Hal Prince

Date of Death: July 31, 2019 (91)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

Get Hal Prince Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Hal Prince BIO

Hal Prince was a theater producer and director who has made a significant contribution to Broadway musicals in America. In a career spanning more than fifty years, Prince has received ten Drama Desk Awards as Outstanding Director and 21 Tony Awards for Best Direction, Best Producer, Best Musical, and Lifetime Achievement. In addition, Prince was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1994 and the recipient of the National Medal of Arts in 2000.

Prince received his education at University of Pennsylvania, where he enrolled in a liberal arts program and was actively involved in the student theater group, Penn Players. After graduating in 1948, he returned to New York and began working as an assistant stage manager to producer and director George Abbott. This experience led to co-production opportunities with Robert E. Griffith and Frederick Brisson, resulting in the first two musicals that won Tonys for Prince - The Pajama Game (1954) and Damn Yankees (1955).

After several co-productions, including the classic West Side Story in 1957, Prince began to produce his own musicals. Fiddler on the Roof (1964) enjoyed enormous success with a record-breaking run of over three thousand performances between 1964 and 1972.

Prince was also a celebrated director with hits including Cabaret (1966), Sweeney Todd (1979), Evita (1979), and The Phantom of the Opera (1988).

Besides his achievements as a producer and director, Prince is also known for bringing innovation to the theatrical arts. In collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, he was a pioneer in the development of the "concept musical," taking its departure from an idea or theme rather than from a traditional story. Their first project of this kind, Company (1970), was a solid success and paved the way for other innovative musicals.

Prince's contribution to the arts extends beyond the musical theater: he made a number of movie adaptations (Damn Yankees 1958, A Little Night Music 1977), and directed for television (Candide 1986). In addition, he served as a trustee for the New York Public Library and on the National Council of the Arts of the National Education Association.

Prince's final Broadway work was fittingly Prince of Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, co-directed with Susan Stroman, which was a revue of his most prolific work, and featured cast members playing a version of Prince. The production included fully staged hits from such celebrated musicals as West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Evita, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and more, in an unforgettable tribute to an unmatched Broadway career.

Hal Prince Photos

Hal Prince STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1953
Frank Lippencott (Understudy)

Hal Prince Productions

 
[Broadway, 1953]
Stage Manager

Hal Prince Videos

Hal Prince News


Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Tri-M Productions At New Mexico Actors Lab

Sondheim is everywhere. Since the start of 2024, I have seen two on Broadway (Merrily We Roll Along; Sweeney Todd), one Off-Broadway (Here We Are, the play he was working on when he passed away in 2021) one just last week in Albuquerque (Into the Woods) and last night in Santa Fe, A Little Night Music.

Is Michael Greif Setting a Record by Directing 3 Shows This Season?

This time, the reader question was: Is Michael Greif setting a record by directing three shows this season?

Center Stage Records to Re-Release Four Albums by Jessica Molaskey

Center Stage Records will re-release four classic Jessica Molaskey albums – Pentimento, A Good Day, Make Believe, and Sitting in Limbo. Learn more about these albums and see how to listen!

Linda Purl and Diva Jazz Orchestra Bring BIG BAND ROMANCE to Birdland in April

Birdland has announced that singer/actress Linda Purl, joined with internationally, acclaimed DIVA Jazz Orchestra, returns to its historic stage on Monday April 1 at 7pm.

SWEENEY TODD Revival Cast Recording 3-LP Set Available Now

The 2023 Broadway Cast Recording of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is available now as a 3-LP set pressed on Revenge Red vinyl.

'Shakespeare in the Raw' Production of HENRY V Will Be Performed by First Maria Ensemble and Knickerbocker Players in March

From March 15 to 17, First Maria Ensemble and Knickerbocker Players will present a 'Shakespeare in the Raw' production of 'Henry V' at Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater, 10 West 64th Street.

Artistic Director Brandon Carter Will Depart The American Shakespeare Center

The American Shakespeare Center has announced the departure of Artistic Director Brandon Carter, after his nearly four years of service.

Review: SWEENEY TODD at A Noise Within

In classic ANW style, Rodriguez-Elliott has simplified everything, returning to the text and highlighting elements of the (mercifully and artfully) truncated libretto. Without a drop of stage blood, she has crafted lasting images of violence that grip us and carry the narrative.

New York Classical Theatre to Present HENRY IV in NYC Parks This Summer

New York Classical Theatre will present William Shakespeare’s Henry IV as the main production of the company’s 25th anniversary season. See where the show will be performed and learn more details about the production.

Interview: Luke Yankee's Being Me in MARILYN, MOM & ME

Luke Yankee’s Marilyn, Mom & Me world premieres February 16, 2024, at the International City Theatre. Written by Luke, he also directs the cast of Laura Gardner, Alisha Soper, Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield, Brian Rohan and Noah Wagner.

Porchlight shares Cast and Creative Team for PORCHLIGHT IN CONCERT: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre has revealed the cast and production team for Porchlight in Concert: Sunday in the Park with George.

MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING World Premiere & More Set for Ogunquit Playhouse 2024 Season

Ogunquit Playhouse has unveiled their 92nd season. See full programming, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Jane Krakowski, Linda Lavin & More Join THE GOOD WIFE Spin-Off

CBS' The Good Wife spin-off, Elsbeth, has added Jane Krakowski, Linda Lavin, Blair Underwood, and Retta as guest stars. In the new series, Carrie Preston stars as Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute but unconventional attorney who utilizes her singular point. Wendell Pierce also stars.

How Often Are Musicals Based on Documentaries?

This time, the reader question was: Is How To Dance in Ohio the only musical based on a documentary?

Full Cast Set for PLAYER KINGS Starring Ian McKellen, Toheeb Jimoh & Richard Coyle

IAN MCKELLEN, TOHEEB JIMOH & RICHARD COYLE star in Robert Icke's production of PLAYER KINGS, adapted from Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2.

ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE to Play Brunch Performance at Laura Beechman Theatre

Light the candles! Get the ice out! The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present a special brunch matinee performance on Sunday, February 25 at 2pm of Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile. 

MCPKids! Unveils Cast of THE PALE PINK DRAGON

MCPKids! has revealed the Cast of “The Pale Pink Dragon” - The Monmouth Community Players reveal the talented cast for their MCPKids! musical, The Pale Pink Dragon.

Review: A Dazzling, Inventive Adaptation Of Sondheim's COMPANY Lights Up The Room And Our Hearts At Straz Center For The Performing Arts

What did our critic think of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's COMPANY at Straz Center For The Performing Arts?

Rebecca Spencer And Philip Fortenberry To Debut New Concert THE BERGMAN PROJECT at The Stirling Club

Rebecca Spencer and Philip Fortenberry debut new concert in Las Vegas. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Hal Prince FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hal Prince has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

Hal Prince has not appeared in the West End

Get Hal Prince Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos