus Line 6,137 Just under 17 years. (1975)
9. Oh! Cal­cut­ta! (1976 Revival) 5,959 Just over 16 years.
10. Mam­ma Mia! 5,758 Just under 16 years. (2001)
11. * The Book of Mor­mon 5,667 15 years and six months.(2011)
12. Beau­ty and the Beast 5,461 Just under 15 years. (1994)
13. Rent 5,123 14 years. (1996)
14. Jer­sey Boys 4,642 Just under 13 years. (2005)
15. * Aladdin 4,469 Just over 12 years. (2011)
16. Miss Saigon 4,092 Just over 11 years. (1991)
17. * Hamil­ton 3,909 Just under 11 years. (2015)
18. 42nd Street 3,486 Nine and a half years (1980)
19. Grease 3,388 Just over 9 years. (1972)
20. Fid­dler on the Roof 3,242 Just under 9 years. (1964)

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