Harold Prince: From Pajama Game to Phantom of the Opera (Theater and Dramatic Studies) - Softcover

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The subtitle of this book reveals the greatness of the career of Hal Prince, whose dominance in the American musical theater from "Me Pajama Game" (1954) to "Me Phantom of the Opera7 (1986) has made him the most esteemed producer/director/ collaborator over the last four decades. Between the above named musicals, he was associated with other hits, including "Damn Yankees" (1955), "West Side Story" (1957), "Fiddler on the Roof' (1964), "Cabaret!' (1966), a succession of Sondheirn vehicles from "Company" (1970) to "Sweeney Todd" (1979), and the Webber/Rice "Evita" (1979). The detailed index of this book reads like a history of contemporary Broadway. The concept of "musical" that integrates text with performance was perfected by Prince, although there were precursors in works like Joshua Logan's "South Pacific" (1949). Dr. Carol Ilson, who had her own career in theater as a dancer and actress, also taught theater for many years at Queens College, besides directing Off-Broadway plays. She has written a highly readable, definitive analysis that will delight theatergoers and instruct theater students. Her thorough bibliography lists not only hundreds of books and articles that she consulted, but more than thirty interviews with associates of Prince, liner notes of record albums, and videotapes of productions. Prince has won more Tony Awards than any other person, and Ilson documents not only the glow of success when a show opens, but the hard work involved with casting, scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, and especially-financing. Public and academic libraries will both find readers for this major theatrical history. -- From Independent Publisher