1. Perfect Crime (Opened on Apr. 18, 1987)
Snapple Theater, 1627 Broadway, nr. 50th St.; 212-921-7862
While the final “shocking” twist will elicit shrugs from today’s jaded audiences, this Off Broadway thriller’s longevity qualifies it as a true New York mystery.
• $40
2. The Phantom of the Opera (Opened on Jan. 26, 1988)
Majestic Theater, 247 W. 44th St., nr. Broadway; 212-239-2974
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s behemoth of a musical heads into its umpteenth year of cheesily synth-heavy Broadway glory.
• $55–$100
3. Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding (Opened on Feb. 14, 1988)
The Edison Theatre at the Edison Hotel, 221 W. 46th St., nr. Broadway; 212-354-0161
Interactive dinner theater that has unfortunately inspired a myriad of similarly themed, stereotype-pushing copycats.
• $87–$125
4. Blue Man Group (Opened on Nov. 17, 1991)
Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette St., nr. Astor Pl.; 212-254-4370
If making paintings by slamming an upside-down audience member (soaked in blue) into a giant canvas sounds silly, well, it is.
• $59—$69
5. Stomp (Opened on Feb. 27, 1994)
Orpheum Theatre, 126 Second Ave., nr. St. Marks Pl.; 212-477-2477
A wordless percussion and dance extravaganza that still feels surprisingly fresh and inventive more than a decade later.
• $29–$60
6. Rent (Opened on Apr. 29, 1996)
Nederlander Theater, 208 W. 41st St., at Seventh Ave.; 212-921-8000
Jonathan Larson’s wildly successful pop-rock update of La Boheme has the same enduring appeal as its operatic predecessor.
• $45–$90
7. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Opened on Aug. 1, 1996)
Westside Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., at Seventh Ave.; 212-239-6200
More cabaret act than bona fide musical, this bare-bones revue continues to serve up clichéd ditties on the ups and downs of dating.
• $65
8. Chicago (Opened on Nov. 14, 1996)
Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St., nr. Broadway; 212-239-6200
The Bob Fosse musical about fame-hungry murderesses has continually refreshed its revival with celebrity guest stars like Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, and more recently, Usher.
• $47.50–$111.25
9. The Lion King (Opened on Nov. 13, 1997)
New Amsterdam Theater, 214 W. 42nd St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-282-2900
Julie Taymor’s beautiful reimagining of the Disney animated movie remains a breathtaking spectacle.
• $40–$100
10. Naked Boys Singing (Opened on Jul. 22, 1999)
New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St, nr. Eighth Ave.; 646-871-1730
This “stripped-down” take on the musical revue still serves up full-frontal entertainment for lusty gay men and giddy bachelorette parties.
• $69
Off-Off Broadway:
Israel Horovitz’s one-act Line, a poor man’s Waiting for Godot, has played continuously at the 13th Street Repertory Theater since January 1974.