''Paradise Found'' is a musical based on the

Joseph Roth Moses Joseph Roth (2 September 1894 – 27 May 1939) was an Austrian journalist and novelist, best known for his family saga ''Radetzky March'' (1932), about the decline and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, his novel of Jewish life ''Job'' ( ...

novel '' Die Geschichte von der 1002. Nacht'' (''The Tale of the 1002nd Night''). The musical's book is by Richard Nelson, with lyrics by

Ellen Fitzhugh Ellen Fitzhugh is an American musical theatre lyricist and librettist. She is most notable for lyrics to the Broadway musical ''Grind'', for which she was nominated for the 1985 Tony Award for Best Original Score. Other musicals include ''Herringb ...

set to the music of

Johann Strauss II Johann Baptist Strauss II (25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger or the Son (german: links=no, Sohn), was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed ov ...

. It premiered in 2010 at London's

Menier Chocolate Factory The Menier Chocolate Factory is a 180-seat off-West End theatre, which comprises a restaurant, bar and rehearsal rooms. It is located in a former 1870s Menier Chocolate, Menier Chocolate Company factory at 53 Southwark Street, a major street in ...

in a production co-directed by

Hal Prince Harold Smith Prince (born Harold Smith; January 30, 1928 – July 31, 2019), commonly known as Hal Prince, was an American theatre director and producer known for his work in musical theatre. One of the foremost figures in 20th century America ...

and Susan Stroman.

Production history

In an interview, Hal Prince said that the musical would "center on a Middle Eastern ruler who travels to Vienna in search of romantic 'inspiration,' and the machinations that occur when he demands a rendezvous with a noblewoman who turns out to be the empress of Austria." It had been planned to bring the musical to

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

after its premiere in London. Early readings featured

John Cullum John Cullum (born circa 1930) is an American actor and singer. He has appeared in many stage musicals and dramas, including '' Shenandoah'' (1975) and ''On the Twentieth Century'' (1978), winning the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Mus ...

Mandy Patinkin Mandel Bruce Patinkin (; born November 30, 1952) is an American actor and singer, known for his work in musical theatre, television and film. He is a critically acclaimed Broadway performer, having received three Tony Award nominations, winning ...

Shuler Hensley Shuler Paul Hensley (born March 6, 1967) is an American singer and actor. Early life Hensley was born in Atlanta, Georgia. The youngest of three children, Hensley grew up in Marietta, Georgia. His father, Sam P. Hensley Jr., is a former Georgia T ...

Judy Kaye Judy Kaye (born October 11, 1948) is an American singer and actress. She has appeared in stage musicals, plays, and operas. Kaye has been in long runs on Broadway in the musicals ''The Phantom of the Opera'', ''Ragtime'', '' Mamma Mia!'', and ...

, Emily Skinner,

Rebecca Luker Rebecca Luker (April 17, 1961 – December 23, 2020) was an American actress, singer, and recording artist, noted for her "crystal clear operatic soprano" and for maintaining long runs in Broadway musicals over the course of her three-decade-lo ...

and

Kate Baldwin Katherine Baldwin (born May 2, 1975) is an American singer and actress known for her work in musical theater. She received a Tony Award nomination for her work in the 2009 Broadway revival of ''Finian's Rainbow''. She also co-starred opposite Bet ...

. ''Paradise Found'' opened in London on May 26, 2010, after previews starting on May 19, at the Menier Chocolate Factory and closed on June 26. The musical was directed by Prince and Susan Stroman (who also choreographed), with scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Judith Dolan and arrangements and orchestrations by

Jonathan Tunick Jonathan Tunick (born April 19, 1938, New York City) is an American orchestrator, musical director, and composer, and one of seventeen " EGOTs" - people to have won all four major American showbusiness awards: the Tony Awards, Academy Awards, Em ...

. The cast featured

John McMartin John Francis McMartin (August 21, 1929 – July 6, 2016) was an American actor of stage, film and television. Life and career McMartin was born in Warsaw, Indiana, on August 21, 1929, and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota. After graduating fro ...

as the Shah of Persia, Mandy Patinkin as a Eunuch, Shuler Hensley as the Baron, Judy Kaye as Frau Matzner and Kate Baldwin as Mizzi.

Songs

Source: ''CurtainUp'' ;Act 1 *Overture *Once and Now - Shah, Eunuch, Grand Vizier *Train Station - Company *Perfect Love - Eunuch, Girls *Feeling Good - Mizzi, the Baron *Ev'ry Little Bit - Soap Manufacturer's Wife, Eunuch, Customers *The Bat - Instrumental *Faces Like Flow'rs - Eunuch, Women, Men *Fanfare/Marziale Instrumental *Empress of Fantasy -The Baron, Eunuch *Without Desire - Eunuch, the Baron, Frau Matzner, Shah ;Act 2 *Never Better - Mizzi, the Baron, Eunuch, Frau Matzner *Save This Empire - General, Gossips, Women, the Emperor, Chorus *Feeling Good (Reprise) - Mizzi, the Baron *The Same Lovely Vienna - Customers *How Could You Know - Frau Matzner, Customers *What Are They? - Baron Mizzi *Ve Made Em-per-ess - Baron Trummer *Perfect Love (Reprise) - Eunuch, Wives *Finale **Without Desire - Eunuch, the Baron, Frau Matzner, Mizzi, Chorus **Feeling Good - Baron, Mizzi, Harem Women, Women, Men **Save This Empire - Company

Critical response

As reported by ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', critics "cited flaws in pretty much every aspect of the musical." The ''British Theatre Guide'' reviewer noted that "'Paradise Found' is a serviceable light comedy musical but with the talents available, many visitors might have hoped for an evening a little closer to Paradise."

Cast

2010 Menier Chocolate Factory Premiere * Shah of Persia:

* Eunuch:

* Baron:

* Frau Matzner:

* Mizzi:

* Grand Vizier:

George Lee Andrews George Lee Andrews (born October 13, 1942, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American actor and singer. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most performances in the same Broadway show, having appeared in the musical ''The Phantom of the Opera'' on ...

* Soap Manufacturer's Wife:

Nancy Opel Nancy Carol Opel (born December 13, 1956) is an American singer and actress, known primarily for her work on Broadway. She was nominated for the 2002 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the musical Urinetown. Early life and ...

* with Amanda Kloots-Larsen, Lacey Kohl, Herndon Lackey, Daniel Marcus, Jim Poulos, Martin Van Treuren, and Pamela Winslow Kashani

References

{{Reflist

External links

Listing, ''theatermania.com''
2010 musicals Musicals based on novels