Phantom of the Opera 1986 still playing today Not sure on this one

I would propose "Jesus Christ Superstar" or "Evita", if they qualify as musicals (actually, they are supposed to be rock opera). If not, I would propose Cats. 1) here is the list of the shows with his music, from the beginning up to 1986: "The Likes of Us (1965) Lyrics by Tim Rice Not shown until 2005 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968) Lyrics by Tim Rice Jesus Christ Superstar (1970) Lyrics by Tim Rice Jeeves (1975) Lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn Revised in 1996 as By Jeeves Evita (1976) Lyrics by Tim Rice Tell Me on a Sunday (1979) Lyrics by Don Black Cats (1981) Lyrics by Trevor Nunn, after T. S. Eliot Song and Dance (1982) Lyrics by Don Black (revised by Richard Maltby, Jr. for Broadway) Combination of Variations (1978) and Tell Me On A Sunday (1979) Starlight Express (1984) Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe The Phantom of the Opera (1986) Lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe Based on the Gaston Leroux novel" Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lloyd_Webber 2) Could some of these shows not qualify as musicals? "Townshend's rock opera influenced many, including composer Andrew Lloyd Webber who, with lyricist Tim Rice, composed Jesus Christ Superstar which was first recorded and released as a concept album in 1970. The money made from album sales was used to fund the subsequent stage production in late 1971, which had been Lloyd Webber and Rice's original vision. Jesus Christ Superstar was explicitly billed as a "rock opera" and though it first appeared in recorded form, it became far more famous as a Broadway musical, leading it to be called a "rock musical", blurring the distinction between the two terms. Webber and Rice's last collaboration was Evita, which is supposedly considered a rock opera, along with Broadway musical styled songs. The show (like Jesus Christ Superstar) is told entirely in song and, at first, producers thought that it would be a flop on the Broadway stage. However, it won seven Tony Awards, including "Best Musical"." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_opera 3) Was some of those shows unsuccessful (at least as it was first released)? "By Jeeves, originally Jeeves, is a 1975/1996 musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn, based on the novels of P. G. Wodehouse. Jeeves is the original 1975 version, which opened on 22 April 1975 and closed on 24 May after 38 performances at Her Majesty's Theatre, London. It is regarded as Andrew Lloyd-Webber's only real flop." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By_Jeeves 4) As a conclusion: - "The Likes of Us (1965)" is here to be excluded, because it was not shown until 2005 - "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968)" could answer the question, as "Jeeves" is the only real flop. - "Jesus Christ Superstar (1970)" could qualify, because it was a much larger success than everything before; however, you must agree that it is a musical. - Jeeves (1975) does not qualify, as "the only real flop" (at least in the original version) - "Evita (1976)" could qualify. Although also supposedly a rock opera, it became recognition with the Tony Awards, including "Best Musical"." - "Tell Me on a Sunday (1979)". I don't think this one was such a huge success, but it was a musical. - "Cats (1981)" This is a musical. And if this one is not successful, I don't know...