EPISODE · May 5, 2008 · 1H 1M
Harold Prince (#200) - May, 2008
from ATW - Downstage Center · host American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio
Legendary producer and director Harold Prince, recipient of numerous Tonys in both roles ranging from "Fiorello!" to "The Phantom of the Opera", surveys his career from his start in 1948 working for another legendary theatrical figure, George Abbott, to his newest project, the musical Paradise Found, which was presented in a workshop in New York just last week. Over the course an hour, Prince talks about trends in the theatre and what has changed, both for better and worse; recalls working as a stage manager on the first show he produced, The Pajama Game, so that he could collect a salary; describes his personal impact on the development of West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof, which he produced; reflects on his creative partnership and friendship with composer Stephen Sondheim, including how he got a handle on Sweeney Todd; explains his role in transforming Evita from a concept album to a stage musical; ponders the period in the 1980s when he had a string of commercially unsuccessful shows -- and which of those he feels is under-appreciated; marvels at the 22-year run of The Phantom of the Opera; and shares his thoughts about seeing revivals of musicals that he was so instrumental in creating.
What this episode covers
Legendary producer and director Harold Prince, recipient of numerous Tonys in both roles ranging from "Fiorello!" to "The Phantom of the Opera", surveys his career from his start in 1948 working for another legendary theatrical figure, George Abbott, to his newest project, the musical Paradise Found, which was presented in a workshop in New York just last week. Over the course an hour, Prince talks about trends in the theatre and what has changed, both for better and worse; recalls working as a stage manager on the first show he produced, The Pajama Game, so that he could collect a salary; describes his personal impact on the development of West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof, which he produced; reflects on his creative partnership and friendship with composer Stephen Sondheim, including how he got a handle on Sweeney Todd; explains his role in transforming Evita from a concept album to a stage musical; ponders the period in the 1980s when he had a string of commercially unsuccessful shows -- and which of those he feels is under-appreciated; marvels at the 22-year run of The Phantom of the Opera; and shares his thoughts about seeing revivals of musicals that he was so instrumental in creating.
NOW PLAYING
Harold Prince (#200) - May, 2008
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.