Hal Prince Talks PARADISE FOUND and PHANTOM Check-ins

Hal Prince is currently taking on a new challenge very different from many of the shows he has worked on in the past. In the process of bringing PARADISE found to an eventual home on Broadway, Prince understands he may have to compete against several of his own shows.

Prince will have to go up against a number of his own productions still running on Broadway, as well as several revivals of shows he worked on in the past. His longest running show, and the longest running show in Broadway history, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, is still in Prince's mind after 22 years.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Prince said he still occasionally checks in on rehearsals of PHANTOM. Ellen Gamerman writes, "Mr. Prince still checks in on rehearsals of "Phantom," which has been running nonstop in London and New York since the late 1980s. Last year, when a reunion of "Phantom" fans attended the Las Vegas production of the musical in costumes-many in Victorian garb-at least two people came dressed as Mr. Prince, with bald pates and glasses perched atop their brows, the director's longtime signature look (though he's putting the glasses to actual use more often now)."

But Prince is currently hoping for another hit with his newest endeavor, PARADISE FOUND. Prince said he hopes the high profile of FOUND's current house, London's Menier Chocolate Factory, will help the show transfer to Broadway. Two current Broadway productions, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, both got their start at Menier. Prince says of the London run, "I think what really all we're talking about is buzz."

To read the full article from the Wall Street Journal, click here.

The cast and creative team of PARADISE FOUND boasts an impressive pedigree. Lead by Tony and Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin (Evita, Sunday in the Park with George, "Chicago Hope"), the cast stars Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma!, Young Frankenstein), Tony Award winner Judy Kaye (The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Ragtime), 5-time Tony Award nominee John McMartin (Sweet Charity, Follies, Grey Gardens), Tony Award nominee Nancy Opel (Urinetown, Toxic Avenger), Kate Baldwin (Finian's Rainbow, Wonderful Town) and George Lee Andrews (The Phantom of the Opera, A Little Night Music).

The cast also features Amanda Kloots-Larsen (Young Frankenstein), Lacey Kohl (Carousel, Cry Baby), Herndon Lackey (Parade, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Les Misérables), Daniel Marcus (Pal Joey, Urinetown, Adding Machine), Jim Poulos (Rent, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer), Martin Van Treuren (Candide at New York City Opera, How the Grinch Stole Christmas) and Pamela Winslow Kashani (Into the Woods, Beauty & the Beast).

Based on the novel The Tale of the 1002nd Night by Viennese author Joseph Roth, PARADISE FOUND features a Book by Richard Nelson (James Joyce's The Dead, Two Shakespearean Actors), Music by Johann Strauss II, Lyrics by Tony Award nominee Ellen Fitzhugh (Grind, Herringbone) and Music adapted and arranged by Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner Jonathan Tunick (Titanic, Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line, Nine).

The production will feature scenic design by Beowulf Boritt (LoveMusik, Spelling Bee, Rock of Ages), costume design by Tony Award winner Judith Dolan (Candide, Parade), lighting design by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Memphis) and sound design by Gareth Owen (A Little Night Music). Music Director is Charles Prince (James Joyce's The Dead).

PARADISE FOUND is being produced at The Menier Chocolate Factory by special arrangement with New York producers Jeff Berger, Apples and Oranges Productions/Tim Kashani and Pamela Winslow Kashani, Tony Ponturo, Andy Sandberg and Whitney Hoagland Edwards.

Based on a true story, the highly comic and romantic musical PARADISE FOUND is befitting of an Arabian Nights tale. It all starts with the Shah of Persia, who is feeling low. To lift his spirits, he's off to Vienna with his Eunuch in tow for new adventures. The Shah promptly falls in love with the Empress of the Empire, much to the dismay of her husband, so a resident of the local brothel - who is a double for the Empress - is substituted for a night of passion. But she's in love with a Baron, who's having an affair with the Soap Manufacturer's Wife...

For tickets and information, visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com/paradise_found or call the Menier Box Office in London at 020-7907-7060.