What is the longest continuously running show on Broadway?

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart with additions from Richard Stilgoe. Lloyd Webber and Stilgoe also wrote the musical's book together. Its central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius.

The musical celebrated its 10,000th performance on Broadway on the 11th of February, 2012 and became the first production ever to do it. It was first opened in London's West End in 1986, and the Broadway premiere took place in 1988. The show received wide acclaim and won the 1986 Olivier Award and the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical. Michael Crawford, who originated the title role, also received the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. In total, the show won more than 70 major theater awards.

The show was played to more than 140 million people around the world with an estimated worldwide gross of more than $6 billion. It was performed in 15 different languages and played in 35 countries and 164 cities. The show's box office revenues are higher than that of any other play, musical or movie, including such renowned motion pictures as Titanic, ET, Star Wars and Avatar.