#
|
Closed
|
Production
|
13,981
|
2023
|
The Phantom of the Opera
|
10,657
|
active
|
Chicago
|
10,276
|
active
|
The Lion King
|
7,815
|
active
|
Wicked
|
7,485
|
2000
|
Cats
|
6,680
|
2003
|
Les Misérables
|
6,137
|
1990
|
A Chorus Line
|
5,959
|
1989
|
Oh! Calcutta!
|
5,758
|
2015
|
Mamma Mia!
|
5,461
|
2007
|
Beauty and the Beast
|
5,123
|
2008
|
Rent
|
4,671
|
active
|
The Book of Mormon
|
4,642
|
2017
|
Jersey Boys
|
4,092
|
2001
|
Miss Saigon
|
3,486
|
1989
|
42nd Street
|
3,442
|
active
|
Aladdin
|
3,388
|
1989
|
Grease
|
3,242
|
1972
|
Fiddler on the Roof
|
3,224
|
1947
|
Life with Father
|
3,182
|
1941
|
Tobacco Road
|
2,885
|
active
|
Hamilton
|
2,844
|
1970
|
Hello, Dolly!
|
2,717
|
1962
|
My Fair Lady
|
2,642
|
2009
|
Hairspray
|
2,619
|
2013
|
Mary Poppins
|
2,534
|
2009
|
Avenue Q
|
2,505
|
2019
|
Kinky Boots
|
2,502
|
2007
|
The Producers
|
2,416
|
2019
|
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
|
2,377
|
1983
|
Annie
|
2,377
|
2004
|
Cabaret
|
2,328
|
1971
|
Man of La Mancha
|
2,328
|
2015
|
Rock of Ages
|
2,327
|
1927
|
Abie's Irish Rose
|
2,212
|
1948
|
Oklahoma!
|
2,036
|
2000
|
Smokey Joe's Cafe
|
1,944
|
1977
|
Pippin
|
1,925
|
1954
|
South Pacific
|
1,920
|
1978
|
The Magic Show
|
1,852
|
2004
|
Aida
|
1,819
|
1981
|
Gemini
|
1,793
|
1982
|
Deathtrap
|
1,775
|
1949
|
Harvey
|
1,774
|
1982
|
Dancin'
|
1,761
|
1987
|
La Cage aux Folles
|
1,750
|
1972
|
Hair
|
1,672
|
2022
|
Dear Evan Hansen
|
1,672
|
1979
|
The Wiz
|
1,669
|
2022
|
Come from Away
|
1,657
|
active
|
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
|
1,642
|
1949
|
Born Yesterday
|
|
#
|
Closed
|
Production
|
1,622
|
1996
|
Crazy for You
|
1,604
|
1982
|
Ain't Misbehavin'
|
1,584
|
1982
|
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
|
1,575
|
2009
|
Spamalot
|
1,572
|
1964
|
Mary, Mary
|
1,567
|
1983
|
Evita
|
1,557
|
1948
|
The Voice of the Turtle
|
1,554
|
2017
|
Matilda
|
1,544
|
2020
|
Waitress
|
1,543
|
2001
|
Jekyll & Hyde
|
1,530
|
1967
|
Barefoot in the Park
|
1,524
|
2005
|
42nd Street
|
1,521
|
1985
|
Dreamgirls
|
1,508
|
1970
|
Mame
|
1,505
|
1998
|
Grease
|
1,453
|
1978
|
Same Time, Next Year
|
1,444
|
1944
|
Arsenic and Old Lace
|
1,443
|
1963
|
The Sound of Music
|
1,420
|
1989
|
Me and My Girl
|
1,417
|
1965
|
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
|
1,404
|
1941
|
Hellzapoppin'
|
1,375
|
1961
|
The Music Man
|
1,356
|
active
|
Hadestown
|
1,348
|
1967
|
Funny Girl
|
1,326
|
1980
|
Mummenschanz
|
1,314
|
1972
|
Oh! Calcutta!
|
1,312
|
2012
|
Billy Elliot the Musical
|
1,309
|
2019
|
School of Rock
|
1,303
|
2005
|
Movin' Out
|
1,299
|
1986
|
Brighton Beach Memoirs
|
1,295
|
1944
|
Angel Street
|
1,291
|
1921
|
Lightnin'
|
1,281
|
1972
|
Promises, Promises
|
1,246
|
1954
|
The King and I
|
1,234
|
1968
|
Cactus Flower
|
1,222
|
1973
|
Sleuth
|
1,222
|
1985
|
Torch Song Trilogy
|
1,217
|
1972
|
1776
|
1,209
|
active
|
Moulin Rouge!
|
1,209
|
1977
|
Equus
|
1,208
|
1982
|
Sugar Babies
|
1,200
|
1953
|
Guys and Dolls
|
1,184
|
2011
|
In the Heights
|
1,181
|
1983
|
Amadeus
|
1,168
|
2015
|
Once
|
1,165
|
1969
|
Cabaret
|
1,165
|
2012
|
Memphis
|
1,157
|
1951
|
Mister Roberts
|
1,147
|
1949
|
Annie Get Your Gun
|
1,143
|
1995
|
Guys and Dolls
|
|
Interestingly, The Book of Mormon climbed some 40 + spaces on the list in the last 2 years though, now at #31, but elapsed time from debut also puts it at 31... looking at the whole list, the order by elapsed time stays very close to the order by show count, with only a couple being more than 3 spaces different, so I'll withdraw my objection.
Even of the 60 I did not get, as soon as I read the name, I was like, oh yeah!
Ironically the number of these that I've actually seen is probably not that high but I guess the names of plays and musicals are so often short, memorable, and find their way into popular language usage.