The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's original and longest-running professional theatre company, follows its successful run of Next to Normal with an imaginative take on the Stephen Schwartz/Bob Fosse extravaganza, Pippin. The production will run from July 6th through the 28th at the theatre's iconic namesake venue in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tenn.
Originally directed for Broadway by Bob Fosse and boasting an energetic, pop-influenced score by Stephen Schwartz (the composer and lyricist behind Wicked and Godspell) Pippin spins its tale around the little-known son of Charlemagne, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. While his father is clearly destined for historical greatness, the melancholy Pippin (played by BRT newcomer Josh Lowery) is still searching for his own purpose in life. Steered by the mysterious Leading Player (Billy Ditty) and accompanied by his band of vaudeville-inspired performers, Pippin explores everything from military service and political intrigue to hazy hedonism on his way to discovering his own path. "Pippin has some very interesting things to say about our own times - materialism, celebrity, family, war," says director Paul Cook. "But by giving it the veil of 'Hey Kids, let's put on a show', it gives the audience a safe bit of distance from which to observe and question. It also does some of the same things that the other great Fosse show - Chicago - does: It takes conventions of musical theatre, and turns them on their ear. It makes a definite statement when you use the trappings of vaudeville and musical comedy to present stories about war, death, and murderers."Videos