Pippin 1972 - Articles Page 9

Ages: 9+
Opened: October 23, 1972
Closing: June 12, 1977

Pippin - 1972 - Broadway History , Info & More

Minskoff Theatre (Broadway)
200 W. 45th St. New York, NY 10036

Nominated in 1972 for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and winning five of those coveted Awards, this hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic fairy tale is based upon the life of Prince Pippin the Hunchback, the firstborn son of eighth century, Frankish king Charlemagne or Charles the Great, and invites audiences to join the fantastical journey of the rosy-cheeked prince famously looking for his “corner of the sky”. But his dad is a tyrannical bore, his step-mom is a Lady Macbeth in a mini skirt, and his half-brother Lewis is a twit. Returning home from school, Prince Pippin, sure of his superior qualities but lacking a purpose to which he can apply them, becomes a soldier for his father's army, but he gets upset by the killing and murders his father to stop the war. Finding he does not want to become the "puppet king" of discontented nobles in the Carolingian Empire, Pippin longs to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment. He is led by a mischievous Leading Player as he tries to find his place in life in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power. The youth's violent journey to fulfillment sets Pippin's quest into a tradition of psychological darkness, bringing an unusually creepy seriousness to Pippin's temptations and sinister machinations to the Leading Player. In the end, he finds the simple pleasures and domestic contentment of love, home and family is something to be quietly achieved. A rock opera filled with sex, S&M, and amputated limbs, this perky musical is meant to be at times unnerving and dark. Pippin is full of light pop music, magic, and soft-shoe dances, but it has one of the darkest and most complex themes in musical theater history.

Directed by John Thompson, Music Direction by Jeannie Cross.

Pippin - 1972 - Broadway Cast

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Pippin - 1972 - Broadway Articles Page 9

Photo Coverage: Jennifer Nettles and Carly Hughes Prep for Broadway's CHICAGO
by Walter McBride - Jan 30, 2015


Jennifer Nettles and Carly Hughes join the Broadway company of Chicago in the starring roles of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly for a limited eight-week engagement -- Monday, February 2 through Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.). Their official Opening Night performance is Tuesday, February 3. BroadwayWorld has photos of the ladies in rehearsal below!

STAGE TUBE: Go Backstage with Lucie Arnaz and the PIPPIN Tour!
by Sally Henry Fuller - Jan 4, 2015


PIPPIN concludes its Broadway run today, but the tour cast continues to bring the show to audiences across the country. In this video, the cast takes CBS Sunday Morning behind the scenes through their training process, rehearsal rooms, and more!

PIPPIN Concludes Tony Award-Winning Broadway Run Today
by Sally Henry Fuller - Jan 4, 2015


Broadway's high-flying, death-defying Tony Award winning hit musical Pippin is closing today, January 4, 2015, at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street, NYC), after 709 performances and 37 previews.

BWW Flashback: Tony-Winning Revival of PIPPIN Wraps Broadway Run Today
by BWW Special Coverage - Jan 4, 2015


Broadway's high-flying, death-defying Tony Award winning hit musical Pippin takes down the Broadway big top today, Sunday, January 4, 2015 after 709 performances and 37 previews. The Pippin national tour is now playing in cities across the US and future productions are planned for London, Australia and Amsterdam. In honor of it's closing, BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at the revival's Broadway run below!

Craig Zadan Confirms PIPPIN Film Up Next for Him and Meron
by Matt Tamanini - Dec 29, 2014


With Disney's adaptation of INTO THE WOODS earning the largest box office figures for any movie musical adapted from a Broadway show in history, legendary stage, TV, and film producer Craig Zadan took to Twitter to confirm that he and partner Neil Meron will next be helming the big screen adaptation of Stephen Schwartz's classic musical PIPPIN.

Happy Trails! Say Goodbye to Broadway's Departing Shows!
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 27, 2014


A slew of plays and musicals will open on Broadway in Spring 2015, but where there is good news, there is also sad. To make room for highly-anticipated new productions such as Finding Neverland, On the Twentieth Century and Doctor Zhivago, some of our most beloved shows must close for good. Below, BroadwayWorld salutes the shows that will soon be taking their final Broadway bows. Get your tickets now to catch them while you still can!

PIPPIN Enters Final Two Weeks of Performances on Broadway
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 22, 2014


Broadway's high-flying, death-defying Tony Award winning hit musical Pippin is now in its final two weeks of performances at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street, NYC). The production will play its final show on Sunday, January 4, 2015 after 709 performances and 37 previews. The Pippin national tour is now playing in cities across the US and future productions are planned for London, Australia and Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.PippinTheMusical.com.

Sasha Allen, Kyle Selig and More Star in PIPPIN National Tour at to the Smith Center, Now thru 11/30
by BWW News Desk - Nov 25, 2014


The Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical Pippin presents the U.S. national tour, which runs today, Nov. 25, through Nov. 30 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

GODSPELL Revival in Concert to Launch 2015 UK Tour
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 12, 2014


GODSPELL, the legendary rock musical from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award- winning composer of WICKED, is back. Following the enormous success of 2014's gala performance at Shaftesbury Avenue's Lyric Theatre, in support of the charity Make-A-Wish-FoundationUK, Godspell In Concert is set to tour the UK in 2015, opening at the Hackney Empire on the 4th April.

Tony Winner Priscilla Lopez Will Return to Broadway's PIPPIN Tonight
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 11, 2014


Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez, who appeared in the legendary original cast of A Chorus Line and was also a replacement for the role of "Fastrada" in the original production of Pippin in 1973, will re-join the all-new Tony Award winning production of Pippin in the role of "Berthe" beginning tonight, Tuesday, November 11. Lucie Arnaz played her final performance in the role on Sunday, November 9 and has rejoined the US national tour. Pippin is now playing through Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

Marin Summer Theater to Present DEFYING GRAVITY: THE BEST OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 10, 2014


Marin Summer Theater has announced that the second show of the 2015 MST Season will be the world premiere of a new musical review, DEFYING GRAVITY: THE BEST OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ.

BWW Interviews: CORNER OF THE SKY Celebrates the Music of Stephen Schwartz at the Segal Centre, Nov. 13
by Krista Garver - Nov 10, 2014


On November 13, Noelle Hannibal, Marc Ducusin, and special guests will perform in Corner of the Sky: The Music of Stephen Schwartz at the Segal Centre Studio.

BWW Interview: PIPPIN's New Heir to the Throne Josh Kaufman Dishes on Life After THE VOICE, Making His Broadway Debut & More!
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 9, 2014


Kaufman chatted with BroadwayWorld during his first week in the show about joining the company, moving from TV to the stage, making his Broadway debut and more. Check out the full interview below!

Segerstrom Center Sets PIPPIN Lobby Activities
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 5, 2014


Segerstrom Center for the Arts announces free lobby activities for all 16 performances of PIPPIN in Orange County from November 11 - 23, 2014, available to all ticketholders starting one hour prior to show time and during intermission.

Breaking News: So Long to the Big Top- Broadway's PIPPIN Will Play Final Performance in January
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 3, 2014


The producers of Tony Award winning Best Revival of a Musical Pippin have announced that the Broadway production will play its final performance at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street, NYC) on Sunday, January 4, 2015 after 709 performances and 37 previews. The Pippin national tour is now playing in cities across the US and future productions are planned for London, Australia and Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.PippinTheMusical.com.

TV: On the Red Carpet with PIPPIN Opening Night in LA - Martin Short, Sean Hayes, Bo Derek & More!
by Michael Sterling & Jordan Santacana - Oct 31, 2014


The all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's Pippin had it's L.A. Premiere direct from Broadway at the Hollywood Pantages Theater October 22 and Broadway World TV's own red carpet Los Angeles Co-Producer and on-air Host Michael Sterling and Co-Producer Jordan Santacana were there to get up close and personal with the stars. Among those attending the opening were Martin Short, Nia Vardalos, Sean Hayes, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Bucatinsky, Jai Rodriguez, Christopher McDonald, Oscar Nunez, Bo Derek, Cloris Leachman, Patrick Cassidy, Obba Babatunde, Maisela Lusha, Kevin Chamberlin, Anne Jeffries, JoAnne Worley and Scott Hoying (Pentatonix)... to name but a few.

Kyle Dean Massey to Remain with PIPPIN National Tour for Washington DC Engagement
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 31, 2014


The producers of the Tony-winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning November 4 at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. PIPPIN makes its Washington, D.C., premiere at the National Theatre December 16 through January 4, with Massey in the role.

Photo Flash: Ben Vereen Reunites With PIPPIN Cast on National Tour
by Christina Mancuso - Oct 31, 2014


On Thursday Evening, October 30th, there was certainly "Magic to Do" backstage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Ben Vereen, the original "Leading Player" in the 1972 Broadway production of PIPPIN, visited with the cast backstage after watching the performance. Ben was reunited with his original "Pippin", actor John Rubinstein ("Charles"), with whom Ben appeared in the original Broadway production helmed by Bob Fosse. Actors pictured with Ben are Tony-Winner Andrea Martin ("Berthe") Matthew James Thomas ("Pippin"), Sasha Allen ("Leading Player") and more! Check out the photos below!

Kyle Dean Massey to Join Cast of PIPPIN National Tour in Los Angeles Straight from Broadway
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 30, 2014


The Nederlander Organization and the producers of the Tony Winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning Tuesday, Nov 4th at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. He will be replacing Matthew James Thomas who takes his final bow on Sunday, November 2nd.

BWW Reviews: Extraordinary Tony-Winning Revival of PIPPIN Somersaults into SoCal
by Michael L. Quintos - Oct 28, 2014


Arguably, director Diane Paulus' greatest triumph to date is the spectacular new production of PIPPIN, the 2013 Tony-winning revival of Stephen Schwartz's trippy but winsome musical about the angst-riddled but hyper-aspirational young son of King Charlemagne, and his erratic, sometimes frustrating journey of self-discovery. In her marvelously inventive, re-imagined update---now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through November 9---Paulus brilliantly orients the topsy-turvy machinations of the entire story within the canvas-lined confines of a big-top circus. Here, the over-the-top performance troupe that 'guides' our hero's search for self-fulfillment aren't merely just actors (or 'players') but are also all agile, athletic circus performers that tumble, leap, and balance themselves for our (and Pippin's) entertainment pleasure. As expected, both Pippin and the audience are equally lulled into submission.

Photo Flash: On the Red Carpet for PIPPIN National Tour's Opening Night at Hollywood Pantages!
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 23, 2014


The 2013 Tony Award winning Best Revival of a Musical Pippin made its premiere earlier this week at L.A. Premiere at the Hollywood Pantages, where it will play through November 9th. Tickets are now on sale to the general public online at www.HollywoodPantages.com orwww.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787 or at the Hollywood Pantages Box Office located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard (Opens daily at 10am.) Check out a look back at the opening night's red carpet below!

BWW Reviews: Newest Broadway Revival of PIPPIN Provides Spills and Thrills at the Pantages
by Don Grigware - Oct 23, 2014


In 1972 Pippin opened on Broadway and became one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, closing in 1977. Stephen Schwartz's bubbling optimistic tunes made the surreal and sensual mood of the piece an ultra-pleasant experience for theatre goers. One actually left the theatre humming the score. Throughout the dreamlike texture of Pippin's quest for his 'Corner of the Sky', however, there blooms a simplistic, timeless message that reverberates to this day. So, even though this brand new revival set in a circus big top is visually more opulent with high swinging artists and feats of magic, the pieces of the puzzle do fit into place - original director Bob Fosse would approve - and the play's substance is untarnished. Director Diane Paulus may take a bow for her simply stunning ambition of embellishment. I prefer the simplicity of the original, which allows your imagination to take flight, but must own up to enjoying most of the new version. How can you not, as the Fosse-esque style with acrobatics added on make for a visually splendid evening of dance and action.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/23- PIPPIN
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 23, 2014


Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

PIPPIN, Broadway League & Art of Men Partner to Bring Seniors to Show
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 16, 2014


Pippin The Musical, The Broadway League and Art of Men will bring seventy-five New York City seniors from Union Settlement to the Broadway production of Pippin on October 19, 2014 to experience their first Broadway musical. Cast members from the Pippin will host a talkback with the seniors immediately following the show.

Lucie Arnaz Returns to Broadway as 'Berthe' in PIPPIN Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 9, 2014


Lucie Arnaz is set to return to Broadway in the role of 'Berthe' in the Tony Award winning PIPPIN for a limited engagement beginning tonight, October 9 through Sunday, November 9. Arnaz comes from the PIPPIN national tour, which is playing at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, CA. PIPPIN is now playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

Other Productions of Pippin

1967   Reading
1972   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1973   West End London Production
West End
1974   Australia Australian Production
Australia
2000   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2005   Regional (US) Reprise! Concert
Regional (US)
2005   Bay Street Theatre Revival
2006   East Haddam, CT (Regional) Goodspeed Revival
East Haddam, CT (Regional)
2013   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2014   US Tour US National Tour
US Tour

Pippin - 1972 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1973 Theatre World Awards Performance John Rubinstein
1973 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Roger O. Hirson
1973 Tony Awards Best Choreography Bob Fosse
1973 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Patricia Zipprodt
1973 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Bob Fosse
1973 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design Jules Fisher
1973 Tony Awards Best Musical Stuart Ostrow
1973 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Stephen Schwartz
1973 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Ben Vereen
1973 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Irene Ryan
1973 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Leland Palmer
1973 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Tony Walton

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