Paradise Found Harold Prince to direct new musical

The New York Post reports that Harold Prince will direct the new musical Paradise Found, music by Johann Strauss II and Jonathan Tunick, with lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, and a libretto by Richard Nelson, inspired by Joseph Roth's Vienna-set novel, 'The Tale of the 1002nd Night.'

Paradise Found is set in 1870's Vienna and tells the story of the shah of Persia's infatuation with an Austrian countess.

Prince told the New York Post that though the show features the music of Johann Strauss II "there will be waltzes but no waltzing!"

Paradise Found had a reading in Manhattan earlier this year, co-directed by Harold Prince and Susan Stroman, which featured Shuler Hensley, Rebecca Luker, Darius de Haas and John Cullum.

New York Post reports that the Broadway production will star Mandy Patinkin, John Cullum, Judy Kaye and Shuler Hensley, and will begin rehearsals next year.

Harold Prince has won a total of 15 Tony Awards, with 8 of those Tony's presented for Best Director of a musical: 'Show Boat' (1995), The Phantom of the Opera (1988), 'Evita' (1980), 'Sweeney Todd' (1979), 'Candide' (1974), 'Follies' (1972), 'Company' (1971), 'Cabaret' (1967). In 2006 Prince was presented a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.

There has been no official announcement about this production.