How long do Broadway show last?
A Broadway musical usually lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours.
It is divided into acts and there are breaks in between, so you can go out to the restroom and stretch your legs without missing a minute of the play.
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show in Broadway history. It officially opened on January 26, 1988 and is still playing at the Majestic. Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical won 7, 1988 Tony Awards which included Best Musical. What is the "Hadestown" Broadway musical about?
On average, the majority of West End shows typically have a performance running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes, with many evening shows beginning at 7:30pm. This means that the show will end by 10:00pm, and you can head home after an entertaining performance.
Broadway – Longest Running Broadway Shows
Click on heading to sort. Mamma Mia! Hello, Dolly! Oklahoma!
Both formal and informal clothing is accepted. From casual t-shirts, jeans and flip-flops to a cocktail dress or tuxedo, the spectrum of audience style is so broad that there is no specific dress code.
Arrive 20-30 minutes before showtime
To avoid missing the opening of the show, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime. This will give you enough time to go through security, deposit any bags or luggage, if needed and make your way to your seat.
Rank | Title | Opening date |
---|---|---|
1 | The Phantom of the Opera | January 26, 1988 |
2 | Chicago (1996 revival) | November 14, 1996 |
3 | The Lion King | November 13, 1997 |
4 | Cats | October 7, 1982 |
No. | Title | Opening date |
---|---|---|
1. | La Strada | December 14, 1969 |
1. | Little Johnny Jones (1982 revival) | March 21, 1982 |
1. | The Moony Shapiro Songbook | May 3, 1981 |
1. | Moose Murders | February 22, 1983 |
About the Show
2 hours and 55 minutes, including one intermission. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
How long is Broadway intermission?
Most Broadway shows with a running time that exceeds 90 minutes will include an intermission. Intermissions can be anywhere from 10-20 minutes, with 15-minute breaks being by far the most common.
Oklahoma! tops the list as the longest running show, debuting on Broadway in 1943, it is continually revived and performed today in theatres across the world.

Having won 6 Tony Awards in 1998, The Lion King quickly made its way into the hearts of critics and audiences. Based on the 1994 animated Disney movie of the same name, it is also the longest running Disney Theatrical Productions show.
Life With Father played 3,224 performances from 1939 to 1947, making it the longest-running nonmusical play on Broadway.
Disney's first Broadway production was “Beauty and the Beast”, which made its bow in 1994. The musical ran for 13 years and was soon joined by other theatrical adaptations of classics such as The Lion King, Aladdin and Mary Poppins.
Phones must be turned off during the performance, but you may be able to take pictures and share your experience before and after the show and at intermission. Many theatres offer free WiFi, and shows have great ways to share social content and be a part of the conversation.
No outside items are allowed to be brought in, except one 24oz commercially sealed bottle of water per person. Empty (24oz or less) re-usable water bottles are allowed at Broadway events only.
They can call the cops! Cell phone use at theatres, movie houses, concerts, museums, libraries and galleries is now against the law in New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's veto of a bill banning the devices at public cultural events was overrided Feb. 13 by New York's City Council.
Broadway Shows are a huge attraction in NYC for locals and tourists alike. We know people who plan trips just for the shows. Whether you're into Broadway or not, it's worth doing at least once since it's such a big part of the New York experience.
Can you bring food/drinks into a Broadway theatre? Generally, no. While you might get away with sneaking in a small snack, like a candy bar, don't even think about trying to bring a meal or large food items into the theatre. Many theatres will allow you to bring in a bottle of water, especially if it is sealed.
Can I bring a purse to a Broadway show?
Luggage, shopping bags, and other large packages that will not fit comfortably with you at your seat will not be checked or allowed inside the theatre. For your convenience, please make other arrangements for these items before arriving.
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
- Hamilton.
- Death of a Salesman.
- Chicago.
- MJ The Musical.
- Wicked.
- Take Me Out.
How much does a Broadway Actor make in New York? The average Broadway Actor salary in New York is $71,034 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $58,537 and $86,730.
Most Broadway shows perform six days a week, with eight performances total per week. Typically, Broadway shows have performances Tuesday through Sunday, with no performances on Monday. There are usually two performances — a matinee and an evening show — on Wednesday and Saturday.
Unlike modern cineplexes and sports stadiums, most Broadway theatres are very old buildings, some built in the late 1800's. All these theatres happen to have fairly small seats because 100 years ago, people were considerably smaller than they are now.
Broadway shows are typically not very casual, so it's advisable to avoid wearing shorts. They're not always very flattering. Also, the theater can get quite cold, so you'll likely be wishing you had worn pants instead.
Of the 100 musicals analysed, we crowned Les Misérables as the saddest.
- The Lion King. The Lion King | Andrew Burton/Getty Images.
- Wicked. Wicked | Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images. ...
- The Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom of the Opera | Andrew H. ...
- Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! ...
- The 1996 revival of Chicago. ...
- Jersey Boys. ...
- The Book of Mormon. ...
- Beauty and the Beast. ...
- My Fair Lady (1956)
- The Sound of Music (1959)
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1971)
- Chicago (1975)
- Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979)
- Les Miserables (1985)
- Phantom of the Opera (1986)
- Rent (1996)
What Is the Proper Attire for a Broadway Show? Business casual or smart casual clothing is always considered proper Broadway show attire. It's a surefire way to ensure that you'll look appropriate, whether you're attending a matinee, an evening performance, or opening night.
Is there a dress code to watch Hamilton?
There is no specific dress code for attending a Broadway musical. It is customary to wear comfortable and appropriate clothing. Kind of like smart-casual etiquette since no one usually overdresses up as if it were the opera.
So, would it be necessary to wear a suit or a long gown? Definitely not. However, it's nice to keep the tradition alive and make a small effort. Dark jeans or pants with a button down shirt, camisole, or sundress/cocktail dress would probably be the most appropriate attire.
Plan enough time to use the restroom before you sit down, because it's important to not get up while the performance is going on. During intermission, if you know you'll need to use the restroom, prioritize that because you won't be the only person there who needs a bathroom break.
There is no law against walking out the door during intermission, but it can be a dilemma. You're at a concert or a play and for whatever reason decide you don't really want to go back for the second half of the performance. If enough people think the same thing, it can mean a lot of empty seats after the break.
Go to the toilet BEFORE the show starts
We know that queues for the toilet in a theatre can be as long as the Nile, but getting up during the performance to empty your bladder is not acceptable, it's distracting to those around you and often to those on stage.
1. "The Simpsons" (1989-Present)
All good things must come to an end! Countless shows open and close every year, with closing dates announced as far in advance as six months or as soon as within a few days. No matter when a show announces that it is closing, you are always entitled to a full refund of your tickets.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific has won more Tony Awards over all of its Broadway productions to date than any other musical. That's 17 Tonys: 10 for the original 1949 production, plus seven for the 2008 revival.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh has cited the production's high running costs, amid a lower tourist audience on Broadway, as the reason for the show's closure (several international productions of the show are still running).
Culprits include costs, COVID and crime. All have chased away free-spending tourists and Broadway customers, who are basically the same people. Despite an average Broadway price of $113.29 per ticket, many shows struggled to break even, with high production costs and soft sales.
Do Broadway shows run 7 days a week?
While the traditional Broadway schedule runs Tuesday through Sunday (with Sunday and Monday evenings off), a handful of productions diverge slightly and offer performances at non-traditional times, particularly during the holidays.
A film of Walt Disney's first animated creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which has been lost since 1928, has been discovered.
The Lion King is the highest-grossing Broadway show of all time. Since its opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has earned $1,539,318,552 and counting.
How far you will go in this new Broadway Junior musical based on the hit Disney film? Disney's Moana JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage.
1. Perfect Crime. A wily cop tries to psych out a possibly homicidal shrink in Warren Manzi's moldy, convoluted Off Broadway whodunit. Catherine Russell, who has starred in the show since it opened, holds the world record for most performances in a female role.
Hamilton is a sung-and-rapped-through musical by the American composer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Composed over a seven-year period from 2008 to 2015, the musical tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.
Most Broadway shows perform six days a week, with eight performances total per week. Typically, Broadway shows have performances Tuesday through Sunday, with no performances on Monday. There are usually two performances — a matinee and an evening show — on Wednesday and Saturday.
Not usually because the stage floor will be too high to see all of the action, especially dancing in a musical. Usually, it is best to seat about 5 rows back where the rake of the audience begins. The exception is if you just want to be as close as possible to a celeb you want to see.
Broadway's 'The Phantom of the Opera' to close after nearly 35 years The Broadway production of "The Phantom of the Opera" will close in February, after nearly 35 years in performance. It was doomed in part by slow post-pandemic ticket sales.
Literally anything you want. Right know I'm sitting here during the intermission and I see people with any type of clothes. From jeans and a sweatshirt to a tux. So chill out and wear something comfortable.
Who will be the cast of Hamilton 2022?
- Miguel Cervantes. Alexander Hamilton.
- Nik Walker. Aaron Burr.
- Euan Morton. King George.
- Jennie Harney-Fleming. Angelica Schuyler.
- Tamar Greene. George Washington.
- Stephanie Jae Park. Eliza Hamilton.
- Kyle Scatliffe. Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson.
- Fergie L. Philippe. Hercules Mulligan/James Madison.