Overview
- An anniversary gala at the Sondheim Theatre on Oct. 8 featured alumni including Patti LuPone, Frances Ruffelle, Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Samantha Barks, Matt Lucas, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Bonnie Langford, with proceeds benefiting The Felix Project and UKHarvest.
- Running continuously since its Oct. 8, 1985 opening, the show remains the West End’s longest-running musical.
- The franchise’s global footprint includes productions in 53 countries and 438 cities, translated into 22 languages and seen by over 130 million people, according to the official site.
- A North American tour continues through next year, while the Arena Concert Spectacular has sold over 1 million tickets and is booked at Radio City Music Hall from July 23 to Aug. 2, 2026, with additional stops including Shanghai, Singapore and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
- Awards cement its status, with Patti LuPone’s Olivier win in 1985 and the 1987 Broadway production taking eight Tony Awards including best musical and best original score; the show also appears in Tuacahn Amphitheatre’s 2026 season.