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Harold Prince

Also Credited As: Harold S. Prince

Date of Death: July 31, 2019 (91)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Harold S. Prince (b. New York City, NY, 30 January 1928), also known as “Hal” Prince, was a theater producer and director who made a significant contribution to Broadway musicals in America. In a career that spanned 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 the 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. His Fiddler on the Roof (1964) enjoyed enormous success with a record-breaking run of over three thousand performances between 1964 and 1972. Meanwhile, Prince also took on the role of director. Many of the most popular musicals of the following decades were created under his direction, 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 has made a number of movie adaptations (Damn Yankees 1958, A Little Night Music 1977), and directed for television (Candide 1986). In addition, he has served as a trustee for the New York Public Library and on the National Council of the Arts of the National Education Association.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Children And Art
[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer
Sondheim: A Musical Tribute
[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1973
Special Guest

Productions

ParadeParade
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Co-Conceived
The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera
 
[West End, 2021]
Director
Prince of BroadwayPrince of Broadway
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
CandideCandide
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
Paradise FoundParadise Found
 
[West End, 2010]
Director
A Little Night MusicA Little Night Music
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Producer
Director
LoveMusikLoveMusik
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Director
Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular
 
[Las Vegas, 2006]
Director
Evita
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Production Supervisor
Flight of the Lawnchair Man
 
[New York, 2003]
Director
Bounce
 
[Regional (US), 2003]
Director
Hollywood Arms
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Director
Producer
Parade
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
Show Boat
 
[West End, 1998]
Director
Show Boat
 
[Australia, 1998]
Director
Candide
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
Whistle Down The Wind
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Director
The Petrified Prince
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Director
Show Boat
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
Kiss of the Spider Woman
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Director
Kiss of the Spider Woman
 
[West End, 1992]
Director
The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera
 
[Broadway, 1988]
Director
Cabaret
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Director
Roza
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Director
Roza
 
[Regional (US), 1986]
Director
Grind
 
[Broadway, 1985]
Director
Producer
Diamonds
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Director
Sweeney Todd
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Director
Sweeney Todd
 
[Regional (US), 1984]
Director
End of the World
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Director
Play Memory
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Director
A Doll's Life
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Producer
Director
Sweeney Todd
 
[US Tour, 1982]
Director
Merrily We Roll Along
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Director
Producer
Sweeney Todd
 
[US Tour, 1980]
Director
Sweeney Todd
 
[West End, 1980]
Director
On the Twentieth Century
 
[West End, 1980]
Director
Evita
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Director
On the Twentieth Century
 
[US Tour, 1979]
Director
Sweeney Todd
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Director
Evita
 
[West End, 1978]
Director
Side by Side by Sondheim
 
[US Tour, 1978]
Producer
On the Twentieth Century
 
[Broadway, 1978]
Director
Side by Side by Sondheim
 
[Chicago, 1977]
Producer
Some of My Best Friends
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Director
Side by Side by Sondheim
 
[Broadway, 1977]
Producer
Pacific Overtures
 
[US Tour, 1976]
Producer
Director
Pacific Overtures
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Director
Producer
A Little Night Music
 
[West End, 1975]
Director
Love for Love
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Director
Candide
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Producer
Director
A Little Night Music
 
[US Tour, 1974]
Producer
Director
The Visit
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Director
A Little Night Music
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Director
Producer
The Great God Brown
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Director
Follies
 
[US Tour, 1972]
Producer
Director
Company
 
[West End, 1972]
Producer
Director
Company
 
[US Tour, 1971]
Producer
Director
Follies
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Director
Producer
Company
 
[Broadway, 1970]
Director
Producer
Zorba
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Director
Producer
The Beggar's Opera
 
[West End, 1968]
Producer
Cabaret
 
[West End, 1968]
Producer
Director
Fiddler on the Roof
 
[West End, 1967]
Producer
Cabaret
 
[US Tour, 1967]
Producer
Director
Cabaret
 
[Broadway, 1966]
Director
Producer
It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman
 
[Broadway, 1966]
Director
Producer
Flora, the Red Menace
 
[Broadway, 1965]
Producer
Baker Street
 
[Broadway, 1965]
Director
Poor Bitos
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Producer
Fiddler on the Roof
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Producer
She Loves Me
 
[West End, 1964]
Producer
Director
She Loves Me
 
[Broadway, 1963]
Director
Producer
A Family Affair
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Director
Call Me Madam
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Assistant Stage Manager
The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera
 
[West End, ]
Original Director

Writing

Parade
Source Material

Movies

Damn Yankees
[ 1958 ] producer
Fiddler on the Roof
[ 1971 ] producer

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - The Harold Prince Award

Hal Prince

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Harold Prince, LoveMusik


winner
Tony Awards - 2006 - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Harold Prince

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Parade


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Harold PrinceShowboat


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Harold PrinceShowboat


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1995 - Best Director - Musical

Harold Prince, Show Boat


winner
Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Show Boat

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Director of a Musical

Harold Prince, Kiss Of The Spider Woman

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Helen Hayes Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Harold PrinceThe Phantom of the Opera

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1992 - Best Director

Harold Prince - Grandchild of Kings

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Harold Prince, Phantom of the Opera

Helen Hayes Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Harold PrinceCabaret


winner
Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince , The Phantom of the Opera

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Harold Prince, Cabaret

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince , Grind

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Musical

Harold Prince, Grind


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1980 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Harold Prince, Evita


winner
Tony Awards - 1980 - Best Costume Design

Harold Prince, Evita


winner
Tony Awards - 1980 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Evita


winner
Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Sweeney Todd

Olivier Awards - 1978 - Director of the Year

Harold Prince, Evita

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, On the Twentieth Century

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Musical

Harold Prince, Side by Side by Sondheim

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Harold Prince, Pacific Overtures

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Musical

Harold Prince, Pacific Overtures


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1974 - Outstanding Director

Harold Prince, The Visit


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1974 - Outstanding Director

Harold Prince, Candide


winner
Obie Awards - 1974 - Distinguished Direction

Harold PrinceCandide


winner
Tony Awards - 1974 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Candide


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Director

Harold Prince, A Little Night Music


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Director

Harold Prince, The Great God Brown

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, A Little Night Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Musical

Harold Prince, A Little Night Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince , Follies


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Director

Harold Prince, Follies


winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Company


winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Musical

Harold Prince, Company


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Director

Harold Prince, Company

Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Zorba


winner
Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, Cabaret


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Producer (Musical)

Harold Prince, Fiddler on the Roof

Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Direction of a Musical

Harold Prince, She Loves Me

Tony Awards - 1964 - Producer (Musical)

Harold Prince, She Loves Me


winner
Tony Awards - 1963 - Producer (Musical)

Harold Prince, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Harold Prince been in?

Harold Prince has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Harold Prince been in?

Harold Prince has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Harold Prince been nominated for?

Harold Prince has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include the Harold Prince Award for Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for LoveMusik, the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Parade, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director - Musical for Showboat, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Director - Musical for Show Boat, the Olivier Award for Best Director of a Musical for Kiss Of The Spider Woman, and the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for Kiss of the Spider Woman. He has also been nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production for The Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Director for Grandchild of Kings, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director - Musical for Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for The Phantom of the Opera, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Grind, and the Tony Award for Best Musical for Grind. Other nominations include the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical for Evita, the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for Evita, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Evita, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Sweeney Todd, the Olivier Award for Director of the Year for Evita, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for On the Twentieth Century, the Tony Award for Best Musical for Side by Side by Sondheim, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director - Musical for Pacific Overtures, and the Tony Award for Best Musical for Pacific Overtures. He has also been nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director for The Visit and Candide, the Obie Award for Distinguished Direction for Candide, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Candide, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director for A Little Night Music and The Great God Brown, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for A Little Night Music, the Tony Award for Best Musical for A Little Night Music, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Follies, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director for Follies, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Company, the Tony Award for Best Musical for Company, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director for Company, the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Zorba and Cabaret, and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for She Loves Me. Additionally, he has received nominations for the Tony Award for Producer (Musical) for Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

What awards has Harold Prince won?

Harold Prince has won several awards throughout his career in the theater industry. Some of the notable awards he has received include the Harold Prince Award at the Drama Desk Awards, the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the Tony Awards, and the Outstanding Director - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on Showboat. He has also won awards for his direction of other musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Sweeney Todd, and A Little Night Music. In addition, he has received recognition for his work as a producer on shows like Fiddler on the Roof and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Harold Prince's contributions to the theater industry have been widely celebrated and acknowledged through these awards and honors.

How many shows has Harold Prince written?

Harold Prince has written 1 shows including Parade (Source Material).

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