Broadway Mourns The Passing Of Hal Prince
By: Linnae Medeiros Jul. 31, 2019
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the legendary theatrical producer and director Hal Prince has passed away at the age of 91. Prince, whose career spanned over seven decades, impacted the Broadway musical as we know it today, and members of the theatre community took to social media to mourn the loss and speak on the impact of the legend. Check out posts from Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Iconis, and more below!
"Hal Prince was not only a legendary director of musicals but also a brilliant producer As the curtain finally falls on his phenomenal career it is fitting that his greatest success as a director, The Phantom of The Opera, is still both the longest running musical on Broadway and continues playing to packed houses at its original London theatre Her Majesty's, where he also enjoyed two of his most enduring hits as the original producer of Fiddler on the Roof and West Side Story. The Gods of the theatre salute you Hal." - Cameron Mackintosh
"We at the American Theatre Wing mourn with the rest of the theatre community, as today, we have lost a giant. Hal was our most Tony-winning artist as well as an exceptional mentor and thought leader for our industry. His legacy lives on in all the life changing theatre and artists he helped foster and shape. Rest well, friend!" - Heather Hitchens, CEO & President of the American Theatre Wing
"This news hits me hard. Hal was a true icon, a true innovator and a true gentleman. I am indebted to him, and will be forever grateful for the gifts of his talent and friendship. - Len Cariou - Actor, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd
Hal Prince's passing is such a sad and heavy loss to musical theatre. What an amazing legacy he leaves us, with so many years of extraordinary work. It was indeed the greatest honour to have worked with him. My thoughts to Judy and the family.
- Michael Crawford (@CrawfordMichael) July 31, 2019
-Michael Crawford
Farewell Hal
Not just the prince of musicals, the crowned head who directed two of the greatest productions of my career, Evita and Phantom. This wonderful man taught me so much and his mastery of musical theatre was without equal. - ALW pic.twitter.com/CJomXUFUyp- Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) July 31, 2019
RIP our dear Hal Prince. You inspired. You will ALWAYS inspire.
- Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) July 31, 2019
I am saddened beyond words. There are some people you feel we will never be without. Hal is one of them. I owe so much to him. He knows my love for him. #HalPrince #Broadway pic.twitter.com/G2uhhHPMZ6
- Chita Rivera (@Chita_Rivera) July 31, 2019
Thank you Hal Prince for spending your life telling stories that challenged & provoked us & for making the musical a vital, life-changing art form. Less significantly, thank you for your unabashed warmth & generosity when you came to Evan Hansen 12/16/16.
- Ben Platt (@BenSPLATT) July 31, 2019
I will never forget it.
With a sad heart I say RIP to dear Hal Prince - The Prince of Broadway, my Prince of #Evita ... I owe so much to him. Sending love and deepest sympathy to his personal family and his theatrical family across the world. Hal, you will be missed by us all. pic.twitter.com/ZNluMSEbuK
- Elaine Paige (@elaine_paige) July 31, 2019
RIP Hal Prince?
- Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) July 31, 2019
What a sad day
Hal Prince forever changed the landscape of the American musical. Thank you, Hal.
- George Salazar (@georgesalazar) July 31, 2019
- Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) July 31, 2019
Hal, you taught me so much. You inspired and encrouraged me on a daily basis. Thank you for showing me what a real leader can be like. So kind, so gracious, and a real visionary for the theatre. Your heart was seen in everything you created and imagined. I will miss you greatly!
- Tony Yazbeck (@TonyYazbeck) July 31, 2019
So sad to hear about the passing of Hal Prince. A legendary artist. Rest In Peace. ❤️
- Phillipa Soo (@Phillipasoo) July 31, 2019
RIP Hal Prince. ❤️ https://t.co/FCKKDE4W0b
- Lena Hall (@LenaRockerHall) July 31, 2019
a humble giant and one of the two men most responsible for all I cared about, aspired to and believed in about Broadway and american theater is gone. I'm sure the marquee lights will be dimmed tonight. But truly they'll never shine so brightly again. Flights of angels, Hal. pic.twitter.com/vvxGSURHdp
- Michael Cerveris (@cerveris) July 31, 2019
This brilliant man, came to fine me after a performance of Sweetee and brought me to tears. Thank you for your contributions to this earth!
- JelaniAlladin (@JelaniAlladin) July 31, 2019
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our legendary director, Hal Prince. Our condolences to his family at this time. With love, the entire Phamily pic.twitter.com/jQwcziCsS9
- The Phantom Of The Opera (@PhantomOpera) July 31, 2019
- Jason Robert Brown (@MrJasonRBrown) July 31, 2019
- Jason Robert Brown (@MrJasonRBrown) July 31, 2019
RIP to the legend Hal Prince. It's because of his vision, his work, his creativity and his passion that I came to love theatre in the first place. I have a feeling you might feel the same. Thank you, sir. Rest well.
- Jessica Vosk (@JessicaVosk) July 31, 2019
Beyond heartbroken to find out that #HalPrince has passed away?Working with Hal was one of the greatest honors of my artistic life-I'll never forget his kindness,generosity& brilliance as an artist & as a human.Sending love & condolences to Judy,Daisy,Charlie &all loved ones??
- Donna Murphy (@DMurphyOfficial) July 31, 2019
Goodnight sweet Prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest ??? pic.twitter.com/N6Dcx47LnZ
- Donna Murphy (@DMurphyOfficial) July 31, 2019
One of the things #HalPrince did that I loved was...he always scheduled a meeting about a new on the morning after opening night. If the reviews were bad, he'd have a new show to ease the pain, and if not, he'd have a new show to focus on and celebrate Broadway!
- Seth Rudetsky (@SethRudetsky) July 31, 2019
It is literally impossible to say that you love musicals without having been influenced by the work of this giant. Directly and indirectly, he touched everything that came after him. #riphalprince
- Julia Murney (@JuliaMurney) July 31, 2019
Sharing my enormous sadness for the loss and gratitude for the life of Hal Prince. He was truly a friend. I will miss him. RIP, Hal.
- Andrew Lippa (@lippaofficial) July 31, 2019
Rest in enormous peace, Hal Prince.
A true theatre titan. - Alex Brightman (@ABrightMonster) July 31, 2019
- Joe Iconis (@MrJoeIconis) July 31, 2019
Thank You Hal Prince.?
- Adrienne Warren (@adriennelwarren) July 31, 2019
I am heartbroken and I don't have any words yet except I love you, Hal. You changed my life. You changed the theatre. And you changed the world. I will treasure everything you gave to us forever. pic.twitter.com/KOJftK667h
- Jennifer Tepper (@jenashtep) July 31, 2019
RIP #HalPrince. One of the giants of Broadway and a deeply kind and inspiring human being.
- Tony Goldwyn (@tonygoldwyn) July 31, 2019
My god. A true legend. I'm so grateful for his work. Light and love to his family, friends, and collaborators. https://t.co/JXatA5viWZ
- Andy Mientus (@andymientus) July 31, 2019
RIP Hal. The father of all of it. Modern musical theatre exists largely because of this man's genius as producer AND director. https://t.co/3bnyvGszBd
- Stephen Oremus (@stephenoremus) July 31, 2019
So sad. Just heard the news of the passing of the genius that was Hal Prince. No one person has shaped the course of theatre quite like he did. I'm honoured to have known and worked with you, Hal. I'm sure wherever you are your light will keep on shining bright. #halprince pic.twitter.com/OEvH5Gra2D
- Michael D. Xavier (@michaelxavierUK) July 31, 2019
Thank you, Hal Prince.
- Alexandra Silber (@alsilbs) July 31, 2019
Absolutely devastated at the news of the great Hal Prince's passing. He was a brilliant, generous soul & he changed my life (and so many lives) with his genius. Love to his family. He will live forever in our lives and deeply in my heart. RIP Uncle Hal. You had a glorious run.
- Donna Lynne Champlin (@DLChamplin) July 31, 2019
RIP Hal Prince. What a legend! ?
- Alyssa Fox (@AlyssaFox) July 31, 2019
RIP Hal Prince. Thank you for your legendary brilliance, your visionary collaborations and your love of the theater. All of our marquees are dim today. #SweeneyTodd #Phantom #thePajamaGame #Follies #ALittleNightMusic #Company #Cabaret #SheLovesMe just to name a few.
- Kevin Chamberlin (@kevinchamberlin) July 31, 2019
RIP dear Hal. Thank you for all the incredible theatre you gave us through the years, and for casting me in my first Broadway show. You changed my life and so many others. You will be so missed. #halprince pic.twitter.com/Zzaoa5nhEe
- Liz Callaway (@LizGoesOn) July 31, 2019
The contemporary American musical theater we know today does not exist without this man. We owe him the greatest debt. A true legend and visionary. #RIPHalPrince pic.twitter.com/CmRNTSWLQS
- Bobby Conte Thornton (@bobby_conte) July 31, 2019
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