Photo Coverage: PARADISE FOUND Meets the Press!
By: Peter James Zielinski Apr. 06, 2010
Rehearsals begin yesterday, Monday, April 5 for the World Premiere production of PARADISE FOUND, a new musical under the combined direction of Theater legend and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince (the original productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Company, Follies, Evita) and 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy For You, Show Boat, The Producers, Contact). This is their first collaboration since the landmark, Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat. Following the New York rehearsal period, the production will open at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory with performances running May 19 through June 26. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the introductory event!
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.
Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski
Susan Stroman and Beowulf Boritt
Hal Prince with the cast and crew of PARADISE FOUND
Beowulf Boritt and Hal Prince address the Crowd
Mandy Patinkin, Kate Baldwin, Nancy Opel and John McMartin
Mandy Patinkin, Kate Baldwin, Nancy Opel and John McMartin
Judy Kaye, Mandy Patinkin, and Kate Baldwin
Nicholas Archer
Nicholas Archer and Charles Prince
Hal Prince with the cast and crew of PARADISE FOUND
Hal Prince with the cast and crew of PARADISE FOUND
Jim Poulos, Herndon Lackey, Lacey Kohl and Amanda Kloots-Larsen
Lacey Kohl and Amanda Kloots-Larsen
Nancy Opel, Kate Baldwin, and Mandy Patinkin
Pamela Winslow Kashani
Lacey Kohl and Pamela Winslow Kashani
Kate Baldwin and Pamela Winslow Kashani
Judith Dolan, Kate Baldwin and Judy Kaye
George Lee Andrews, Kate Baldwin, Nancy Opel, Mandy Patinkin, Judy Kaye, Schuler Hensley and John McMartin
George Lee Andrews, Kate Baldwin, Nancy Opel, Hal Prince, Mandy Patinkin, Susan Stroman, Judy Kaye, Schuler Hensley and John McMartin
George Lee Andrews and Nancy Opel
Pamela Winslow Kashani, Lacey Kohl and Amanda Kloots-Larsen
Martin Van Treuren, Herndon Lackey, Jim Poulos and Daniel Marcus
Richard Nelson and Jonathan Tunick
David Krane, Jonathan Tunick, Charles Prince and Nicholas Archer
Tim Kashani, Tony Ponturo, Jeff Berger, Hal Prince, Andy Sandberg and Menier Chocolate Factory Artistic Director David Babani
Jonathan Tunick, Ellen Fitzhugh and Richard Nelson
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