Broadway dims its lights in memory of Harold Prince

The 21-time Tony Award-winning Broadway legend died on July 31, 2019, at the age of 91.

Last night, in accordance with The Broadway League, the Broadway theatres dimmed their marquee lights in memory of the legendary 21-time Tony Award-winning Broadway director/producer Harold Prince.

Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League commented: "Harold Prince, a former Chairman of the Board of the Broadway League, was devoted to the theatre and cared deeply about all aspects of the business. His passion, creativity, and unparalleled standards gave life to so many of the shows we now consider Broadway classics. He was famous for his remarkable artistic collaborations, but what some may not realize was his extraordinary commitment to mentoring the next generation of industry professionals and ensuring the future of Broadway."

Mr. Prince was born in New York City on January 30, 1928 and passed away in Reykjavík, Iceland on July 31, 2019, at the age of 91, after a brief illness.

One of the most prolific directors in Broadway history, Hal Prince received a Special Tony Award for "Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre" back in 2006. Over the span of his entire career as both a director and a producer, he received an astonishing total of 21 Tony Awards, including notable wins in the category of "Best Direction of a Musical" for Show Boat (1995), The Phantom of the Opera (1988), Evita (1980), Sweeney Todd (1979), Candide (1974), Follies (1972), Company (1971) and Cabaret (1967).

As a producer, he was responsible for such Tony Award-winning "Best Musicals" as A Little Night Music (1973), Fiddler on the Roof (1965), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1963), Fiorello! (1960), Damn Yankees (1956), and The Pajama Game (1955), among others.

He last worked on the Great White Way, directing Prince of Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre from August through October 2017, compiling musical numbers from many of his iconic Broadway hits.

Mr. Prince is remembered by his wife of 56 years, Judy; as well as his daughter, Daisy; his son, Charles; and his grandchildren, Phoebe, Lucy, and Felix. As per Mr. Prince's wishes, there will be no funeral but instead there will be a celebration of his life this fall with the people he loved most, the members of the theatrical community that he was a part of for seven decades.

Rest In Peace, Harold Prince.

Read our feature on the reactions from Hal's friends and colleagues in the theatre community here.