Hal Prince has died - Page 2

[mamaleh]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 1:12pm

Dimming the lights would be the least Broadway could do for him. He definitely deserves a theater renamed for him. What a life, what a legacy he leaves behind.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 1:24pm

joevitus said: "It is odd that I'm thinking how painful this will be for Sondheim?The two were so close, I think Prince was Sondheim's closest friend, apart from Mary Rodgers. This has to be devastating for him.

"

Didn't they fall out both personally and professionally after Merrily We Roll Along?

[binau]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 1:28pm

poisonivy2 said: "joevitus said: "It is odd that I'm thinking how painful this will be for Sondheim?The two were so close, I think Prince was Sondheim's closest friend, apart from Mary Rodgers. This has to be devastating for him.

"

Didn't they fall out both personally and professionally after Merrily We Roll Along?"

Well they did work together again professionally with Bounce, so I can't imagine Merrily being the end of it all. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 1:34pm

poisonivy2 said: "joevitus said: "It is odd that I'm thinking how painful this will be for Sondheim?The two were so close, I think Prince was Sondheim's closest friend, apart from Mary Rodgers. This has to be devastating for him.

"

Didn't they fall out both personally and professionally after Merrily We Roll Along?"

No, they never fell out. The pain of the theater establishment's response made them break up professionally. They both said this was why they stopped working together, but that they never stopped being close friends. 

Updated On: 7/31/19 at 01:34 PM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 2:17pm

If my readings are correctly remembered, Sondheim was closer w Prince's wife Judy . I think it was just he obviously spent more time professionally w Harold .

The man had a great run professionally  and personally ( married to the same wife 2 normal kids) 

Thank you Prince Hal for everything you've given to the theatrical world.

RIP

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 2:17pm

They definitely remained friends. They both contributed to the other’s recent documentaries. And Hal usually attended the revivals of the Sondheim shows he originally directed.

I assume we will get a statement from Sondheim soon. He released one when Laurent’s passed away. Unfortunately, he didn’t release one when Elaine Stritch passed away. 

Updated On: 7/31/19 at 02:17 PM

[Evans2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 2:20pm

Had the pleasure of meeting him the first night of previews for Prince of Broadway. Could not have been nicer. I remember watching him hurry backstage at intermission and the end of the show. His excitement was obvious.  After so many years and so many shows, it was clear he still loved what he was doing. 

Thank you, Mr. Prince. Thank you for all you've given us.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 2:49pm

His book, Sense of Occasion is perhaps as impactful to the subject of concept directing as the famous A Director Prepares. He WAS Broadway and he truly changed the type of theatre being produced.

RIP to the greatest director of musicals of all time.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 2:59pm

Never met him but I know he was on the Board of Directors of The Irish rep. My family. He will be missed! How ever, what a ripe old age, what a legacy! We should all be so lucky!

 

[AADA81]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:40pm

Lights on Broadway will be dimmed for him tonight.  I'm glad this happened so quickly, as the theater community is surely in mourning over this.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:49pm

RIP, Prince of Broadway.

(One of my favorite Broadway performers, Tony Yazbeck, appeared in that show.)

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:54pm

Oof, the thread title was a tough thing to read.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 4:57pm

Have not been on here in a few years .I no longer attend for a variety of reasons. I had the pleasure of seeing a number of his shows. He was a true giant in the world of theater. A large void has now appears in the fabric that is Broadway  .As far as dimming the lights they should be off for a week to commemorate his life and condolences to his family  We shall never see his like again Rest quietly sweet Prince 

Updated On: 7/31/19 at 04:57 PM

[10086sunset]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 5:22pm

Nice to see you here, Roxy.

 

Mr Roxy said: "Have not been on here in a few years .I no longer attend for a variety of reasons. I had the pleasure of seeing a number of his shows. He was a true giant in the world of theater. A large void has now appears in the fabric that is Broadway .As far as dimming the lights they should be off for a week to commemorate his life and condolences to his family We shall never see his like again Rest quietly sweet Prince"

 

[ARTc3]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 6:40pm

I acknowledge his importance to Broadway. I was never a fan of him as a Director. I thought he was much better as a Producer. He was mostly smart in choosing collaborators, but I always felt the shows with his name attached were best served by the other creative talent associated with the project: an author, composer (Sondheim), performer, etc. I actually thought he was a rather dull Director often making less than inspired choices.

Okay, having typed this, I am sure I'm about to be crucified…

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 7:14pm

I mean, your opinion is your opinion, but...

maybe this thread on the day he died isn't the best place to share it.

[binau]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 7:21pm

ARTc3 said: "I acknowledge his importance to Broadway. I was never a fan of him as a Director. I thought he was much better as a Producer. He was mostly smart in choosing collaborators, but I always felt the shows with his name attached were best served by the other creative talent associated with the project:an author, composer (Sondheim), performer, etc. I actually thought he was a rather dull Director often making less than inspired choices.

Okay, having typed this, I am sure I'm about to be crucified…"

But the authors, composers, performers were so influenced by him. Without Hal many of these shows would not exist. It was Hal Prince that told Sondheim Send in the clowns should be sung by Desiree. Hal Prince basically wrote much of the book to Cabaret and got ALW and kander/ebb to rewrite their songs. He was a creative not just someone who staged written work. 

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 7:24pm

Just the other day I was thinking how fortunate we are to still have him, and now. No one living, except of course Sondheim, gave us so much.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 7:33pm

Mr Roxy said: "Have not been on here in a few years .I no longer attend for a variety of reasons. I had the pleasure of seeing a number of his shows. He was a true giant in the world of theater. A large void has now appears in the fabric that is Broadway .As far as dimming the lights they should be off for a week to commemorate his life and condolences to his family We shall never see his like again Rest quietly sweet Prince"

I couldn't agree more.  It is so nice to see you post, even if it is only for a brief moment; that said, the historic perspective you have always brought is greatly appreciated.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:11pm

Thanks. Kind words appreciated

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:17pm

How wonderful that he experienced good health and was given such a long life. RIP.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:21pm

I think it’s amazing he died while in Iceland apparently on vacation(?) at 91. That’s the way I want to go.

[rosheider]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:28pm

All the greats are leaving us one by one.  What will be left behind?

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:55pm

rosheider said: "All the greats are leaving us one by one. What will be left behind?"

Stephen Sondheim (knock on wood!). 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:33pm