Hal Prince Gives Back: Joins International Fund for Animal Welfare Board

Legendary Broadway producer and director Hal Prince has joined the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org), one of the world's leading international animal welfare organizations, as an Honorary Board Member.

Mr. Prince's first act? Posing for IFAW's Tails for Whales campaign (www.ifaw.org/tailsforwhales). A call to action to protect the majestic marine species, Tails for Whales is a visual petition - an ever growing collection of photos with individuals' hands posed in the shape of a whale's tail. Mr. Prince joins a troupe of celebrities, public figures and everyday individuals raising their hands in support of whale conservation. Actors Goran Visnjic, Joely Fisher, Kristin Bauer, Ben Stein and Dylan Walsh, as well as authors, athletes, musicians and world renowned scientists, are among the familiar faces that have already posed and leant their support for the campaign.

"Hal's contribution to the world of theater is unparalleled and we could not be more excited for him to bring his passion and flair to the world of animal welfare as an Honorary Board Member of IFAW," said Fred O'Regan, President and CEO, IFAW.

"IFAW is comprised of extraordinary people who have accomplished a great deal on behalf of animal and wildlife populations around the globe," said Prince. "I have always been incredibly fond of their work and am honored to now be a part of this wonderful organization."

Prince joins other IFAW Honorary Board Members including Leonardo DiCaprio, Keely and Pierce Brosnan, Amber Valletta, Ben Stein, and Goran Visnjic.

Having directed and produced over 50 Broadway productions, Hal Prince has left a lasting-mark on the New York theatre history books. He set foot on the scene directing his first musical in 1955, the Tony Award-winning The Pajama Game. In the coming decades, Prince would pair with some of Broadway's legends, including Stephen Sondheim, John Kander and Fred Ebb and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Prince's impressive list of theatrical milestones and blockbusters include The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, West Side Story, Damn Yankees, Follies, Evita, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Show Boat, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Fiddler on the Roof.

Hal Prince has garnered an unparalleled 21 Tony Awards - and received the 2006 Tony Award for Special Achievement. His most recent Broadway production was the acclaimed production of LoveMusik at the Biltmore Theatre, featuring Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy with the music of Kurt Weill. Other Broadway credits include Parade, Fiorello!, On the Twentieth Century, Merrily We Roll Along, Candide and A Little Night Music.

As one of the world's leading animal welfare organizations, IFAW has representation in 16 countries and carries out its animal welfare work in more than 40. IFAW works from its global headquarters in the United States and focuses its campaigns on improving the welfare of wild and domestic animals by reducing the commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. IFAW works both on the ground and in the halls of government to safeguard wild and domestic animals and seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people. For more information on IFAW, visit www.ifaw.org; become a Facebook fan; follow IFAW on Twitter. Tails for whales can be found at www.ifaw.org/tailsforwhales.