How Long is the Musical? | Show Duration & Times Guide
The duration of a musical production is not universally fixed, as it can vary considerably. Typically, musicals span a timeframe ranging from one and a half to three hours. The specific length of a particular musical can be obtained from the official website of the hosting theater. To illustrate, consider the acclaimed musical “The Lion King,” which boasts a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes, encompassing the intermission period.
How Long Are Musicals Usually?
Clocking in at a swift 80 minutes without any intermission, the present rendition of Six stands out as one of Broadway’s briefest musical productions to date. While numerous Broadway musicals have adhered to the 90-minute mark, the 80-minute duration is a rarity. Throughout Broadway’s rich history, plays with run times under 90 minutes have outnumbered their musical counterparts.
A notable precedent for brevity is the original Broadway staging of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1982, which also concluded in just under 90 minutes. Originally crafted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1968, Joseph made its debut in a London boys’ prep school, lasting a mere 25 minutes. Subsequently expanded for school performances, it eventually graced Broadway’s Royale Theatre, captivating audiences with a concise yet engaging theatrical experience for 747 performances. With deliberately lower ticket prices, the production aimed to encourage family attendance.
In a similar vein, the family-oriented musical Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas boasted sub-90-minute performances during its Broadway run in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons. Whether at the Hilton (now Lyric) or the St. James Theatre, this holiday engagement successfully spread Christmas cheer in its 80-minute showcases.
Conversely, the epic Les Misérables, imported from Britain, initially commanded a substantial 3 hours and 12 minutes when it premiered on Broadway in 1987, ranking among the lengthiest Broadway musicals. In the year 2000, production costs prompted a 14-minute reduction, allowing the runtime to settle at 2 hours and 58 minutes. This adjustment alleviated the need for overtime payments to the crew, musicians, and other team members, ensuring the show’s continued success.
Show Boat, another monumental musical that debuted in 1927, initially exceeded 3 hours in length, even surpassing 4 hours during its out-of-town tryout. While trimmed before its New York opening, the extended duration was deemed necessary to faithfully convey Edna Ferber’s sweeping novel on stage.
The 2016 Broadway presentation of Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, faced a similar challenge, exceeding 3 hours during previews before undergoing edits. Reflecting the ambitious narrative of the landmark musical by Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Flournoy Miller, and Aubrey Lyles, the creators successfully condensed the runtime before opening night. This trend of initial lengthy previews followed by judicious edits was also witnessed in productions like Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark and the current revival of Camelot.
In contrast, the original iteration of Camelot, akin to Show Boat, surpassed 4 hours during its pre-Broadway run in Toronto in 1959. By its 1960 Broadway premiere, featuring Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Robert Goulet, the runtime had been reduced to just under 4 hours. Notably, in a move reminiscent of Les Mis, the creators revised Camelot after its opening night in 1961, shaving off 12 minutes by eliminating several songs and scenes.
In summary, modern Broadway’s shortest musicals have flirted with the 90-minute mark, while the most expansive productions have stretched just beyond the 3-hour threshold.
How Long is Chicago the Musical on Broadway?
The performance spans approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, encompassing a single 15-minute intermission.
What is the longest musical ever?
| Rank | Title | Type | Performances | Opening date | Closing date | Awards and İnformation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Phantom of the Opera | M | 13,981[1] | January 26, 1988 | April 16, 2023 | 1: |
| 2 | Chicago (1996 revival) | M | 10,624[2] | November 14, 1996 | 2: | |
| 3 | The Lion King | M | 10,243[3] | November 13, 1997 | 3: |
1: The information you provided points to the musical “The Phantom of the Opera.” In 1988, “The Phantom of the Opera” won 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and 7 Drama Desk Awards. It has been one of Broadway’s longest-running shows and musicals. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, “The Phantom of the Opera” was indeed the first Broadway production to achieve each additional 1,000 performance increment from 8,000+ through 13,000+. Please note that specific details about Broadway productions may have changed since then, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest sources for the most up-to-date information.
2:In 1997, the musical “Chicago” garnered acclaim with 6 Tony Awards, notably securing the prestigious Best Revival of a Musical category. The same year, it also clinched 6 Drama Desk Awards, showcasing its excellence with the title of Outstanding Revival of a Musical. The subsequent year brought further recognition as “Chicago” received the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1998.
Since 2003, the Ambassador Theatre has served as the esteemed venue for the ongoing success of “Chicago.” Currently, it stands as Broadway’s longest-running current show and musical, marking a remarkable legacy as the lengthiest revival in Broadway’s storied history.
Originally gracing the Broadway stage in 1975 with a notable 936 performances, “Chicago” has transcended time to become the longest-running show to have premiered on Broadway. This enduring American production has etched its place in Broadway’s annals, affirming its status as the longest-running American show to date.
3:In 1998, the theatrical masterpiece “The Lion King” earned prestigious recognition by clinching 6 Tony Awards, notably achieving the coveted title of Best Musical. Further solidifying its acclaim, the production secured an impressive 8 Drama Desk Awards during the same year. The following year brought another accolade as “The Lion King” took home the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 1999.
Since 2006, the Minskoff Theatre has been the proud home to this extraordinary production, currently standing as the longest-running Disney Theatrical Productions show. Beyond its artistic success, “The Lion King” has etched its place in Broadway history as the highest-grossing show of all time, a testament to its enduring popularity and widespread acclaim.
A remarkable achievement lies in the fact that “The Lion King” holds the distinction of being the longest-running Broadway show directed by a woman, with Julie Taymor leaving an indelible mark on its creative direction. This milestone further adds to the legacy of a production that continues to captivate audiences with its unparalleled artistry and cultural significance.
