Best of Broadway: The most iconic live musicals

'Moulin Rouge!' is the first Australian-produced musical to originate on Broadway. It opened July 2019, though the pandemic closures cut its successful run short. However, the musical return to the stage was celebrated by a string of wins including Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Aaron Tveit), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Danny Burstein), Best Scenic Design in a Musical, Best Costume Design in a Musical, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, and Best Sound Design of a Musical. Safe to say: it's a must-see!

1 / 33 Fotos

'Les Misérables' - This epic musical set in 19th-century France tells the story of Jean Valjean, a peasant on a mission for redemption after serving 19 years in jail for stealing a mere loaf of bread.

2 / 33 Fotos

'The Phantom of the Opera' - The longest-running show in Broadway history, 'The Phantom of the Opera' follows a beautiful soprano who becomes the obsession of a mysterious opera singer who "haunts" the opera house.

3 / 33 Fotos

'Wicked' - An alternative view of 'The Wizard of Oz,' this beloved musical tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba and Glinda.

4 / 33 Fotos

'West Side Story' -

Set in New York City in the 1950s, 'West Side Story' follows two teenage street gangs in the Upper West Side.

5 / 33 Fotos

'Hamilton' - Detailing the life of American forefather Alexander Hamilton through song and hip-hop, this iconic musical earned numerous accolades and immense box office success.

6 / 33 Fotos

'Rent' - This hit Broadway musical follows a group of struggling artists working to survive in New York City.

7 / 33 Fotos

'The Sound of Music' - Detailing the lives of the Von Trapp Family, 'The Sound of Music' is a five-time Tony Award-winning production.

8 / 33 Fotos

'The Book of Mormon' - Two young and naive Mormon missionaries are sent to war-torn Uganda to share the Book of Mormon with the local people.

9 / 33 Fotos

'The Lion King' - Based on the 1994 Disney film of the same name, 'The Lion King' was an international success.

10 / 33 Fotos

'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' - This epic musical thriller is set in 19th-century England and follows a man determined to get revenge on a judge who banished him 15 years prior.

11 / 33 Fotos

'Chicago' - In Prohibition-era Chicago, this famed musical follows the life and crimes of "celebrity murderers."

12 / 33 Fotos

'Fiddler on the Roof' - This beloved musical follows Tevye, a traditional Jewish man who is marrying off his five daughters.

13 / 33 Fotos

'Into the Woods' - A musical based on the classic fairy-tale stories we know and love, 'Into the Woods' won several Tony Awards and has been reproduced internationally.

14 / 33 Fotos

'Hairspray' - Set in Baltimore in 1962, 'Hairspray' follows Tracy Turnblad as she follows her dream to dance on a hip TV show, and crusades for social justice along the way.

15 / 33 Fotos

'Little Shop of Horrors' - This horror musical tells the story of a florist who accidentally grows a plant that feeds on human flesh.

16 / 33 Fotos

'Cabaret' -

Detailing the life of a 19-year-old English performer working at a seedy cabaret club in Berlin, this iconic production was a Broadway hit.

17 / 33 Fotos

'My Fair Lady' - A peasant flower girl with a Cockney accent takes speech lessons so that she can pass for a proper lady.

18 / 33 Fotos

'A Chorus Line' - Following the auditions of Broadway dancers trying to get a spot on a production's chorus line, this musical gives a glimpse into the life of theater stars.

19 / 33 Fotos

'Grease' - This beloved musical production follows high school students in the 1960s who are dealing with the social pressures of love, teen pregnancy, and stereotypes.

20 / 33 Fotos

'Guys and Dolls' - This Pulitzer Prize-winning production follows New York City gamblers on a mission to strike it rich.

21 / 33 Fotos

'Evita' - This powerful political musical follows the life of Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentinian president, Juan Perón.

22 / 33 Fotos

'Beauty and the Beast' - When a Prince is turned into a hideous beast for his wrongdoings, he must earn the love of an adventurous young woman before he is cursed forever.

23 / 33 Fotos

'Annie' - 'Annie' follows an 11-year-old orphan on a mission to find her parents, but who finds a home along the way with a wealthy and caring billionaire.

24 / 33 Fotos

'Jesus Christ Superstar' - This iconic 1970s rock opera recounts Jesus and his disciples' journey to Jerusalem, ending with his crucifixion.

25 / 33 Fotos

'Avenue Q' - This coming-of-age musical details the stresses of adulthood with the help of the 'Sesame Street' characters.

26 / 33 Fotos

'Spring Awakening' - This legendary rock production follows teenagers who are on the brink of a sexual awakening.

27 / 33 Fotos

'The King and I' - A British schoolteacher is hired by the King of Siam in the early 1960s as a way to help modernize his country.

28 / 33 Fotos

'Cats' - This iconic production follows a tribe of cats, known as the Jellicles, who must decide which one of their feline members will ascend to a new life.

29 / 33 Fotos

'Oklahoma!' - Set in a small town in Oklahoma in 1906, this classic Broadway show follows the trials and tribulations of romance between cowboys and farm girls.

30 / 33 Fotos

'Miss Saigon' - Set during the Vietnam War, this musical production details the marriage between an American lieutenant and a geisha.

31 / 33 Fotos

'Mamma Mia' -

This epic jukebox musical is based off the hit songs from the Swedish pop group ABBA.

32 / 33 Fotos

Getty Images

0 / 33 Fotos

Moulin Rouge -

Getty Images

1 / 33 Fotos

2 / 33 Fotos

3 / 33 Fotos

'Wicked' - An alternative view of 'The Wizard of Oz,' this beloved musical tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba and Glinda.

4 / 33 Fotos

'West Side Story' -

Set in New York City in the 1950s, 'West Side Story' follows two teenage street gangs in the Upper West Side.

Getty Images

5 / 33 Fotos

'Hamilton' - Detailing the life of American forefather Alexander Hamilton through song and hip-hop, this iconic musical earned numerous accolades and immense box office success.

6 / 33 Fotos

'Rent' - This hit Broadway musical follows a group of struggling artists working to survive in New York City.

7 / 33 Fotos

'The Sound of Music' - Detailing the lives of the Von Trapp Family, 'The Sound of Music' is a five-time Tony Award-winning production.

8 / 33 Fotos

'The Book of Mormon' - Two young and naive Mormon missionaries are sent to war-torn Uganda to share the Book of Mormon with the local people.

9 / 33 Fotos

'The Lion King' - Based on the 1994 Disney film of the same name, 'The Lion King' was an international success.

10 / 33 Fotos

'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' - This epic musical thriller is set in 19th-century England and follows a man determined to get revenge on a judge who banished him 15 years prior.

11 / 33 Fotos

'Chicago' - In Prohibition-era Chicago, this famed musical follows the life and crimes of "celebrity murderers."

12 / 33 Fotos

'Fiddler on the Roof' - This beloved musical follows Tevye, a traditional Jewish man who is marrying off his five daughters.

13 / 33 Fotos

'Into the Woods' - A musical based on the classic fairy-tale stories we know and love, 'Into the Woods' won several Tony Awards and has been reproduced internationally.

14 / 33 Fotos

'Hairspray' - Set in Baltimore in 1962, 'Hairspray' follows Tracy Turnblad as she follows her dream to dance on a hip TV show, and crusades for social justice along the way.

15 / 33 Fotos

'Little Shop of Horrors' - This horror musical tells the story of a florist who accidentally grows a plant that feeds on human flesh.

16 / 33 Fotos

'Cabaret' -

Detailing the life of a 19-year-old English performer working at a seedy cabaret club in Berlin, this iconic production was a Broadway hit.

Getty Images

17 / 33 Fotos

'My Fair Lady' - A peasant flower girl with a Cockney accent takes speech lessons so that she can pass for a proper lady.

18 / 33 Fotos

'A Chorus Line' - Following the auditions of Broadway dancers trying to get a spot on a production's chorus line, this musical gives a glimpse into the life of theater stars.

19 / 33 Fotos

'Grease' - This beloved musical production follows high school students in the 1960s who are dealing with the social pressures of love, teen pregnancy, and stereotypes.

20 / 33 Fotos

'Guys and Dolls' - This Pulitzer Prize-winning production follows New York City gamblers on a mission to strike it rich.

21 / 33 Fotos

'Evita' - This powerful political musical follows the life of Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentinian president, Juan Perón.

22 / 33 Fotos

'Beauty and the Beast' - When a Prince is turned into a hideous beast for his wrongdoings, he must earn the love of an adventurous young woman before he is cursed forever.

23 / 33 Fotos

'Annie' - 'Annie' follows an 11-year-old orphan on a mission to find her parents, but who finds a home along the way with a wealthy and caring billionaire.

24 / 33 Fotos

'Jesus Christ Superstar' - This iconic 1970s rock opera recounts Jesus and his disciples' journey to Jerusalem, ending with his crucifixion.

25 / 33 Fotos

'Avenue Q' - This coming-of-age musical details the stresses of adulthood with the help of the 'Sesame Street' characters.

26 / 33 Fotos

'Spring Awakening' - This legendary rock production follows teenagers who are on the brink of a sexual awakening.

27 / 33 Fotos

'The King and I' - A British schoolteacher is hired by the King of Siam in the early 1960s as a way to help modernize his country.

28 / 33 Fotos

'Cats' - This iconic production follows a tribe of cats, known as the Jellicles, who must decide which one of their feline members will ascend to a new life.

29 / 33 Fotos

'Oklahoma!' - Set in a small town in Oklahoma in 1906, this classic Broadway show follows the trials and tribulations of romance between cowboys and farm girls.

30 / 33 Fotos

'Miss Saigon' - Set during the Vietnam War, this musical production details the marriage between an American lieutenant and a geisha.

31 / 33 Fotos

'Mamma Mia' -

This epic jukebox musical is based off the hit songs from the Swedish pop group ABBA.

32 / 33 Fotos

Best of Broadway: The most iconic live musicals

'The Phantom of the Opera' is the longest-running production in Broadway history

30/10/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Stage

Broadway musicals are the peak of live theater, blending powerful storytelling with music, dance, and stunning production. These performances bring together the best of artistic talent, captivating audiences with emotionally charged performances, breathtaking choreography, and unforgettable songs. For decades, Broadway has been home to legendary shows like 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Les Misérables,' and 'Hamilton' drawing theater lovers from around the world to experience the magic and cultural impact of live musical theater. Whether classic or contemporary, Broadway musicals continue to inspire and entertain generations.

What is your all-time favorite Broadway musical? Does it make this list of the most iconic productions in Broadway history? Click on to find out!