Broadway–the street in New York City where dreams come true. Aspiring actors from across the world travel to the city in order to ‘make it on Broadway.’ We see spectacular shows and wonderful actors, and enter into an environment that makes anyone feel special in seconds. As we think about Broadway, it is as important to take a look at the shows that have changed the theater world forever.
The longest running show in Broadway history is Phantom of the Opera. From 1988 to 2023, the world saw one of the most memorable shows. We see themes of love, obsession, and beauty tied together with music and spectacular effects. Its legacy allowed for musical theater to explode, as it continued to inspire musicals to enter the Broadway scene. Despite being run for so long, people still flocked to the theater and were amazed at the beautiful show.
While Broadway shows provide an extraordinary revenue, one stands out among the rest as the highest grossest show–The Lion King. Generating over $4.6 billion dollars, it has run on Broadway since 1997 and continues to be shown into 2026. Identity, loss, and responsibility are all portrayed in a way that makes the audience continue to come back for more. The show won six Tony awards in 1998, in a multitude of categories.
Our memorable shows that have had the top ticket sales over the years include Wicked, Hamilton, and Mamma Mia! These productions all include music that has impacted both the musical theater and music industries as a whole. Not only do we hear these songs at the show, but we hear them on the radio, on our playlists, and on social media platforms. They have all made their own impact on the world, allowing for the genre of musical theater to continue to transform. We have seen these shows turn into movies, produced on Broadway and off, and generate huge fanbases that remain loyal to these shows.
Theater touches us all in its own way. Some of us are avid fans, while some of us have not attended a show in years. Whatever the case may be, Broadway has allowed individuals a sense of belonging and possibility. Forever a landmark to New York City, Broadway has gifted us some of the most amazing portrayals of art.
