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Hal Prince Headshot

Hal Prince

Also Credited As: Harold Smith Prince

Date of Death: July 31, 2019 (91)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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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.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

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

Productions

 
[Broadway, 1953]
Stage Manager

Videos

News


New Broadway Mystery Novel, The Sound of Murder, Now Available For Pre-order
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2025

The new musical theatre-themed mystery novel, The Sound of Murder, is now available for pre-order at major online booksellers. Upcoming April 3rd release, as paperback and eBook.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Returns To Chicago
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh has announced that a revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will play Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.
International Cast Of Eleven Selected As Finalists In 2025 Lotte Lenya Competition
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 19, 2025

The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music has named the eleven exceptional singing actors who will compete for a top prize of $25,000 in the final round of the twenty-seventh annual Lotte Lenya Competition, the internationally renowned theatrical singing contest.
THE BALLAD OF KING HENRY Comes to PCS Theater
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2025

PCS Theater will stage the world premiere of The Ballad of King Henry, a folk music adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV Part I beginning this month. Learn more here.
HIRSCHFELD'S SONDHEIM Poster Book Will Be Released This Year
by Stephi Wild - Mar 13, 2025

A new poster book titled Hirschfeld’s Sondheim will be released later this year.  For the first time ever, Al Hirschfeld’s art of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals will be made available, packaged in an oversized removable poster book.
Meet the Cast of SMASH, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2025

The musical Smash, inspired by the hit NBC television series, will begin previews tonight, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and officially open Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. Meet the cast here!
Exploring Theater Events: Musicals, Plays, Operas, and More
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 4, 2025

Discover the rich tapestry of theatrical performances, from classic plays and musicals to operas and ballets, as we delve into the evolution and variety of theater events that captivate audiences worldwide.
Broadhurst Theatre to Dim Lights in Honor of Linda Lavin
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2025

Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, where Linda Lavin played in Broadway Bound, will dim its lights in March in her honor. Learn more about the life and career of Linda Lavin.
Comprehensive Guide to Broadway Actors in CBS's Hit Series ELSBETH
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 24, 2025

With more than twenty episodes having aired so far across its two seasons, BroadwayWorld has put together an exhaustive list of all the Broadway stars we could find who have appeared in CBS' Elsbeth.
The Discovery Orchestra To Present Special Black History Month Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 18, 2025

The Discovery Orchestra (TDO), the Emmy Award-nominated and Telly Award-winning orchestra, which has introduced millions around the world to the rewards of classical music listening through its Discovery Concerts, has joined forces with the Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble (MORE Opera) to present a special Black History Month performance this month.
New French-Language PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Film in the Works
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 7, 2025

A French-language adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera will soon begin production, with a cast that includes Deva Cassel, Julien De Saint Jean, and Romain Duris. The movie is aimed at younger audiences, with the Twilight franchise serving as its inspiration. 
Davis Gaines Brings LOVE IS IN THE AIR to the Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Feb 5, 2025

Davis Gaines in a rare New York appearance, will perform a special show for Valentine's Day, “Love is in the Air” a romantic evening of love songs! Learn more about the upcoming show here!
Photos: ROAD SHOW In Rehearsal At freeFALL
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2025

See photos from inside rehearsal for Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s much-traveled musical Road Show, directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis. The show is the fifth Sondheim musical produced by the company.
Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 2, 2025

This time, the reader question was: Other than Old Friends, what are the other Sondheim revues and what makes them different? This marks the theatre world’s fifth major Sondheim revue and the first since the theatre legend passed away in 2021. 
Linda Lavin to Be Written Out of MID-CENTURY MODERN with Farewell Episode
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2025

Max Mutchnick, co-creator of Mid-Century Modern, took to Instagram on Friday to share how the late Linda Lavin will be written out of the new Hulu sitcom. 
Cast Set For FreeFall's Production of Sondheim and Weidman's ROAD SHOW
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s much-traveled musical Road Show is directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis and is the fifth Sondheim musical produced by the company.
Cast Set For HENRY IV at Theatre For a New Audience
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2025

Henry IV will open at Theatre For a New Audience this month. Learn more about the show and the full cast for the production and find out how to get tickets here!
Stage and Screen Star Linda Lavin Dies at 87
by Stephi Wild - Dec 30, 2024

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Broadway veteran Linda Lavin has died at age 87, following complications from lung cancer. Read Linda Lavin's obituary here.
Video: Broadway at the Kennedy Center Honors
by Sidney Paterra - Dec 22, 2024

The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors are coming up and we are celebrating the special occasion with some of our favorite videos of past Broadway performances. Check out the full list!
All Roads Theatre Company To Present ONE FOR MY BABY World Premiere And More At El Portal Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 19, 2024

All Roads Theatre Company has announced its inaugural season at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, beginning with the World Premiere Musical ONE FOR MY BABY, with a score by the incomparable Harold Arlen and headlined by Broadway stars LANA GORDON and LUBA MASON.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Hal Prince been in?

Hal Prince has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Hal Prince been in?

Hal Prince has not appeared in the West End

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