Full Cast Announced For PARADISE FOUND, Joining Patinkin, Opel, Hensley

Harold Prince and Susan Stroman will direct an all-American cast in the world premiere of Paradise Found at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Based on the novel The Tale of the 1002nd Night by Viennese author Joseph Roth, Paradise Found previews from 19 May. With music by Johann Strauss II, adapted and arranged by Jonathan Tunick, Paradise Found has book by Richard Nelson and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh. The production will run until 26 June. Set design is by Beowulf Boritt, with costumes designed by Judy Dolan, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Gareth Owen.

The cast is George Lee Andrews, Kate Baldwin, Shuler Hensley, Judy Kaye, Lacey Kohl, Herndon Lackey, Pamela Winslow Kashani, Amanda Kloots-Larsen, Daniel Marcus, John McMartin, Nancy Opel, Mandy Patinkin, Jim Poulos and Martin Van Treuren.

Mandy Patinkin, who is making his London acting debut, was last seen in London at the Duke of York's Theatre in 2009 with his one-man show, Mandy Patinkin in Concert. He made his Broadway debut as Che in Evita, winning a Tony Award. His other Broadway credits include Sunday in the Park with George, Mandy Patinkin in Concert, The Secret Garden, The Wild Party, Hamlet and Mamaloshen. For his role in the television series Chicago Hope he won an Emmy Award. His other television credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Broken Glass and Criminal Minds. His many film credits include Ragtime, Yentl, The Princess Bride, Dick Tracy, Alien Nation and The House on Carroll Street. His extensive recording credits include Follies, South Pacific, Mandy Patinkin, Oscar & Steve, Leonard Bernstein's New York and Mandy Patinkin Sings Sondheim.

George Lee Andrews was an original cast member of the Broadway production The Phantom of the Opera and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the record-holder for the performer with the longest time in one Broadway show. Other Broadway credits include A Little Night Music, On the Twentieth Century, Merlin and Sondheim: A Musical Tribute. His television credits include Sondheim Gala: A Celebration of Carnegie Hall's 200th Year and New York City Opera's A Little Night Music.

Kate Baldwin starred most recently in the critically-acclaimed Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow. She's also appeared in the Broadway casts of The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wonderful Town. Her concert work includes several appearances with Stephen Sondheim as a featured performer in his evening, A Conversation with Stephen Sondheim. Her debut album on PS Classics Let's See What Happens features Lane and Harburg songs from both stage and feature films.

Shuler Hensley's most recent Broadway credits include The Monster in Young Frankenstein, Kerchak in Tarzan, Jud Fry in Oklahoma! and Javert in Les Misérables. For his performance in Oklahoma! he won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. His numerous screen credits include The Legend of Zorro, Van Helsing, Sabrina and Someone Like You. TV work includes Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Intent and The Jury.

Judy Kaye was most recently seen on Broadway in Sweeney Todd as Mrs. Lovett, a role she previously performed at Paper Mill Playhouse and in London. Other Broadway credits include Souvenir, Mamma Mia! On the Twentieth Century and Ragtime. She won a Tony Award for her performance as Carlotta in the New York production of The Phantom of the Opera.

John McMartin's more recent Broadway credits include Grey Gardens and Into the Woods. Other Broadway credits include High Society, Showboat, Follies, Don Juan, for which he won the Drama Desk Outstanding Performance Award, and the original Broadway production of Sweet Charity. His many films include Sweet Charity, All the President's Men, Legal Eagles, Pennies from Heaven, Native Son and The Dish. TV includes Oz, Tales from the City and the Emmy Award-winning specials Murrow, Separate but Equal and Concealed Enemies.

Nancy Opel most recently starred Off-Broadway in the premiere of the new musical Toxic Avenge. She received a Tony Award nomination for creating the role of Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown. Her other Broadway credits include Triumph of Love, Anything Goes, Sunday in the Park with George, Teddy and Alice and Evita. Her TV credits include Law & Order: C.I., whilst her film credits include Marci X, The Ice Storm and Second Skin.

Theatre Director and Producer Harold Prince directed the original productions of the musicals Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, She Loves Me, Company, Follies, Pacific Overtures, Evita, Parade and Bounce. Before becoming a Director, Prince's productions as a Producer included; The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello! and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As a Director, his plays include Hollywood Arms, The Visit, The Great God Brown, End of the World, Play Memory and his own play, Grandchild of Kings. His opera productions have been seen at Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Vienna Staatsoper and the Theater Colon in Buenos Aires. He is the recipient of a record-breaking 21 Tony Awards.

Director and Choreographer Susan Stroman is the winner of two Olivier Awards for Best Choreography for the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma! and the West End production of Crazy for You. Her other West End productions include Contact (which she originally co-created, directed and choreographed for Lincoln Center Theater, winning the Tony and Emmy awards) and Show Boat as well as The Producers, which won a record 12 Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography. Her other Broadway credits include; Crazy for You, Show Boat, Oklahoma!, Young Frankenstein, The Frogs, The Music Man, Thou Shalt Not, Steel Pier, Big and Picnic. Stroman created Double Feature, a full-length ballet for New York City Ballet featuring the music of Irving Berlin and Walter Donaldson, as well as ballets Blossom Got Kissed for New York City Ballet's 50th Anniversary season, But Not for Me for the Martha Graham Company and Take Five...More or Less. Her choreography received an Emmy nomination for the HBO presentation Liza - Live at Radio City Music Hall, starring Liza Minnelli. Other TV credits include co-conceiver/ choreographer for PBS's Sondheim - a Celebration at Carnegie Hall, An Evening with the Boston Pops - a Tribute to Leonard Bernstein, and the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors. She received the American Choreography Award for her work in the feature film Center Stage, and she directed and choreographed The Producers: The Movie Musical. Most recently Stroman directed and choreographed the new musical The Scottsboro Boys for the Vineyard Theater. She is the recipient of the George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Theatre.

Paradise Found follows the exploits of the Shah of Persia who is feeling low. So to lift his spirits he's off to Vienna with his Eunuch in tow for some new adventures. He 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....

 

 

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