What Are the 35 Longest-running Broadway Shows?
(35 long-running Broadway shows)
Annie had just finished lunch at Hamilton’s when she got a call from the producers of “Jeopardy” to come to Chicago to audition for the current season.
During her life with father and mother, she watched the show frequently. Growing up in Oklahoma and later in New Jersey, boys were of little interest to her unless they liked the show. Even when she heard music at school, she thought of the “Jeopardy!” theme.
She liked categories she found wickedly amusing, such as “potent potables.” Miserable subjects like “those darn Etruscans” were of less interest. Her favorite category was Broadway Plays. She had seen hundreds of plays, and dreamed of answering with questions such as, “What is ‘Oh, Calcutta’?” “What is ‘Miss Saigon’”?
Her husband, Abie, was accompanying her. They had met when he was a lad, dining alone in a greasy spoon. The only tension between them was how he focused his compliments of her looks, calling her “beautiful” and “my fair lady.” She would have preferred references to her intelligence rather than to her beauty (and the “be astute” moment, she hoped, would occur.)
She was hoping to get on the show. It would be fun, she might make money and it just might be an avenue-quite a long shot, admittedly-to fame.
The big day arrived. They left their apartment on 42nd Street and a few hours later were at their hotel. The hotel was built when the Phantom of the Opera was written, and was hardly stately. Abie’s Irish rose when the bellhop greeted Annie saying, “Hello, Dolly.” The grease on the rug marred an otherwise acceptable room. They saw the humor in there being the Book of Mormon instead of a Gideon Bible in the room—especially as the room had the biggest mini-bar either had seen. Abie and Annie had some drinks, watched a movie far more risqué than the Lion King, and once she put on her kinky boots and… well let’s say little studying was done.
Anxiety and nerves woke her early the next morning. Everything was slightly off. She couldn’t get her hair right—why did hairspray go out of style, she asked. It took four attempts to get her makeup correct. Her dress made her look like Mary Poppins.
These problems were forgotten when she aced the audition. She knew tradition was the reason for the Fiddler on the Roof being there. She recognized the song, “The Impossible Dream” as being from the “Man of La Mancha.” She knew Dwayne Johnson was “the Rock.” Of ages 49 ½, 59 ½ and 64 ½, she guessed the correct one for being able to withdraw on a tax-free basis from an Individual Retirement Account.
And the interviews went well. She had been a little anxious about these, wishing she hadn’t given up tobacco. (Roads to being on game shows include tests to ensure the audience will, at worst, not dislike a contestant.)
Upon learning she would be a contestant, she and Abie decided to celebrate. They headed to a cabaret where they saw a chorus line dance to songs from “Mamma Mia.” Back at the hotel, Abie suggested reprising the previous night’s activities, suggesting they brought good luck. Annie agreed they had talismanic powers, and thus should wait until the night before she competed on the show. As Annie fell asleep, Abie asked, “what is talismanic?” Half asleep, Annie replied, “now you are auditioning for the show?”
