Top 10 Broadway Shows That Need Revivals

Hairspray, leather pants, and plenty of epic guitar solos were all the ingredients that made "Rock of Ages" a smashing success on Broadway. The 2005 jukebox musical about a busboy dreaming with rockstar aspirations set against the backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles ran for over 2,300 performances. Featuring an awesome cast including "American Idol's" Constantine Maroulis and Amy Spanger, it wowed audiences with covers of songs like Europe's "The Final Countdown" and Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again." It's been a good long while since the totally rad show closed its doors. Although there's been a film adaptation and many tours, fans won't "Stop Believin’" that the time for an "Ages" revival is now.

Adapted from the beloved Frances Hodgson Burnett story, "The Secret Garden" has grown to become a treasured musical in the hearts of musical theatre fans. Opening at the St. James Theatre in 1991, the musical was helmed by the book and music writing team of Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon. Performers included legendary theatre performer Mandy Patinkin and a young John Cameron Mitchell. "Garden's" hauntingly beautiful story and score packed an emotional punch that won the production of a handful of Tony, including Best Book and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Daisy Eagan. Sadly, "Garden's" gates closed after only 709 performances, and we think it's time to revisit Misselthwaite Manor.

It was the show that not only rocked Broadway but revolutionized it. The late Jonathan Larson's "Rent" was a game changer when it premiered on Broadway in 1996. Racking up a slew of Tony Awards and a Pulitzer, the musical launched the careers of stars Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, and Anthony Rapp. It closed in 2008 after running for an astonishing 12 years at New York's Nederlander Theatre and launched tours, international productions, a film, and above all else, a legacy. Only a few years after "Rent" closed, an off-Broadway production opened at New World Stages. However, we’re sure there is always a home for it on the Great White Way and here’s hoping it returns soon.

Premiering at Ars Nova in 2012, "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812" was one of off-Broadway's most talked about shows. Based on a chapter of Leo Tolstoy's 19th-century epic novel "War and Peace," the musical was a roaring, wild and immersive experience. It transferred to Broadway in 2016, led by Josh Groban. Thanks to both critical and public acclaim, it racked up a bunch of Tony nods and a couple of wins. However, it wasn't enough to keep the party going, and "Comet" closed after 336 shows. Ever since then, fans have anxiously been awaiting the day when a revival is announced. While that might be a long wait, we have no doubts that it'll be more than worth it to see this show light up the stage again.

Before "Aida" was a soaring success on Broadway, it was pitched as an animated film for Disney. Based on the Antonio Ghislanzoni and Giuseppe Verdi opera, it took the shape of a musical with the studio producing under their theatrical department. Now, this wasn’t Disney’s first Broadway rodeo. They had produced stage adaptations like “Beauty and the Beast,” but “Aida” wasn’t based on one of their properties. The story is about two lovers who are conflicted over a war in Egypt. Tim Rice and Elton John provided the music, and the show opened in 2000. It hasn’t received a revival and nearly 20 years later, it seems long overdue. Much like Aida and Radames love, theatergoers' desire to see it return is everlasting.

Grab your papers and your flat cat cap cause it's time to "Seize the Day!" Premiering in 2011, "Newsies" sprinted right to New York City in 2012 and was another smash hit for Disney on Broadway. Based on the studio's live-action 1992 of the same name, the musical is inspired by the Newsboys' strike of 1899. The show turned its lead, Jeremy Jordan, into a future musical theatre legend and dropped jaws with its spectacular choreography. Even after closing in 2014, the musical has remained a fan favorite. Thanks to its popularity and wholesome family content, it's just begging for a revival.

It's been well over 30 years since "City of Angels" played Broadway, and quite frankly, that's musical theatre crime of the highest offense. The musical is one part comedy and one part crime drama. Centered in 1940s Hollywood, the story bounces back and forth between a film noir style detective and the writer adapting the story for the silver screen. It won Best Musical at the 1990 Tony Awards and was a success at the box office. Although the show received a remount in London in 2014, New York has been radio silent. With an outrageously humorous script and a fun jazzy score, it's a mystery why Broadway hasn't called "Angels" back to the stage.

Robert Louis Stevenson's literary horror, "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," has gone down as one of the most disturbing and chilly novels in the gothic genre. In 1990, the story was transformed into a musical by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse. It opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre years later and even featured stars like Sebastian Bach and David Hasselhoff during its three-year run. In 2013, "Hyde" earned a revival, but the show closed quickly after 29 performances. As the old saying goes, "third is time a charm," and perhaps another revival of "Hyde" is another try.

In 2007, "Legally Blonde" left the hallowed halls of Harvard for the bright lights of Broadway with a musical adaptation. Starring Laura Bell Bundy as the iconic Elle Woods, the production was filmed for an MTV broadcast and even spun off a reality show. Even after it closed a year, its popularity remained intact with tours, international productions, and many regional mounts. With its mass appeal, a superb score, and important message, "Blonde" is patiently waiting in the wings for its revival. Forget about painting the town red, "Blonde" is ready to turn Broadway back to pink. Case closed.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Action-Packed Show Based on Baroness Orczy’s Story That Deserves the Liberty of a Revival

“Who” Do We Want Back on Broadway? When Do We Want It? Now!

The Former King of Broadway, This Musical Comedy Is Ready to Bring Back the Laughs

Dr. Seuss’ Most Memorable Characters Are Ready tor Their Second Close Up

Please, Sir! We Want Oliver on Broadway & We’re Hoping It’ll Be “Back Soon”!

"And we are telling you"... if there's one show that Broadway needs to revive ASAP, it's "Dreamgirls." Bearing similarities to the real-life story of The Supremes, the musical is about the trials and tribulations of an R&B girl group in the 60s and 70s. The show made an absolute star into Jennifer Holliday, who gave us one of the musical theatre's most iconic performances of all time. There have been international productions, tours, and, of course, the 2006 film adaptation, but why not Broadway? While we might not know the answer, theatergoers are "gonna love" it no matter how long it takes.