List of the shortest-running Broadway shows

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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.

No. Title Type Opening
date 		Closing
date 		Perfs. Prevs. Comment Ref.
1. A Broadway Musical M December 21, 1978 December 21, 1978 1 14 [1]
1. A Teaspoon Every Four Hours P June 14, 1969 June 14, 1969 1 97 Opening night was originally scheduled for April 3, 1969, and was delayed multiple times. [2]
1. M March 22, 1969 March 22, 1969 1 21 [3]
1. M March 22, 1970 March 22, 1970 1 20 [4]
1. Break a Leg R April 29, 1979 April 29, 1979 1 12 [5]
1. R March 15, 1981 March 15, 1981 1 14 [6]
1. M June 23, 1982 June 23, 1982 1 6 [7]
1. Dance a Little Closer M May 11, 1983 May 11, 1983 1 25 [8]
1. P March 16, 1971 March 16, 1971 1 16 One of three plays by Oliver Hailey that closed on opening night [9]
1. P February 26, 1966 February 26, 1966 1 13 One of three plays by Oliver Hailey that closed on opening night [10]
1. M April 24, 1971 April 24, 1971 1 7 [11]
1. P January 4, 1981 January 4, 1981 1 29 [12]
1. P October 20, 1970 October 20, 1970 1 [13]
1. Gantry M February 14, 1970 February 14, 1970 1 31 [14]
1. Glory Days M May 6, 2008 May 6, 2008 1 17 [15]
1. The Goodbye People (1979 revival) P April 30, 1979 April 30, 1979 1 16 The original production ran for 7 performances [16]
1. M May 21, 1972 May 21, 1972 1 6 [17]
1. Here's Where I Belong M March 3, 1968 March 3, 1968 1 20 [18]
1. Home Sweet Homer M January 4, 1976 January 4, 1976 1 11 [19]
1. P May 10, 1981 May 10, 1981 1 7 One of three plays by Oliver Hailey that closed on opening night [20]
1. Kelly M February 6, 1965 February 6, 1965 1 7 [21]
1. La Strada M December 14, 1969 December 14, 1969 1 12 [22]
1. Little Johnny Jones (1982 revival) M March 21, 1982 March 21, 1982 1 29 The original production ran for 52 performances [23]
1. The Moony Shapiro Songbook M May 3, 1981 May 3, 1981 1 15 [24]
1. Moose Murders P February 22, 1983 February 22, 1983 1 13 [25]
1. P November 17, 2003 November 17, 2003 1 19 [26]
1. Onward Victoria M December 14, 1980 December 14, 1980 1 23 [27]
1. M June 27, 1982 June 27, 1982 1 14 [28]
1. M February 13, 1974 February 13, 1974 1 3 [29]
1. P April 29, 1972 April 29, 1972 1 3 [30]
1. The Ritz (1983 revival) P May 2, 1983 May 2, 1983 1 14 The original production ran for 398 performances [31]
1. Take Me Along (1985 revival) M April 14, 1985 April 14, 1985 1 7 The original production ran for 448 performances [32]
1. P April 28, 1983 April 28, 1983 1 7 [33]
1. The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall M May 13, 1979 May 13, 1979 1 7 [34]
1. M December 7, 1971 December 7, 1971 1 9 [35]
35. P October 2, 1974 October 2, 1974 2 10 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 The show opened on a matinée performance and closed after the evening performance that same day. [37]
37. P April 29, 1965 May 1, 1965 4 12 [38]
37. Bring Back Birdie M March 5, 1981 March 7, 1981 4 31 [39]
37. P April 2, 1953 April 4, 1953 4 [40]
37. Rags M August 21, 1986 August 23, 1986 4 18 Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical [41]
37. The Fig Leaves Are Falling M January 2, 1969 January 6, 1969 4 17

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 [43]
43. A Doll's Life M September 23, 1982 September 26, 1982 5 18 [44]
43. Carrie M May 12, 1988 May 15, 1988 5 16 [45]
43. Raggedy Ann M October 16, 1986 October 19, 1986 5 15 [46]
43. P October 15, 1998 October 17, 1998 5 16 [47]
43. P April 26, 1984 April 29, 1984 5 7 [48]
43. P May 5, 2004 May 8, 2004 5 22 [49]
43. The Red Shoes M December 16, 1993 December 19, 1993 5 51 [50]
43. P December 3, 1952 December 6, 1952 5 [51]
43. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers M July 8, 1982 July 11, 1982 5 15 [52]
43. The Story of My Life M February 19, 2009 February 22, 2009 5 19 [53]
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. [54]
52. Into the Light M October 22, 1986 October 26, 1986 6 13 [55]
52. The Performers P November 14, 2012 November 18, 2012 6 24 [56]
55. M October 14, 1952 October 18, 1952 7 [57]
55. Rockabye Hamlet M February 17, 1976 February 21, 1976 7 21 [58]
55. P February 22, 1966 February 26, 1966 7 16 [59]
55. Via Galactica M November 28, 1972 December 2, 1972 7 15 [60]
55. The Goodbye People P December 3, 1968 December 7, 1968 7 16 A 1979 revival closed on opening night [61]
55. High P April 19, 2011 April 24, 2011 7 29 [62]
60. Anyone Can Whistle M April 4, 1964 April 11, 1964 9 12 [63]
60. S July 17, 2005 July 23, 2005 9 10 The limited run was originally scheduled to end on September 3, 2005.[64] [65]
60. Brighton Beach Memoirs (2009 revival) P October 25, 2009 November 1, 2009 9 25 The original production ran for 1,299 performances [66]
60. Elling P November 21, 2010 November 28, 2010 9 22 [67]
60. The Lieutenant M March 9, 1975 March 16, 1975 9 7 Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical [68]
60. Nick & Nora M December 8, 1991 December 15, 1991 9 71 [69]
60. Rock 'N Roll! The First 5,000 Years R October 24, 1982 October 31, 1982 9 25 [70]
67. A Joyful Noise M December 15, 1966 December 24, 1966 12 4 [71]
67. P October 17, 1974 October 26, 1974 12 3 [72]
67. Lolita P March 19, 1981 March 28, 1981 12 31 [73]
67. P September 11, 1952 September 20, 1952 12 [74]
67. The Threepenny Opera M April 13, 1933 April 22, 1933 12 [75]
72. Macbeth (2000 revival) P June 15, 2000 June 25, 2000 13 8 The limited run ended 5 weeks earlier than originally planned.[76] [77]
72. Metro M April 16, 1992 April 26, 1992 13 24 [78]
74. High Fidelity M December 7, 2006 December 17, 2006 14 18 [79]
74. R November 19, 2003 November 30, 2003 14 31 [80]
76. The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public M May 10, 1994 May 22, 1994 16 28 [81]
76. Dude M October 9, 1972 October 21, 1972 16 16 [82]
76. The Man Who Had Three Arms P April 5, 1983 April 17, 1983 16 8 [83]
76. Merrily We Roll Along M November 16, 1981 November 28, 1981 16 44 [84]
76. M January 21, 1946 February 2, 1946 16 [85]
76. Oh, Kay! (1928 revival) M January 2, 1928 January 14, 1928 16 The original production ran for 256 performances [86]
82. Amour M October 20, 2002 November 3, 2002 17 31 Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical [87]
82. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2006 revival) P May 7, 2006 May 21, 2006 17 27 [88]
84. Leap of Faith M April 26, 2012 May 13, 2012 19 25 Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical [89]
85. M March 18, 2010 April 4, 2010 20 27 [90]
85. P November 6, 1952 November 22, 1952 20 [91]

Shows that closed during previews[]

The following shows started previews but did not officially open on Broadway:[92]

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. ^ Raggedy Ann at the Internet Broadway Database
  47. ^ More to Love at the Internet Broadway Database
  48. ^ Play Memory at the Internet Broadway Database
  49. ^ Prymate at the Internet Broadway Database
  50. ^ The Red Shoes at the Internet Broadway Database
  51. ^ See the Jaguar at the Internet Broadway Database
  52. ^ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Internet Broadway Database
  53. ^ The Story of My Life at the Internet Broadway Database
  54. ^ Carnival in Flanders at the Internet Broadway Database
  55. ^ Into the Light at the Internet Broadway Database
  56. ^ The Performers at the Internet Broadway Database
  57. ^ Buttrio Square at the Internet Broadway Database
  58. ^ Peikert, Mark (February 17, 2020). "Looking Back at Rockabye Hamlet on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  59. ^ Slapstick Tragedy at the Internet Broadway Database
  60. ^ Via Galactica at the Internet Broadway Database
  61. ^ The Goodbye People at the Internet Broadway Database
  62. ^ High at the Internet Broadway Database
  63. ^ Anyone Can Whistle at the Internet Broadway Database
  64. ^ "Suzanne Somers' The Blonde in the Thunderbird to Close on Saturday". BroadwayWorld. July 20, 2005. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  65. ^ The Blonde in the Thunderbird at the Internet Broadway Database
  66. ^ Brighton Beach Memoirs (2009 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  67. ^ Elling at the Internet Broadway Database
  68. ^ The Lieutenant at the Internet Broadway Database
  69. ^ Nick & Nora at the Internet Broadway Database
  70. ^ Rock 'N Roll! The First 5,000 Years at the Internet Broadway Database
  71. ^ A Joyful Noise at the Internet Broadway Database
  72. ^ Dreyfus in Rehearsal at the Internet Broadway Database
  73. ^ Lolita at the Internet Broadway Database
  74. ^ Seagulls Over Sorrento at the Internet Broadway Database
  75. ^ The Threepenny Opera at the Internet Broadway Database
  76. ^ McKinley, Jesse (June 20, 2000). "'Macbeth' Will Close After Just 10 Days on Broadway". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  77. ^ Macbeth at the Internet Broadway Database
  78. ^ Metro at the Internet Broadway Database
  79. ^ High Fidelity at the Internet Broadway Database
  80. ^ Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only at the Internet Broadway Database
  81. ^ The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public at the Internet Broadway Database
  82. ^ Dude at the Internet Broadway Database
  83. ^ The Man Who Had Three Arms at the Internet Broadway Database
  84. ^ Merrily We Roll Along at the Internet Broadway Database
  85. ^ Nellie Bly at the Internet Broadway Database
  86. ^ Oh, Kay! (1928 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  87. ^ Amour at the Internet Broadway Database
  88. ^ The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2006 revival) at the Internet Broadway Database
  89. ^ Leap of Faith at the Internet Broadway Database
  90. ^ All About Me at the Internet Broadway Database
  91. ^ The Climate of Eden at the Internet Broadway Database
  92. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (July 3, 2019). "16 Broadway Shows That Closed Before Opening". Playbill. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  93. ^ Infidel Caesar at the Internet Broadway Database
  94. ^ Venus Is at the Internet Broadway Database
  95. ^ A Way of Life at the Internet Broadway Database
  96. ^ The Office at the Internet Broadway Database
  97. ^ Leda Had a Little Swan at the Internet Broadway Database
  98. ^ Me Jack, You Jill at the Internet Broadway Database
  99. ^ Let My People Come at the Internet Broadway Database

Further reading[]

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