List of the shortest-running Broadway shows

This is a list of Broadway shows with 20 or fewer regular performances. The list only includes shows that had open-ended runs or limited runs that ended earlier than planned. The shows must have officially opened on Broadway, and thus productions that closed during previews are not included.

List

Unless otherwise noted, the run count listed is for the original Broadway production of the show. M denotes a musical, P denotes a straight play, R denotes revue, D denotes a predominantly dance musical, and S denotes a special case.

# Title Type Opening
date		 Closing
date		 Performances Comment Ref
1. A Broadway Musical M December 21, 1978 December 21, 1978 1 14 previews [1]
1. A Teaspoon Every Four Hours P June 14, 1969 June 14, 1969 1 97 previews
Opening night was originally scheduled for April 3, 1969, and was delayed multiple times.		 [2]
1. Billy M March 22, 1969 March 22, 1969 1 21 previews [3]
1. Blood Red Roses M March 22, 1970 March 22, 1970 1 20 previews [4]
1. Break a Leg R April 29, 1979 April 29, 1979 1 12 previews [5]
1. Broadway Follies R March 15, 1981 March 15, 1981 1 14 previews [6]
1. Cleavage M June 23, 1982 June 23, 1982 1 6 previews [7]
1. Dance a Little Closer M May 11, 1983 May 11, 1983 1 25 previews [8]
1. Father's Day P March 16, 1971 March 16, 1971 1 16 previews
One of three plays by Oliver Hailey that closed on opening night		 [9]
1. First One Asleep, Whistle P February 26, 1966 February 26, 1966 1 13 previews
One of three plays by Oliver Hailey that closed on opening night		 [10]
1. Frank Merriwell M April 24, 1971 April 24, 1971 1 7 previews [11]
1. Frankenstein P January 4, 1981 January 4, 1981 1 29 previews [12]
1. Gandhi P October 20, 1970 October 20, 1970 1 [13]
1. Gantry M February 14, 1970 February 14, 1970 1 31 previews [14]
1. Glory Days M May 6, 2008 May 6, 2008 1 17 previews [15]
1. The Goodbye People (1979 revival) P April 30, 1979 April 30, 1979 1 16 previews
The original production ran for 7 performances		 [16]
1. Heathen! M May 21, 1972 May 21, 1972 1 6 previews [17]
1. Here's Where I Belong M March 3, 1968 March 3, 1968 1 20 previews [18]
1. Home Sweet Homer M January 4, 1976 January 4, 1976 1 11 previews [19]
1. I Won't Dance P May 10, 1981 May 10, 1981 1 7 previews
One of three plays by Oliver Hailey that closed on opening night		 [20]
1. Kelly M February 6, 1965 February 6, 1965 1 7 previews [21]
1. La Strada M December 14, 1969 December 14, 1969 1 12 previews [22]
1. Little Johnny Jones (1982 revival) M March 21, 1982 March 21, 1982 1 29 previews
The original production ran for 52 performances		 [23]
1. The Moony Shapiro Songbook M May 3, 1981 May 3, 1981 1 15 previews [24]
1. Moose Murders P February 22, 1983 February 22, 1983 1 13 previews [25]
1. Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All P November 17, 2003 November 17, 2003 1 19 previews [26]
1. Onward Victoria M December 14, 1980 December 14, 1980 1 23 previews [27]
1. Play Me a Country Song M June 27, 1982 June 27, 1982 1 14 previews [28]
1. Rainbow Jones M February 13, 1974 February 13, 1974 1 3 previews [29]
1. Ring Around the Bathtub P April 29, 1972 April 29, 1972 1 3 previews [30]
1. The Ritz (1983 revival) P May 2, 1983 May 2, 1983 1 14 previews
The original production ran for 398 performances		 [31]
1. Take Me Along (1985 revival) M April 14, 1985 April 14, 1985 1 7 previews
The original production ran for 448 performances		 [32]
1. Total Abandon P April 28, 1983 April 28, 1983 1 7 previews [33]
1. The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall M May 13, 1979 May 13, 1979 1 7 previews [34]
1. Wild and Wonderful M December 7, 1971 December 7, 1971 1 9 previews [35]
35. Medea and Jason P October 2, 1974 October 2, 1974 2 10 previews
The show opened on a matinée performance and closed after the evening performance that same day.		 [36]
35. Teaneck Tanzi: The Venus Flytrap P April 20, 1983 April 20, 1983 2 13 previews
The show opened on a matinée performance and closed after the evening performance that same day.		 [37]
37. A Race of Hairy Men! P April 29, 1965 May 1, 1965 4 12 previews [38]
37. Bring Back Birdie M March 5, 1981 March 7, 1981 4 31 previews [39]
37. Horses in Midstream P April 2, 1953 April 4, 1953 4 [40]
37. Rags M August 21, 1986 August 23, 1986 4 18 previews
Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical		 [41]
37. The Fig Leaves Are Falling M January 2, 1969 January 6, 1969 4 17 Previews

Dorothy Loudon nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical

 [42]
37. Song of the Grasshopper P September 28, 1967 September 30, 1967 4 4 previews [43]
43. A Doll's Life M September 23, 1982 September 26, 1982 5 18 previews [44]
43. Carrie M May 12, 1988 May 15, 1988 5 16 previews [45]
43. More to Love P October 15, 1998 October 17, 1998 5 16 previews [46]
43. Play Memory P April 26, 1984 April 29, 1984 5 7 previews [47]
43. Prymate P May 5, 2004 May 8, 2004 5 22 previews [48]
43. The Red Shoes M December 16, 1993 December 19, 1993 5 51 previews [49]
43. See the Jaguar P December 3, 1952 December 6, 1952 5 [50]
43. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers M July 8, 1982 July 11, 1982 5 15 previews [51]
43. The Story of My Life M February 19, 2009 February 22, 2009 5 19 previews [52]
52. Carnival in Flanders M September 8, 1953 September 12, 1953 6 Won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, thus holding the record for Tony-winning performance with the briefest run. [53]
52. Into the Light M October 22, 1986 October 26, 1986 6 13 previews [54]
52. The Performers P November 14, 2012 November 18, 2012 6 24 previews [55]
55. Buttrio Square M October 14, 1952 October 18, 1952 7 [56]
55. Rockabye Hamlet M February 17, 1976 February 21, 1976 7 21 previews [57]
55. Slapstick Tragedy P February 22, 1966 February 26, 1966 7 16 previews [58]
55. Via Galactica M November 28, 1972 December 2, 1972 7 15 previews [59]
55. The Goodbye People P December 3, 1968 December 7, 1968 7 16 previews
A 1979 revival closed on opening night		 [60]
55. High P April 19, 2011 April 24, 2011 7 29 previews [61]
60. Anyone Can Whistle M April 4, 1964 April 11, 1964 9 12 previews [62]
60. The Blonde in the Thunderbird S July 17, 2005 July 23, 2005 9 10 previews
The limited run was originally scheduled to end on September 3, 2005.[63]		 [64]
60. Brighton Beach Memoirs (2009 revival) P October 25, 2009 November 1, 2009 9 25 previews
The original production ran for 1,299 performances		 [65]
60. Elling P November 21, 2010 November 28, 2010 9 22 previews [66]
60. The Lieutenant M March 9, 1975 March 16, 1975 9 7 previews
Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical		 [67]
60. Nick & Nora M December 8, 1991 December 15, 1991 9 71 previews [68]
60. Rock 'N Roll! The First 5,000 Years R October 24, 1982 October 31, 1982 9 25 previews [69]
67. A Joyful Noise M December 15, 1966 December 24, 1966 12 4 previews [70]
67. Dreyfus in Rehearsal P October 17, 1974 October 26, 1974 12 3 previews [71]
67. Lolita P March 19, 1981 March 28, 1981 12 31 previews [72]
67. Seagulls Over Sorrento P September 11, 1952 September 20, 1952 12 [73]
67. The Threepenny Opera M April 13, 1933 April 22, 1933 12 [74]
72. Macbeth (2000 revival) P June 15, 2000 June 25, 2000 13 8 previews
The limited run ended 5 weeks earlier than originally planned.[75]		 [76]
72. Metro M April 16, 1992 April 26, 1992 13 24 previews [77]
74. High Fidelity M December 7, 2006 December 17, 2006 14 18 previews [78]
74. Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only R November 19, 2003 November 30, 2003 14 31 previews [79]
76. The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public M May 10, 1994 May 22, 1994 16 28 previews [80]
76. Dude M October 9, 1972 October 21, 1972 16 16 previews [81]
76. The Man Who Had Three Arms P April 5, 1983 April 17, 1983 16 8 previews [82]
76. Merrily We Roll Along M November 16, 1981 November 28, 1981 16 44 previews [83]
76. Nellie Bly M January 21, 1946 February 2, 1946 16 [84]
76. Oh, Kay! (1928 revival) M January 2, 1928 January 14, 1928 16 The original production ran for 256 performances [85]
82. Amour M October 20, 2002 November 3, 2002 17 31 previews
Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical		 [86]
82. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2006 revival) P May 7, 2006 May 21, 2006 17 27 previews [87]
84. Leap of Faith M April 26, 2012 May 13, 2012 19 25 previews
Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical		 [88]
85. All About Me M March 18, 2010 April 4, 2010 20 27 previews [89]
85. The Climate of Eden P November 6, 1952 November 22, 1952 20 [90]

Shows that closed during previews

The following shows started previews but did not officially open on Broadway:[91]

See also

References

Notes

  1. A Broadway Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
  2. A Teaspoon Every Four Hours at the Internet Broadway Database
  3. Billy at the Internet Broadway Database
  4. Blood Red Roses at the Internet Broadway Database
  5. Break a Leg at the Internet Broadway Database
  6. Broadway Follies at the Internet Broadway Database
  7. Cleavage at the Internet Broadway Database
  8. Dance a Little Closer at the Internet Broadway Database
  9. Father's Day at the Internet Broadway Database
  10. First One Asleep, Whistle at the Internet Broadway Database
  11. Frank Merriwell at the Internet Broadway Database
  12. Frankenstein at the Internet Broadway Database
  13. Gandhi at the Internet Broadway Database
  14. Gantry at the Internet Broadway Database
  15. Glory Days at the Internet Broadway Database
  16. The Goodbye People (1979 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  17. Heathen! at the Internet Broadway Database
  18. Here's Where I Belong at the Internet Broadway Database
  19. Home Sweet Homer at the Internet Broadway Database
  20. I Won't Dance at the Internet Broadway Database
  21. Kelly at the Internet Broadway Database
  22. La Strada at the Internet Broadway Database
  23. Little Johnny Jones (1982 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  24. The Moony Shapiro Songbook at the Internet Broadway Database
  25. Moose Murders at the Internet Broadway Database
  26. Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All at the Internet Broadway Database
  27. Onward Victoria at the Internet Broadway Database
  28. Play Me a Country Song at the Internet Broadway Database
  29. Rainbow Jones at the Internet Broadway Database
  30. Ring Around the Bathtub at the Internet Broadway Database
  31. The Ritz (1983 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  32. Take Me Along (1985 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  33. Total Abandon at the Internet Broadway Database
  34. The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall at the Internet Broadway Database
  35. Wild and Wonderful at the Internet Broadway Database
  36. Medea and Jason at the Internet Broadway Database
  37. Teaneck Tanzi: The Venus Flytrap at the Internet Broadway Database
  38. A Race of Hairy Men! at the Internet Broadway Database
  39. Bring Back Birdie at the Internet Broadway Database
  40. Horses in Midstream at the Internet Broadway Database
  41. Rags at the Internet Broadway Database
  42. "The Fig Leaves Are Falling Broadway @ Broadhurst Theatre - Tickets and Discounts". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  43. Song of the Grasshopper at the Internet Broadway Database
  44. A Doll's Life at the Internet Broadway Database
  45. Carrie at the Internet Broadway Database
  46. More to Love at the Internet Broadway Database
  47. Play Memory at the Internet Broadway Database
  48. Prymate at the Internet Broadway Database
  49. The Red Shoes at the Internet Broadway Database
  50. See the Jaguar at the Internet Broadway Database
  51. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Internet Broadway Database
  52. The Story of My Life at the Internet Broadway Database
  53. Carnival in Flanders at the Internet Broadway Database
  54. Into the Light at the Internet Broadway Database
  55. The Performers at the Internet Broadway Database
  56. Buttrio Square at the Internet Broadway Database
  57. Peikert, Mark (February 17, 2020). "Looking Back at Rockabye Hamlet on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  58. Slapstick Tragedy at the Internet Broadway Database
  59. Via Galactica at the Internet Broadway Database
  60. The Goodbye People at the Internet Broadway Database
  61. High at the Internet Broadway Database
  62. Anyone Can Whistle at the Internet Broadway Database
  63. "Suzanne Somers' The Blonde in the Thunderbird to Close on Saturday". BroadwayWorld. July 20, 2005. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  64. The Blonde in the Thunderbird at the Internet Broadway Database
  65. Brighton Beach Memoirs (2009 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  66. Elling at the Internet Broadway Database
  67. The Lieutenant at the Internet Broadway Database
  68. Nick & Nora at the Internet Broadway Database
  69. Rock 'N Roll! The First 5,000 Years at the Internet Broadway Database
  70. A Joyful Noise at the Internet Broadway Database
  71. Dreyfus in Rehearsal at the Internet Broadway Database
  72. Lolita at the Internet Broadway Database
  73. Seagulls Over Sorrento at the Internet Broadway Database
  74. The Threepenny Opera at the Internet Broadway Database
  75. McKinley, Jesse (June 20, 2000). "'Macbeth' Will Close After Just 10 Days on Broadway". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  76. Macbeth at the Internet Broadway Database
  77. Metro at the Internet Broadway Database
  78. High Fidelity at the Internet Broadway Database
  79. Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only at the Internet Broadway Database
  80. The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public at the Internet Broadway Database
  81. Dude at the Internet Broadway Database
  82. The Man Who Had Three Arms at the Internet Broadway Database
  83. Merrily We Roll Along at the Internet Broadway Database
  84. Nellie Bly at the Internet Broadway Database
  85. Oh, Kay! (1928 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  86. Amour at the Internet Broadway Database
  87. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2006 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  88. Leap of Faith at the Internet Broadway Database
  89. All About Me at the Internet Broadway Database
  90. The Climate of Eden at the Internet Broadway Database
  91. Culwell-Block, Logan (July 3, 2019). "16 Broadway Shows That Closed Before Opening". Playbill. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  92. Infidel Caesar at the Internet Broadway Database
  93. Venus Is at the Internet Broadway Database
  94. A Way of Life at the Internet Broadway Database
  95. The Office at the Internet Broadway Database
  96. Leda Had a Little Swan at the Internet Broadway Database
  97. Me Jack, You Jill at the Internet Broadway Database
  98. Let My People Come at the Internet Broadway Database

Further reading
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