Feature: PIPPIN Plays at Princeton Summer Theater!

PIPPIN, which opened this past weekend at the Princeton Summer Theater, is a showcase for tunes many theatre-goers will recognize. "Corner of the Sky" and "Magic to Do" described as "rock" when the musical first hit Broadway in 1972, are by now classics, and the composer, Stephen Schwartz, (GODSPELL, WICKED) a hit maker.

PIPPIN, the musical, is based loosely on the life of Charlemagne's son, a prince with infinite choices set on a search for meaning and fulfillment. This production benefits from Kyle Mangold in the title role, who slips into the part and the music with a charming ease and confidence.

The audience is entertained or challenged by the format of PIPPIN. The use of a troupe of actors guiding the progress establishes the shifting nature of the story-telling, forcing questions about truth and reality beyond the fourth wall, deliberately, but also, at times, predictably. We've seen this story before; met these characters.

One of the reliable and redeeming aspects of Princeton Summer Theater is its intellectual investigation of drama's role in the current cultural and political environment. PIPPIN is deceptively simple, and at times some of the baggage of the past (purple and blue eye shadow included) creeps in. Still, considering the legacy of PIPPIN the musical goes back to a college production at Carnegie Mellon University, it's fitting that this production is explored by a young cast. As the song says, "Everything has a season."

Joseph Haggerty has created an inventive and movable set in the intimate Hamilton Murray Theater and the pit orchestra, positioned behind the action, sets a tempo that is promising.

PIPPIN at the Princeton Summer Theater runs through July 9th. www.princetonsummertheater.org/tickets or 732-997-0205

photo credit: Jake Schade