Phantom, the longest running show on Broadway since . . .
Check this out. On Decem
ber 2, 1979, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (July 14-19, 2009) lost its title as the longest running show in Broadway history. It fell to the perennial favorite GREASE. GREASE (March 3-8, 2009) was the longest running show on Broadway till it was knocked out of the top spot by A CHORUS LINE (August 12-17, 2008) When CATS (June 3-8, 2008) hit 6138 performances, it overtook A CHORUS LINE as the longest running show in Broadway history–and on January 9, 2006, PHANTOM (July 16 – August 10 2008) became the undisputed king of Broadway, and it’s still running today. In the next calendar year and a half, Presented by Broadway/San Diego, the San Diego Civic Theatre will house the top 5 record breaking Broadway shows of all time. So what makes PHANTOM so great? Romance, mystery, drama, and the aura of higher art ‘Opera’ are typical responses. Of course the great music is always the first and foremost reason. But then 
there’s that 
amazing set that transforms time and again, just when you think you’ve seen it all it does one more amazing thing. And the costumes? It’s a great period piece and the production takes full advantage of that fact – the costume designers put ALL the money on the stage. And what about the lighting? Or the props? Or the . . .
Because PHANTOM has such universal appeal, it has become somewhat of an entry experience to the theatre. Many people when asked “what was your first show” will reply “PHANTOM”. The show has been responsible for so many people getting ‘hooked’ on theatre. The numbers on this show in terms of attendance, dollars earned, performances worldwide et cetera are staggering. Its just such a phenomenon and I’m really looking forward to the return of the show to San Diego.
Oh and by the way, before FIDDLER it was HELLO DOLLY, and there’s no production of that on the horizon. Oh well, you can’t have everything.
And also by the way, there have been other shows that ran longer than those that I’ve mentioned above but they didn’t break previously set records. They ran or are running while another show was or is the title holder.
Click this link: Playbill for the list of longest runs in Broadway history as of March 23, 2008 as listed in Playbill. See where YOUR favorites fit in.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
We saw it the first time with Michael Crawford in London,1986; he was MAGNIFICENT and dominated the production; we raved for weeks. The next time was in San Diego in 1994 ( I think) and it was BETTER than the London version. San Diego’s “Phantom” was very good but did not overpower the production and we enjoyed it if not more, at least equally.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Thanks for the comment - that’s the thing about this show and these producers - we don’t know casting yet, but I GUARANTEE that the performers will be fabulous - and the production values and beauty of the show will be virtually unmatched! Keep comments coming. I’d like to know how many times folks have seen the show - and what was your most memorable experience? - DEW/BSD
April 29th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in nyc a couple months ago and it was amazing I even got to meet a cast member and she was talking about how she has been with the Phantom for nearly 6 years and she said that most broadway stars are lucky if they get 2 years let alone 6. I had a great time in ny and I even got to see wicked and legally blonde all the musicals were fabulous!!