It seemed a little overambitious, even for a Broadway legend. Hal Prince, 87, was going to direct a new musical, based on the movie “The Band’s Visit,” off Broadway this fall.
Now comes word that Prince can’t do it for “scheduling conflict” reasons. David Cromer is taking over when the musical comes to the Atlantic Theater Company on West 20th St.
Prince did just direct a “greatest hits” show of his career highlights in Japan this past November and December. “The Prince of Broadway” was a huge hit, and may come to the real Broadway this year. It featured choreography by the great Susan Stroman, who re-created Jerome Robbins’ great works that accompanied Prince musicals. Featured players were Josh Grisetti, Shuler Hensley, Ramin Karimloo, Nancy Opel, Emily Skinner, and Tony Yazbeck.
Prince can do whatever he likes. He has a record 21 Tony Awards and a resume that no one will ever equal. He’s a double threat producer-director whose name is on everything from the original West Side Story to Fiddler on the Roof to Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Phantom of the Opera– you name it. Maybe he needs a rest!
