In 2013, 11.58 million people attended Broadway shows to the tune of $1.193 billion in ticket sales, according to The Broadway League. The year 2013 was also the year the Disney musical "The Lion King" earned the number one spot on Broadway's Top 10, kicking "Wicked" to second place. The 16-year-old "The Lion King," entered 2014 with earnings of $96,983,840, and 10-year-old "Wicked" followed suit with $95,278,197. Other Broadway hits included "The Book of Mormon" ($90,410,251), "Kinky Boots" ($62,953,446), and "Motown" ($56,887,366)."Lucky Guy" has joined the ranks of Broadway blockbusters, thus proving Hollywood star power can anchor a show into success. Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks stars as late Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Mike McAlary. The play grossed $22,992,145 during its 18-week run. Crossing over from Hollywood to Broadway is common. Real-life couple Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz shared the stage in "Betrayal," and Scarlett Johansson returned to Broadway to star as Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." This year Ewan McGregor will debut in the Tom Stoppard revival "The Real Thing," while Bryan Cranston takes on the role of Lyndon B. Johnson in "All The Way."
From star-studded Broadway spectacles to long-time musical revivals, this year's Broadway season is hot. Shows, touted such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Macbeth," are already being for Tony Award nominations. Variety also recognizes the showstopping prowess of new titles for spring, including "Rocky," "Bridges of Madison County," and "Aladdin," all Broadway shows in New York that could quite possibly give "The Lion King" and "Wicked" a run for their money. In honor of Broadway season, we've compiled a list of the 5 best Broadways shows of all time in no particular order. Does your favorite make the list?
Runners-up include "The Book of Mormon," "Cats," "Mama Mia!" "West Side Story," and "Jesus Christ Superstar." Do you agree?
http://www.ranker.com/list/a-review-of-broadway-5-best-broadway-plays-in-history/dtaibleson,
Les Misérables
No heart is left untouched by the anguished hopelessness of "I Dreamed a Dream," a "Les Mis" lyrical lament about life during the 19th century in France. The Broadway musical tells the story of Jean Valjean's journey to redemption after living 19 years in jail. The original Broadway production premiered in March 1987 at the Broadway Theatre, and its 2014 revival is slated for March 2014 at the Imperial Theatre.
Rent
The multi-award-winning "Rent" is a rock musical about the struggle of young musicians and artists in New York City's Lower East Side. It's a cathartic story told through the moving lyrics and music of Jonathan Larson, who died the night before the off-Broadway premiere. The Broadway production concluded in 2008 after more than 5,000 performances, a 12-year run, and a Tony Award for Best Musical.
Wicked
The Phantom of the Opera
The Lion King