Broadway’s Greatest Hits: 20 Legendary Musical Productions

Broadway’s Greatest Hits: 20 Legendary Musical Productions

Broadway has produced some of the most iconic and legendary musicals ever, from The Phantom of the Opera starring Michael Crawford to Hamilton featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda.

These spectacular shows with stunning visuals, unforgettable music, and A-list talent like Barbra Streisand have transported audiences to dazzling worlds in cities including New York and Paris.

This article will highlight 20 all-time greatest Broadway musical productions including Cats, Les Misérables, Wicked, and The Lion King.

These revolutionary shows are known for epic storytelling, showstopping numbers, and introducing beloved characters that have paved the way for subsequent Broadway hits.

1. Wicked (2003)

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“Wicked,” the 2003 Broadway musical, achieved legendary status through its captivating narrative that reimagines the Wizard of Oz.

The show’s success is propelled by the exceptional compositions of Stephen Schwartz, with iconic songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good.”

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth’s stellar performances as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, contributed to its acclaim.

Set against the backdrop of the magical Emerald City, the production gained global recognition, resonating with audiences from New York’s Broadway to London’s West End.

Its influence extends to renowned venues like the Gershwin Theatre, drawing patrons into a spellbinding world where friendship, love, and self-discovery defy gravity.

2. The Phantom of the Opera (1986)

“The Phantom of the Opera” (1986) stands as a legendary Broadway musical, enriched by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless compositions like “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You.”

Staged in iconic theaters like New York’s Majestic Theatre and London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, it has mesmerized audiences globally. The haunting tale, set in the grand Paris Opera House, intertwines with Gaston Leroux’s classic novel.

The Phantom, portrayed by celebrated actors like Michael Crawford, embodies the production’s mystique.

This enduring masterpiece, honored at renowned events like the Tony Awards, has found a permanent residence in the cultural repertoire, echoing through the grand halls of musical history.

3. Les Misérables (1987)

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 Les Misérables, based on Victor Hugo‘s famous 1862 French novel, opened on Broadway in 1987 to critical and popular acclaim.

Led by legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh and featuring iconic songs like “I Dreamed a Dream” sung by Broadway star Patti LuPone in the first production, “One Day More,” and “On My Own,” the musical has been seen by over 120 million people across 44 countries and 21 languages.

Performed in theaters like the historic Imperial Theatre in New York City and London’s Queen’s Theatre in the West End, Les Mis is the world’s longest-running musical and a beloved part of musical theater history.

4. The Lion King (1997)

Disney’s The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997, quickly joining the pantheon of legendary musicals.

With music by Elton John and Tim Rice, the original production was directed by Julie Taymor, famed for her visually stunning theatrical designs as seen in productions staged at iconic venues like La MaMa in New York City.

Featuring the Grammy-winning songs “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” that resonated with audiences across generations, The Lion King has achieved unprecedented success.

The Lion King has run for over 9,000 performances on Broadway and around the world in cities like London, Tokyo, and Hamburg, making it one of the most successful musicals of all time.

5. Rent (1996)

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Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical Rent (1996) came to Broadway heralding a new golden era of theater.

Featuring the Pulitzer Prize-winning songs “Seasons of Love,” “Out Tonight,” and “La Vie Boheme,” Rent resonated with audiences at New York’s Nederlander Theatre and beyond with its rock-infused tale of young artists and the AIDS epidemic in the East Village.

Directed by Michael Greif, starring Broadway legends like Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, and Jesse L. Martin as characters inspired by La Bohème, Rent brought new life to Broadway.

The musical developed an enduring fanbase that spans generations and helped reinvigorate New York City’s legendary theater district around Times Square in the 1990s.

6. Chicago (1975)

The sultry jazz sounds of “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” and “Razzle Dazzle” propelled Chicago to legendary status after its 1975 Broadway premiere.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, choreography by Fosse, and music by John Kander, the original production starred Broadway giants Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon.

Revived in 1996 with direction by Walter Bobbie and choreography by Ann Reinking, Chicago returned to the Shubert Theatre, where it became the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

Skullduggery in 1920s Chicago combined with iconic costume design sparkling under the Broadway lights solidified its fame across theatre districts from New York to London’s West End.

7. Mamma Mia! (2001)

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The infectiously fun dance tunes of ABBA drove “Mamma Mia!” to smash hit status when it premiered on Broadway in 2001.

With a book by British playwright Catherine Johnson, the musical weaves together classic songs like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Waterloo” into a delightful romantic comedy set on a Greek island.

After opening at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, where it holds the record for most performances by a resident show, “Mamma Mia!” exploded in popularity, spurring productions globally from London’s West End to the Sydney Opera House.

Propelled by colorful costumes and the disco sounds of the legendary 1970s Swedish supergroup, the musical continues to delight audiences worldwide.

8. Cats (1982)

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical “Cats” leaped onto the Broadway scene in 1982, revolutionizing theatre with its unprecedented production.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the original production at New York’s Winter Garden Theatre featured legendary director Trevor Nunn and choreographer Gillian Lynne, composer Webber, and star Betty Buckley as memory-wistful Grizabella singing the haunting 11 o’clock number “Memory.”

Record-setting runs from London’s West End to the Shiki Theatre Tokyo, alongside whimsical costumes and make-up, show-stopping songs like the opening “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats” and “Mr. Mistoffelees,” and $73 million worldwide gross cemented “Cats” icon status.

9. West Side Story (1957)

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The finger-snapping beats and soaring melodies of “Tonight,” “Maria,” and “America” brought West Side Story to musical theatre stardom when it premiered on Broadway in 1957.

With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, choreography by Jerome Robbins, and direction by Robbins and Robert Wise, West Side Story reimagined Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York City.

Starring Broadway icon Carol Lawrence as Maria, the original production ran for 732 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Critically acclaimed and a commercial smash, the musical resonated with audiences from London to Los Angeles for its stylish retelling of the timeless forbidden love story through ingenious song and dance.

10. Hamilton (2015)

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking hip-hop musical Hamilton burst onto Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2015, reimagining the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and captivating audiences with its score fusing rap, R&B, and Broadway show tunes.

Setting the tale of America’s birth against the backdrop of revolution in 18th century New York, the musical with book, music, and lyrics by Miranda himself features iconic standout numbers.

The standout numbers include “My Shot,” “The Room Where It Happens,” and “Satisfied” performed by stars like Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, and Renée Elise Goldsberry.

Sweeping a record 16 Tony nominations and 11 wins, Hamilton brought the vibrancy of contemporary music to historical narrative and became a pop culture phenomenon.

11. The Sound of Music (1959)

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Rodgers and Hammerstein’s final musical together, The Sound of Music premiered on Broadway in 1959, starring legend Mary Martin as Maria. Songs like the wistful “Edelweiss,” the lively “My Favorite Things,” and the inspiring “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” propelled the show to Tony Awards for Best Musical and Score.

After 1,443 performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, the 1965 film adaptation, starring Julie Andrews and sweeping the Oscars, cemented The Sound of Music as a masterpiece of musical theatre.

From Salzburg, Austria where the real-life Von Trapp family once lived to productions worldwide from London’s West End to Moscow’s Broadway Theatre, the musical captivates with its sweeping score against the backdrop of WWII-era Austria.

12. Oklahoma! (1943)

The first collaboration between iconic duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! pioneered a new integrated style of musical theatre when it premiered on Broadway in 1943.

Directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Alfred Drake and Joan Roberts, the original production at the St. James Theatre featured classic songs like the optimistic opening “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’,” the romantic “People Will Say We’re In Love,” and the lively “Surrey With the Fringe on Top.”

Setting the musical in the American frontier state of the title, Oklahoma! ran for over 2,200 performances and won Rodgers and Hammerstein their first Best Musical Tony, paving the way for American musical theatre’s Golden Age.

13. Sweeney Todd (1979)

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The macabre tones of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s 1979 “black operetta” Sweeney Todd chilled Broadway audiences with numbers like ominous “The Worst Pies in London,” haunting “Not While I’m Around,” and darkly humorous “A Little Priest.”

Starring Broadway great Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett, the original production at the Uris Theatre (now the Gershwin) demonstrated Sondheim’s versatility.

With book writer Wheeler, Sondheim adapted an 1847 penny dreadful about the Demon Barber of Fleet Street into a sophisticated musical thriller that resonated with audiences and critics, winning eight Tonys including Best Musical.

The show’s long runs in London’s West End and Broadway revivals cemented Sweeney Todd as a sophisticated, multiple Tony-winning classic.

14. Aladdin (2014)

When Disney’s beloved 1992 animated film Aladdin was adapted for the stage in 2014, the enchanting Broadway production at the New Amsterdam Theatre brought Agrabah to life for audiences worldwide.

Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, Aladdin features the iconic movie score from Alan Menken with show-stopping songs like the Academy Award-winning ballad “A Whole New World,” exuberant “Friend Like Me,” and the rousing Act I Finale “Prince Ali.”

Starring Tony nominee Adam Jacobs as the title character and Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie, the spectacle of flying carpets, magic lamps, and a lively ensemble wowed over 10 million people to date, and earned Aladdin its spot as a modern Broadway family-friendly classic.

15. Fiddler on the Roof (1964)

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Transporting audiences to a shtetl in Czarist Russia, Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964 starring Israeli actor Topol as Tevye the milkman.

With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein adapted from Sholem Aleichem stories, Fiddler resonated with fans across 8 years and over 3,000 performances at the Imperial Theatre.

Featuring rich cultural songs like the traditions hymn “Tradition,” yearning solo “If I Were A Rich Man,” and the bittersweet “Sunrise Sunset” later performed at countless Jewish weddings, the 9x Tony-winning Best Musical brought Jewish life in Anatevka to Broadway with humor, heart, and Klezmer-inspired poignancy.

16. Grease (1972)

Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s raucous rock n’ roll high school musical Grease opened on Broadway in 1972 starring Barry Bostwick and Adrienne Barbeau, evoking 1950’s teen culture with songs like the flirty “Summer Nights,” passion-filled “You’re the One That I Want,” and bravado-fueled “Greased Lightnin’.”

After a solid but short run at the Broadhurst and Royale Theaters due to Broadway strikes, the 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy at fictional Rydell High catapulted the musical to global fame.

With its singalong rock score and explosive endings, Grease became the word for musicals capturing youth culture and rebellion, inspiring revivals and professional productions from Mexico City to London’s West End.

17. Annie (1977)

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Little Orphan Annie won America’s heart when the upbeat musical based on Harold Gray’s comic strip opened on Broadway in 1977 with a tone-setting song “Maybe” and the belted showstopper “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”

With music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, the original production at the Alvin Theatre starred Broadway icon Andrea McArdle as the plucky red-headed heroine determined for “Tomorrow.”

Despite the Depression-era setting, the musical exuded optimism with a family-friendly story, beloved songs, and spectacular choreography.

After nearly six years and over 2,300 performances, the Tony Award-winning musical spawned tours across America and productions from Mexico City to Moscow, cementing its place in Broadway history.

18. Hairspray (2002)

The irresistible dance beats of “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” self-empowerment anthem “Big, Blonde and Beautiful,” and nostalgic opener “Welcome to the ‘60s” had audiences dancing in the aisles when Hairspray jived onto Broadway in 2002.

Adapted from John Waters’ 1988 film, the musical with a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and catchy score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman was an ode to integration and acceptance in 1960s Baltimore.

Directed by Jack O’Brien and starring Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur, the energetic production earned eight Tony Awards.

Breaking box office records at the Neil Simon Theatre, Hairspray bopped its way to legendary status on tours and in productions from London to China with its feel-good songs and message.

19. Dear Evan Hansen (2016)

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Dear Evan Hansen struck a chord with audiences when the poignant musical by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul opened on Broadway in 2016, starring Ben Platt as the title character.

With choreography by Danny Mefford, the production spoke to generational anxiety through songs like the yearning “Waving Through a Window,” inspiring “You Will Be Found,” and act one closer “For Forever.”

Lauded for advancing the art form by integrating social media, the musical resonated powerfully, winning six Tonys including Best Musical.

After premiering at the Music Box Theatre where it broke box office records, smash hits like “Waving Through a Window” connected with listeners globally on the cast album, elevating Dear Evan Hansen to modern Broadway icon status.

20. My Fair Lady (1956)

With an iconic score by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, My Fair Lady dazzled critics and audiences alike when it opened on Broadway in 1956, starring Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews.

Songs like the soaring “I Could Have Danced All Night” sung by Andrews as Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle, romantic “On the Street Where You Live,” and the wistful “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” propelled the musical to legendary status.

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” Fair Lady triumphed with six Tony Awards including Best Musical during its record-setting run at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway and beyond in West End and touring productions spanning decades, cementing its place amongst the finest of American musicals.