PIPPIN on Letterman tonight

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/14/13 at 4:09pm

PIPPIN cast performs on Letterman 5/14

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/14/13 at 11:42pm

just a reminder. Letterman is airing right now on the east coast.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 5/14/13 at 11:50pm

Thanks for this, watching it now in chicago. I wonder what they'll do.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:00am

And Tom Hanks, promoting LUCKY GUY (like the show needs it...).

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:34am

I'm sure the number is much better in the theatre, but that didn't translate well.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:36am

I agree, that performance felt awkward. They can't do most of the songs, however, without the trapeze and other set pieces. I really hope they do "Magic to Do" for their Tony performance..

[Trish2]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:36am

What a misfire ! What a mistake !

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:37am

I thought the tricks came off very well as far as getting the audience's attention. I do agree; I bet it's better in the theatre. Still, the studio audience seemed into it.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:37am

I liked the costumes a lot, but the Manson Trio had No threat to it, and that Ball and Hula hoop number were better in THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:46am

I know the Manson Trio is a classic piece of choreography, but out of context (and with today's audiences hardly recognizing what it is), it sadly doesn't translate. I bet they wanted to feature some circus, and Simple Joys was the only one they could feasibly do on that stage. It seemed like the camera didn't know what to focus on. Sounded like the studio audience liked it though. The tricks are very impressive live.

Updated On: 5/15/13 at 12:46 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:53am

If The Manson Trio doesn't "translate" how come 30 seconds of it turned PIIPIN into a hit?

This version had no bite, and I'm gay but I missed 2 sexy dangerous woman backing up you know who.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 12:57am

*shrug* I liked it.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 1:07am

I thought the performance was okay but nowhere best the greatness I saw live. Did they cut the dancers from this performance and only use the acrobats? The number felt a little empty. It also seemed cramped on the small stage. But I think what really killed the number was that everybody seemed extremely nervous, including Patina, which showed in her singing.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 1:15am

Just a bad choice in performance or is the cast starting to feel the pressure?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 1:15am

Perhaps it's the same bite you speak of, Curtain. I'm saying this version didn't translate. And yes, as much as it's nice to see two sexy men behind Patina, I don't know how I feel about the gender swap in this situation. (Basically, I think we agree.)

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 1:18am

You know, I'd love to see Andrea Martin just sing "No Time At All." No need to do the staging. Her comic timing alone would make a great TV performance.

[hanabana]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 2:25am

I liked their performance. I don't know much about Pippin, but that performance intrigued me. I have no doubt that the live performances on Broadway would be spectacular! Hope to see it soon!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 6:48am

Last night, I suddenly remembered that it was on Letterman. So, I rushed to my tv and Tom Hanks was going on and on. He was funny though. I then dvr'ed the rest of the show. I watched it this morning. Very impressive.....especially Orion Griffith's thighs. : )

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 7:40am

His thighs deserve a Tony.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 8:14am

Agree that all of what was shown is much more impressive in person and in context. I thought to myself while watching..."would this intrigue me to pay to see this show?" Unfortunately I would think not for most who aren't Broadway fanatics.

Nice of Dave to put it on as THE last bit too.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 8:51am

I haven't seen the revival yet so I can't comment on how this performance compared. I liked it. I've been wondering how the circus stuff would actually be integrated in the production and now I have a taste of it. My exposure to Pippin is limited to the 30 second ad for the original show, performing Magic to Do in a fundraiser once, and playing selections from the show at various auditions. I saw enough here to make me want to see the full production when my schedule opens up again.

Something did seem off in The Manson Trio and I don't want to blame the actors. I think the camera cuts and Letterman's stage took away from it. Projections and a few props can't hide that it's a small stage with visible wings. The costumes didn't pop like they should on the backup dancers.

Simple Joys looked better on that stage but it was cluttered and the camera jumped too much. I would never imagine doing that song as promo for Pippin. I did enjoy it still because it got me thinking about the approach to the show and Patina sounded great on it.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 9:06am

I enjoyed it, especially Orion Griffiths' thighs and abs. If I had not seen the show already I think I would have thought it was interesting, but not "all that." Seeing this number on stage though is a completely different experience; much more thrilling and mind blowing.

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 9:13am

It started off slowly with an out of context song/dance meaning nothing without the story. "Simple Joys" really tells Pippin's conflict. The backup performers were amazing. However the Broadway stage includes so much more depth and height for a fuller experience. Some might be left wondering why the title is "Pippin" as he was not represented.
All that being said, I could watch Orion flip, kick, smile, twirl onstage all day!

Posted: 5/15/13 at 9:38am

Wow- you guys must be kidding! That performance knocked it OUT OF THE PARK!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/15/13 at 9:41am

It seems in that number the tricks were just tricks, no storytelling, what do the hula hoops have to do with the song?
And is Pippin in the number onstage?