Pippin 1972 - Articles Page 4

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

Get Pippin Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Pippin - 1972 - Broadway Articles Page 4

Hell In A Handbag Launches Season with POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical
by Julie Musbach - Feb 19, 2019


Hell in a Handbag Productions launches its 2019 season with a revival of the musical that started it all: POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical, a musical parody and a loving homage to the classic 1972 film, The Poseidon Adventure, the grandmother of all disaster films. Handbag's very first show will return March 15 - April 28, 2019 at a venue befitting of an ocean liner: The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway in Chicago.

BWW Review: CM Performing Arts Center Production of PIPPIN Is "On the Right Track"!
by Nicholas Pontolillo - Jan 25, 2019


The Noel S. Ruiz Theater at CMPAC does it again with their production of Pippin. Pippin was a wise choice to wrap-up CMPAC's 43rd season. Inspired by the real-life individuals of the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne and his hunchbacked son Pippin, the show tells the fictionalized story of the young prince in search for meaning and significance in his life.

Casting Announced For Hell In A Handbag's POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical
by Julie Musbach - Jan 18, 2019


Hell in a Handbag Productions announces casting for its revival of the musical that started it all: POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical, a musical parody and loving homage to the classic 1972 film, The Poseidon Adventure, the grandmother of all disaster films.

Hell In A Handbag Productions Announce POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical
by Julie Musbach - Jan 2, 2019


Hell in a Handbag Productions launches its 2019 season with a revival of the musical that started it all: POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical, a musical parody and a loving homage to the classic 1972 film, The Poseidon Adventure, the grandmother of all disaster films.

PIPPIN to Play At Royall Tyler Theatre 2/27 to 3/1
by Alan Henry - Dec 26, 2018


PIPPIN is coming to the University of Vermont February 27th to March 3rd. 

VIDEO: Get A First Look At Skylight Music Theatre 's PIPPIN
by Alan Henry - Oct 5, 2018


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Skylight Music Theatre Artistic's Pippin, running September 21 through October 7 in Skylight's beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Check out the video below!

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Cast of PIPPIN
by Julie Musbach - Sep 11, 2018


Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce that Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN will run from October 11th through November 18th in Venus Cabaret Theater. Press opening is Sunday, October 14th at 7:30pm.

PIPPIN Comes to Lakewood Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Aug 18, 2018


Lakewood Theatre Company continues its 66th season with the extraordinarily timeless tale of Pippin from composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell). Directed by Paul Angelo with musical direction by Valery Saul and choreography by Erin Shannon, this musical questions the choices we make in life that lead us to happiness. Pippin first premiered on Broadway in 1972, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. The original production featured choreography and direction by Bob Fosse, who won Tony awards for both categories in 1973. Lakewood Theatre Company's production opens September 7 and runs through October 14, 2018 on the Headlee Mainstage at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego.

Skylight Music Theatre Announces Cast & Creative Team For PIPPIN
by Julie Musbach - Aug 14, 2018


Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Ray Jivoff announced the cast and creative team for Pippin, running September 21 through October 7 in Skylight's beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

BWW Review: PIPPIN at Music Theatre Wichita
by Paula Makar - Jul 27, 2018


Everything old is new again. This iteration of Pippin, masterfully directed and choreographed by Al Blackstone, has one foot in the original 1972 Bob Fosse version and the other foot in the 2013 Diane Paulus 'Cirque' Revival.

Photo Flash: Music Theatre Wichita Presents PIPPIN
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 26, 2018


Music Theatre Wichita continues its 2018 Season with one of the first regional productions of the newly revised Pippin, reflecting the changes composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and librettist Roger O. Hirson introduced in the 2013 Broadway revival. Directed and choreographed by Emmy-nominated Al Blackstone ("So You Think You Can Dance"), the lavish production features a 32-member cast in an all-new staging. The fourth of five self-produced musicals in MTWichita's 2018 season, the run continues through July 29. Disney's The Little Mermaid will conclude the season August 8-18.

VIDEO: Get A First Look At PIPPIN At MT Wichita
by Alan Henry - Jul 26, 2018


Music Theatre Wichita continues its 2018 Season with one of the first regional productions of the newly revised Pippin, reflecting the changes composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and librettist Roger O. Hirson introduced in the 2013 Broadway revival. Directed and choreographed by Emmy-nominated Al Blackstone ("So You Think You Can Dance"), the lavish production features a 32-member cast in an all-new staging. The fourth of five self-produced musicals in MTWichita's 2018 season, the run continues through July 29. Disney's The Little Mermaid will conclude the season August 8-18.

PIPPIN Comes To Music Theatre Wichita This Month
by Karen Stahl - Jul 12, 2018


Music Theatre Wichita presents PIPPIN, running from July 25 to July 29. 

BWW Review: Conservatory Students Prove They Are on the Right Track in North Carolina Theatre's Production of PIPPIN
by Lauren Van Hemert - Jul 7, 2018


PIPPIN opened on Broadway in 1972 under the direction of legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. In 2013, the show was reimagined as a circus spectacle for the Tony Award-winning revival. The North Carolina Theatre production of PIPPIN, showcasing the talents of its North Carolina Theatre Conservatory students, opens this weekend at The A.J. Fletcher Opera Theatre in Downtown Raleigh. At the heart of this production, is the enthusiasm and the charisma of the 38 middle school and high school students who shine under the tutelage of the professionals who they've worked with for four weeks this summer to put on this semi-professional production.

BWW Interview: Tito Hernandez Channels Inner Fosse for North Carolina Theatre's PIPPIN
by Lauren Van Hemert - Jun 28, 2018


PIPPIN is the story of a young prince trying to find the meaning of life. Pippin's struggle to find out where he fits into the world is not unlike the 38 middle school and high school students performing in North Carolina Theatre Conservatory's production, which opens July 6th at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in Downtown Raleigh. The students are part of the conservatory's Master Summer Theatre Arts School (STAS), one of the flagship pre-professional training programs of North Carolina Theatre. 'Pippin never finds anything fulfilling until he finally realizes he never had to go anyplace further than his own backyard to find what he was looking for,' says Director Tito Hernandez, who has been teaching at the conservatory for 18 years. 'It has a closure at the end and the message that you can search all over you want, but the happiness has to be within.' Hernandez first saw PIPPIN after it opened on Broadway in 1972, under the direction of Bob Fosse. But he says, this production is closer to the 2013 Tony Award-winning revival, including the circus choreography, acrobatics, and extended ending. And Hernandez, a dance veteran himself having made his Broadway debut in JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, is no stranger to Fosse's artistry. In fact, he participated in a tribute event to Fosse before the legendary choreographer passed away and had the opportunity to meet him, work with his associates, and perform his choreography. PIPPIN runs July 6-8 at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater at The Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

VIDEO: Fran Drescher and Priscilla Lopez Visit Marti Cummings' LGBTQ Talk Show STAGE FRIGHT
by Stephi Wild - Jun 19, 2018


Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Fran Drescher was joined by Tony Winner Priscilla Lopez at NYC drag star Marti Gould Cummings weekly talk show Stage Fright.

Shonica Gooden, Matt Bogart, Jenni Barber Announced for Music Theatre Wichita's 2018 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 29, 2018


Casting is announced today for Music Theatre Wichita's 47th Season, which includes including Sister Act, Guys and Dolls, Disney's Freaky Friday, Pippin, and Disney's The Little Mermaid.

VIDEO: On This Day, April 25: Diane Paulus' Revival of PIPPIN Has Magic to Do on Broadway!
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 25, 2018


On this day in 2013, Diane Paulus' high-flying revival of Stephen Schwartz PIPPIN opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theater!

Weinstein Company Loses Rights to PIPPIN Movie
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 9, 2018


Back in 2014, reports began to circulate that the Weinstein Company would bring Pippin to the big screen, with the help of producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Now according to Deadline, TWC has officially lost the rights to the film amidst the company's recent bankruptcy filings. 

Lakewood Theatre Company Announces Open Auditions For PIPPIN
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 24, 2018


Lakewood Theatre Company will be having open auditions for the musical PIPPIN on SATURDAY, APRIL 28 and SUNDAY, APRIL 29,  2018. Sign up online to secure an audition appointment at this link: https://www.lakewood-center.org/pages/lakewood-plays-auditions. Call 503-635-3901 if you need assistance with sign up.

Brief 2/26: AN ORDINARY MUSLIM Opens Tonight, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2018


Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top news: An Ordinary Muslim opens tonight, Roundabout Theatre Company and Atlantic Theater Company hold their 2018 galas, and more!

Kean University Theatre Conservatory Has 'Magic To Do' As It Presents PIPPIN
by Julie Musbach - Feb 9, 2018


Kean University's Theatre Conservatory will present the award-winning musical Pippin, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. Pippin will run from February 16 - 24 in Kean University's Wilkins Theatre, located on the University's main campus at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. Guided by the Leading Player and a troupe of players, Pippin follows a young man of the same name on his quest to find his place in the world and become "extraordinary."

CAROUSEL, BRIGADOON to Screen at Paley Center as Part of BroadwayCon
by BWW News Desk - Dec 6, 2017


BroadwayCon has announced that it has partnered with The Paley Center for Media to offer free screenings of some of musical theatre's best moments on television as part of the The Road to BroadwayCon: From the Comfort of Your Living Room - Treasures of Network Television.

Pontiac Theatre IV's Got Magic to Do with PIPPIN
by BWW News Desk - Nov 10, 2017


Pontiac Theatre IV will open its 2017/2018 season on November 10th with the musical Pippin, the classic song and dance-filled tale of a young man in search of his 'corner of the sky.'

Pippin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Pippin have there been?
Pippin has had 11 productions including which opened in 1967, Broadway which opened in 1972, Broadway which opened in 1972, West End which opened in 1973, Australia which opened in 1974, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 2000, Regional (US) which opened in 2005, which opened in 2005, East Haddam, CT (Regional) which opened in 2006, Broadway which opened in 2013 and US Tour which opened in 2014.
What Tony Awards has Pippin been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Book of a Musical for Roger O. Hirson, Best Choreography for Bob Fosse, Best Costume Design for Patricia Zipprodt, Best Direction of a Musical for Bob Fosse , Best Lighting Design for Jules FisherBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Stephen Schwartz and Best Scenic Design for Tony Walton.
What Tony Awards has Pippin won?
Best Book of a Musical for Roger O. Hirson Best Choreography for Bob Fosse, Best Costume Design for Patricia Zipprodt, Best Direction of a Musical for Bob Fosse , Best Lighting Design for Jules Fisher, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Stephen Schwartz, Best Scenic Design for Tony Walton, .
What awards has Pippin been nominated for?
Pippin has been nominated for the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for John Rubinstein.
What awards has Pippin won?
Pippin has won the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for John Rubinstein.

Videos