PIPPIN Kicks Off The Mark Taper Forum's 2009 Season 1/25

Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre's production of "Pippin" opens the Mark Taper Forum's 2009 season on Sunday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m. Both deaf and hearing actors sign and sing the magical musical comedy with book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun, "Pippin" continues performances through March 15.

"Pippin" is the captivating coming of age story about a young man's search for meaning in his life, as told by a lively band of troubadours in the Roman Empire. The episodic quest of Pippin, the son of the powerful Charlemagne, takes him through battlefields, orgies, revolution, and finally, love and domesticity, as he tries to find a place for his "spirit to run free," for his "corner of the sky." This production interweaves music, voice, American Sign Language and dance, and combines powerful storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures.

The cast includes (in alphabetical order) Michael Arden, Jonah Blechman, Dan Callaway, Bryan Terrell Clark, Nicolas Conway, Rodrick Covington, James Royce Edwards, TL Forsberg, Sara Gettelfinger, Tyrone Giordano, Harriet Harris, Rebecca Ann Johnson, Troy Kotsur, José F. Lopez, Jr., John McGinty, Anthony Natale, Aleks Pevec, Victoria Platt, Ty Taylor, Nikki Tomlinson, Melissa Van Der Schyff and Alexandria Wailes.

"Pippin" features scenic and costume design by Tobin Ost, lighting design by Donald Holder, sound design by Philip G. Allen, illusions by Jim Steinmeyer and music direction and arrangements by Steven Landau. Casting is by Bonnie Grisan and Erika Sellin and the production stage manager is David Sugarman.

CTG and Deaf West first paired up in 2002 with the presentation of Deaf West's award-winning production of "Big River" at the Taper, which was subsequently presented for an extended run on Broadway. In April 2007, CTG and Deaf West collaborated on the world premiere musical "Sleeping Beauty Wakes" at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

Tickets for "Pippin" start at $20 and are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center. For the deaf community, call TDD (213) 680-4017 for tickets and information.

Photos: Ty Taylor and Cast, Bottom: Tyrone Giordano and Michael Arden 

Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz