Highest grossing and longest running Broadway shows and musicals

There have been a lot of quality shows on Broadway, but only a few stand the tests of time... and money.

By many accounts, the "Phantom of the Opera" has been the highest grossing show on Broadway. "The Grinch Stole Christmas" beat out "Wicked" in 2006, breaking its 100 week-long streak... but the Phantom has a dear place in my heart, as it was the first musical I ever saw and continues to be my favorite.

Below is a list of the top 10 longest-running shows, which the Phantom also tops.

1) Phantom of the Opera

(Shown at the Majestic Theater, where it previewed January 9, 1988, opened January 25, 1988 and still runs. It has shown 7,767 times!)

2) Cats

(Shown at the Winter Garden Theater, where it previewed September 23, 1982 and opened October 7, 1982. It closed September 10, 2000 and showed 7,485 times)

3) Les Miserables

(Shown in the Broadway Theater through 10/14/1990 and the Imperial Theater through its closing. It previewed February 28, 1987, opened March 12, 1987, and closed May 18, 2003, showing 6,680 times.)

4) A Chorus Line

(It showed in the Schubert Theater, where it opened July 25, 1975 and closed April 28, 1990 after showing 6,137 times.)

5) Oh! Calcutta! (1976 revival)

(Shown in the Edison Theater, where it opened September 24, 1976 and closed August 6, 1989, having shown 5,959 times.)

6) Beauty and the Beast

(In the Palace Theater until 9/5/1999, then the Lunt-Fontane Theater, where it still shows. It was previewed March 9,1994 and opened April 18, 1994, and has shown 5,093 times.)

7) Rent

(Shown in the Nederlander Theater, where it previewed April 16, 1996, opened April 29, 1996, and still plays after 4,315 or so shows.)

8) Chicago (1996 revival)

(In the Richard Rodgers Theatre through 2/9/1997 and the Shubert Theatre through 1/26/2003, then the Ambassador Theatre, where it still plays. It previewed October 23, 1996 and opened November 14, 1996 and has been performed 4,093 times.)

9) Miss Saigon

(In the Broadway Theater, where it previewed March 23, 1991, opened April 11, 1991, and closed January 28, 2001 after 4,092 performances.)

10) Lion King

(Shown in the New Amsterdam Theatre, where it previewed October 15, 1997, opened November 13, 1997 and still shows after 3,676 showings.)