👑 The Black Crook
Opened on September 12, 1866. Closed January 4, 1868 after 474 performances — 16 months. 👑 Broadway's longest-running show from August 5, 1867 until March 1, 1868. The Black Crook is a work of musical theatre first produced in New York City with great success in 1866. Many theatre writers have cautiously identified The Black Crook as the first popular piece that conforms to the modern notion of a musical. The book is by Charles M. Barras. The music, selected and arranged by Thomas Baker, consists mostly of adaptations, but it included some new songs composed for the piece, notably "You Naughty, Naughty Men". The story is a Faustian melodramatic romantic comedy, but the production became famous for its spectacular special effects and skimpy costumes. Wiki link