The production made its world premiere Oct. 23 at Tokyu Theatre Orb in Tokyo, playing through Nov. 22. Performances began at the Umeda Arts Theatre Nov. 28.
The cast includes Emily Skinner, Tony Yazbeck, Josh Grisetti, Shuler Hensley, Ramin Karimloo, Nancy Opel, Bryonha Marie Parham, Mariand Torres, Kaley Ann Voorhees and Reon Yuzuki. The understudies are Eric Van Tielen and Erin Clemons.
Hal Prince On Prince of Broadway, Pop Music, the Future of Theatre and Getting "Lucky"
Prince of Broadway, which features words and music from many of the shows that have earned Prince a record 21 Tony Awards, has a book by two-time Tony Award nominee David Thompson, co-direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, musical supervision and arrangements by three-time Tony-winner Jason Robert Brown and direction by Prince.
Prince of Broadway, according to press notes, looks "at the circumstances and fortune, both good and bad, that led to Hal Prince creating some of the most enduring and beloved theatre of all time, including The Pajama Game, West Side Story, Fiorello!, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Evita, and The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history."
Prince previously commented, "The idea for Prince of Broadway was brought me to me some years ago and, a tad reluctantly, I agreed to consider the notion of a compendium show featuring material from the 34 musicals I directed and/or produced on Broadway. Subsequently, I asked Susan Stroman to choreograph and co-direct with me because so much of the material will require inspired movement. I have come to the conclusion that I don’t want to reproduce verbatim what I staged in the original productions. Instead, I plan to re-think each segment and direct it as I would today, possibly having learned more about what I’m doing in the subsequent years. Finally, I’ve asked Jason Robert Brown, a choice composer with whom I’ve worked before (Parade) to orchestrate the show, write connective musical material, and create a brand-new number for the finale. After all, my career is just a blip on the theatre screen and there will be a rich future."
The production also has set design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Sonoyo Nishikawa and sound design by Koichi Yamamoto. Wig design is by Paul Huntley. Musical director is Fred Lassen. Casting is by Tara Rubin.
Rehearsals for the production were held in New York.
