Pippin previews start tomorrow- Page 14

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 6:59am

"Choreographed in the style of Fosse"

Chet Walker is the choreographer and was in the original ensemble of Pippin. The Trio is the exact choreo.

[peachesr82]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 7:21am

Okay, thanks, he was involved with the London production at the Menier if I remember correctly too. I think this might have leapt to the top of my 'to see' list when I'm over.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 7:27am

It's really wonderful, you won't be disappointed!

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 8:05am

I've never seen the Toronto video in full, only clips here and there, but Chet Walker uses more Fosse hands than...Fosse? Lots of throwbacks in there, but I'm not complaining

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 6:02pm

"does it still feel like there's a Fosse presence there?"

peaches, you're right to ask. If you're satisfied with the Fosse-lite choreography that the Chicago revival features, you may be very happy with the degree of Fosse-ness here. If you saw the original (or even the terrific 1981 DVD) and are hoping to see those dance moves intact you will be mostly disappointed.

For the 3 blessed minutes that Patina and her boys go into the Manson Trio (which is a true recreation of the original), the magic of the real thing is breathtaking and unmistakable. There is an enormous amount of heart and showbiz enjoyment to be had at this version of Pippin, but the live-wire sexy-electric snap of genuine Fosse choreography was still in too short supply for us.

Updated On: 4/20/13 at 06:02 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 8:10pm

That NY Times link breaking down the opening number is phenomenal!

[HoldThatThought]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 8:19pm

^ Yes, I enjoyed that too!

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/20/13 at 11:53pm

Caught this tonight and all I can say is WOW! That is what a revival should be. An improvement on the original and this is in every way shape and form an improvement on the original. Make the creators of the revival of Annie and Cinderella watch this ten times as a learning lesson in how to do a revival. Expanding the commdedia del arte idea and making it a circus gives the whole meaning of life thing a metaphor for magic. Patina Miller, an actress I did not care for in Sister Act, is fantastic. Her singing--her dancing--her emceeing is spot on!!! Kudos to her.
The entire cast in fact rocks from Matthew James Thomas as . Pippin to Andrea Martin as Berthe. I never heard fo Rachel Bay Jones but you will. Her Catherine was hilarious.

I usually trash most things I see but this is a must see. Run!!!
Kudos to Diane Paulus director /Chet Walker Choregrapher and Gypsy Snider for the Circus Stuff. What a collaboration!!

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 12:09am

I'm not sure if this was answered as thie board is way too long to get throught but I sat in Row M of the orchestra. It was a great seat

[lenstersf]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 10:13am

Just watched the Pippin: Broadway Montage video on youtube. For those interested, some changes from the run at the A.R.T.:
- Patina seems to be doing more intricate trapeze tricks
- New costume for Catherine...dress and tiara
- Patina's leather costume
- Fastrada's costumes all seem a little different...I think the flesh-colored one is new
- The female ensemble member doing splits on the red ribbons...pretty sure this wasn't in the show in Cambridge
- Real fire in the finale
- Blocking for "Morning Glow." Not sure if they changed things up for filming the montage, but in Cambridge, Pippin was crowned on the top of the high platforms.
- Also, not in the video, but I've read that there are now farm animals in "Extraordinary." In Cambridge, there were no farm animals...Pippin just spent the song climbing up and down the poles, and walking across the main set piece.

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/22/13 at 3:53pm

This is a question about the actual plot of the show, so:
******************SPOLIERS!!!!!!!! PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION*****************
We know the order of the throne is:
Charles
Pippin
Lewis
But who’s next? I’m assuming (and not to be sexist) that Fastrada can’t rule because she’s female. (Though maybe she can—I don’t know.) And when Pippin ran away, did he give up his spot, therefore making Lewis next in line? But if Pippin didn’t *technically* give up his royalness and still kept his place in line, and he married Catherine, would Theo fit in anywhere? It’s all theoretical, but I’m just curious.

[MusicalTheatreGeek2]

Posted: 4/22/13 at 4:27pm

****************SPOILER*************
Pippin removed the knife from his father and he came back to life didn't he?

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/22/13 at 4:48pm

***************SPOILER************************
Yes, but he still than ran away, and Charles can't live forever.

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/22/13 at 4:48pm

double post sorry

Updated On: 4/22/13 at 04:48 PM

[wls250]

Posted: 4/22/13 at 4:59pm

one of the best pieces of theatre I've ever seen. Loved it.

Posted: 4/28/13 at 12:57am

Just got home from seeing it tonight and had to add my raves for it. The most thrilling, funny, and viscerally entertaining night I've had in the theater in ages. I thought the cast was pitch-perfect from top to bottom.

Andrea Martin got the standing ovation after her big number and the reaction of the guy playing Pippin and the other cast in response was super cute.

For the record, my friend and I were total Pippin virgins (haven't even listened to any of the songs), which might be a good thing going into this production. We had no expectations and were thrilled by how good a time we had.

[canmark]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 12:54pm

Question: Does anyone know if there is an elevator at the Music Box theatre? I’m going to see Pippin next week and I’ve got seats in the second row mezzanine (last row orchestra was the other option, other than premium seats, but I read that the front mezz was good for this show). Due to a health issue I'm using a cane and want to know if I'll have to walk up to the mezzanine. Also, is there a restroom on the mezzanine level?

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 1:26pm

canmark,
The restrooms are actually in the 'basement'; one flight of stairs down from the orchestra. That being said, I am pretty sure there is no elevator. I'm sorry.

[getatme]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 1:41pm

There's no elevator up to the mezzanine unfortunately. There is a small bathroom on the mezzanine level, though.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 2:01pm

I've joined the modern world and subscribed to iTunes. I downloaded the Pippin revival cast recording. It is awesome!!

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 4:04pm

getatme,
Really? That's not where the usher pointed me towards when I saw the show. She told me to go downstairs (and I was in the mezz).

[macnyc]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 4:09pm

The Music Box has an accessible bathroom on the main level, I believe right off the lobby. It's not that easy to find. Ask one of the theater employees for better directions than I've given!

[getatme]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 4:20pm

MaddieBB, I may be a bit fuzzy, but when I sat in the mezz for Pippin, I'm fairly certain I used a very small bathroom just up the stairs. I think it was one stall and a few urinals shoved into what was probably a large closet.

[canmark]

Posted: 6/5/13 at 7:51pm

Thanks all for feedback on the stairs/washrooms at the Music Box! I'm visiting NYC with relatives, and I think Pippin will be the only show we'll be seeing. I'll try to use the facilities at the restaurant before getting to the theatre, just to be safe, and will ask the ushers for directions if needed.

Updated On: 6/20/13 at 07:51 PM

[canmark]

Posted: 6/20/13 at 10:02am

Had a great time at Pippin last Friday. As I posted previously, due to a health issue I am now walking with a cane and I had actually rented a wheelchair while in NY and took it to the theatre (pushed by family members). The ushers at the Music Box Theatre were very helpful. They let us leave the wheelchair at the back of the theatre and showed us to the 'short cut' stairs to the mezzanine (via the box seats), as we were sitting in the second row mezzanine. One of the ushers asked if I wanted to use the restrooms on the main level before going up to my seat. So, I was very pleased with the help/concern showed by the ushering staff. Thank you!

The show was great. So much to see (I had not seen a production of Pippin before). Acrobatics and magic tricks were a bonus. Patina Miller (love her!) and Matthew James Thomas were standout performances, although the entire cast was excellent.