What is the longest running Broadway show?
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show in Broadway history, performing for over 35 years.
The musical opened in 1988 and played 13,981 performances before closing in 2023. It became famous for its massive 1,000-pound chandelier that fell toward the audience during every show.
Nerd's Section
The Phantom of the Opera opened on January 26, 1988, and closed on April 16, 2023. It earned over $1.3 billion in New York City alone. About 20 million people watched the show at the Majestic Theatre during its record-breaking run. Each performance required a team of 125 people, including actors and stagehands.The show used a 1,000-pound chandelier made of 6,000 beads. It moved at 4.2 miles per hour over the heads of the audience. A complex winch system and emergency brakes kept the 1,600 audience members safe. The chandelier traveled a total of 847 miles up and down over 35 years.The famous lake scene used 10 fog machines and 230 pounds of dry ice every night. This created a thick layer of low-lying mist on the stage. The show stayed popular because it combined engineering with a story that attracted tourists from all over the world. It remains the only Broadway show to surpass 10,000 performances.
Verified Fact
FP-0001542 · Mar 4, 2026