Review Roundup: PIPPIN at KC Rep - All the Reviews!

Kansas City Repertory Theatre opened its 48th season with the Tony Award-nominated musical Pippin, which features a score by Grammy-winner Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. The Rep's artistic director Eric Rosen directs the musical, which is currently running through October 7 in Spencer Theatre. 

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Robert Trussell of the Kansas City STAR:  "At a certain point during the opening-night performance of Kansas City Repertory Theatre's wild production of "Pippin," I realized that I was witnessing a creative act of madness.  And that's a good thing."  He goes on to say that "the performer who virtually steals Act 1 (if not the entire show) is Mary Testa, a New York actress who is simply unforgettable as Berthe, Pippin's bawdy grandmother. Her performance of 'No Time at All' is an extended comic interlude, punctuated with hilarious asides that are either scripted or actual ad libs. Either way, her comic timing is impeccable."

Jeffrey Tamblyn of Kansas City infozine: "Righteous applause goes to Katie Kalahurka and Sam Cordes, whose funny duet musical number came closest to achieving the shockingly decadent extremes that supposedly characterize the reign of Pippin's war-obsessed father. I also appreciated the earnest efforts of Katie Gilchrist and Mary Testa, the latter of whom delivers a show-stopper despite being saddled with horrible lyrics and one of the worst wigs I've ever seen."

Pippin runs through October 7, 2012, at Spencer Theatre located at 4949 Cherry Street in Kansas City, MO. For ticket and performance information, call the Rep Box Office at 816-235-2700 or visit www.KCRep.org. For group ticket information and sales, please contact Group Sales at 816-235-6122.

Photo Credit: Don Ipock