Long-running plays

This is a selected list of the longest-running plays, that is non-musical theatre productions, in history.

Title Creator Performances Year Opened Year Closed Country Location Comments
The Bald Soprano / The Lesson Eugène Ionesco 20,000+[1] 1957 currently running France Paris,Théâtre de la Huchette Theatre of the Absurd
Life with Father Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse 3,224 1939 1947 United States of America New York City, Broadway, Empire Theatre longest running straight play in Broadway history; premiered at Empire Theater and also played at Bijou Theatre (1945–1947) and Alvin Theatre (1947)
Line Israel Horovitz 3,300+[2] 1974 2018 United States of America New York City, Off-off-Broadway, 13th Street Repertory Theatre absurdist drama; only played once or twice a week with an irregular schedule[3]
The Lost Colony Paul Green 5,000+[4] 1937 still running United States of America Manteo, North Carolina historical outdoor drama; performed each summer
The Mousetrap Agatha Chrisite 30,000+[5] 1952 currently running United Kingdom West End, London, St Martin's Theatre murder mystery; longest running play in world history;[5] Previously played at the Ambassadors Theatre (1952–1974)
Oberammergau Passion Play Rochus Dedler, Eugen Papst, and others 1634 still running Germany Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany passion play; performed in summer each decadal year since 1680 with a few exceptions.
Perfect Crime Warren Manzi 15,000+[6] 1987 currently running United States of America New York City, Off-Broadway, The Theater Center murder mystery; lead Catherine Russell has performed in the play since 1987 and has only missed four performances.[7]
The Ramona Pageant Helen Hunt Jackson 1923 still running United States of America Hemet, California outdoor drama; runs each April and May on weekends
Shear Madness Paul Pörtner 12,580[8] 1980 2020 United States of America Boston, Massachusetts, Charles Playhouse Stage II interactive whodunit
Shear Madness Paul Pörtner 14,737[9] 1987 2026 United States of America Washington, DC, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Theater Lab interactive whodunit; longest running play in American history[10]

References

  1. ^ "Paris theatre shares secrets of staging same play for record-breaking 67 years". RFI. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  2. ^ "Unbroken "Line": 22 Years at 13th Street Repertory Company". www.backstage.com. 2001-02-21. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  3. ^ "Off-Off-Broadway's Little-Known Longest-Running Show Reopens Tonight". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  4. ^ Colony, The Lost (2024-07-17). "The 5000th Performance of The Lost Colony". The Lost Colony. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  5. ^ a b Editorial, West End Theatre (2025-03-19). "The Mousetrap celebrates 30,000 performances in the West End [Updated] | West End Theatre". Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  6. ^ "NYC's Longest-Running Play 'Perfect Crime' Celebrates 15,000 Performances". Calssicalite. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  7. ^ "Coffee and love: Actress shares secrets to nearly 30 sick-free years". TODAY.com. 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  8. ^ "Celebrating 40 Years of "Shear Madness" at Boston's Charles Playhouse | Performing Arts World". www.performingarts.world. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  9. ^ Hertvik, Nicole (2026-06-08). "'Shear Madness' is closing. Long live 'Shear Madness.'". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
  10. ^ Barnes, Steve (2026-06-08). "Locally created play ends Kennedy Center run after 39 years". Times Union. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
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