Hal Prince to Premiere “Paradise Found” Musical

Strong rumour has it that the Broadway legend Hal Prince is returning to London’s West End in 2010 to direct the world premiere of “Paradise Found” at the tiny 150 seater Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark where it will run for seven weeks before transferring across the pond to New York

The musical is based on the 1939 novel “The Tale of the 1002nd Night” by Joseph Roth.The story line is set during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, centring on the Shah of Iran.He already has 139 wives, but apparently that is not enough as he falls in love with the empress. The musical’s book is by Richard Nelson with lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, and is set to music by Strauss, adapted by Jonathan Tunick.

Other members of Prince’s creative team include Susan Stroman who is another Broadway legend, with John Cullum and Mandy Patinkin set to star as the Shah and his eunuch.