“Pippin” — written by Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Roger O. Hirson (book) and set in a surreal version of Medieval Europe, with the fourth wall broken more and more frequently as the play nears its surprising but also heart-warming ending — is a dark and thrilling Broadway classic. It follows the story of a young man named Pippin as he tries to find the meaning of life through glory, love, and purpose. With a burlesque twist, Vanguard Theater's interpretation represents a great opportunity to see this classic in an intimate setting. Check out our sizzle reel HERE
Heralded by reviewers as "not to be missed," and "filled with magic," this production feaatures 12 show Broadway veteran Dwayne Clark (Legacy Robe recipient in Shucked) as Charlemagne, and Ain't Too Proud's Lawrence Dandridge (First National Tour) as Leading Player. Says Jay Lustig of NJ Arts: "This “Pippin” is worth seeing for Dandridge’s performance alone. Though there is so much more to it, as well."
Vanguard Theater, Montclair’s professional theatrical company, acclaimed as trailblazing by critics and audiences alike, is located at 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ. The theater is on the second floor, and walking up stairs is required.
Ages: 15 and older
Unlock a Discount Offer for Pippin in New Jersey at Vanguard Theater Company
Pippin at Vanguard Theater Company Schedule
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8PM; Saturdays at 3PM; Sundays 2PM and 3PM. At the Wednesday 8PM (6/26), and Sunday 2PM (6/30) performances, the role of the Leading Player will be played by Marcel Joshua. At the Saturday matinee and evening performances on 6/22, the role of Fastrada will be played by Rebecca Murillo. BROADWAY WORLD READER RECEIVE 10% OFF ALL PERFORMANCES WITH THE CODE BWTEN at checkout!
Pole Artist Cameron Boucher-Kahn dazzles in Pippin!
Dwayne Clark as King Charlemagne and Ensemblle.
Quincy Hampton as Pippin
Leading Player and the Royal Family
Jared Mazeika, Yamil Rivera, Samara Danielle Steele, and Marcel Joshua
Janice Lynn as Berthe
Lisa Cortney as Fastrada with Jared Mazeika, left, and Yamil Rivera, Right
Dwayne Clark as Charlemagne, and Lisa Cortney as Fastrada
Dwayne Clark as Charlemagne and Sarah Takash, Silk Artist.
Cast and Creative team for Pippin at Vanguard Theater Company
Cast
Lawrence Dandridge
Leading Player
Lawrence Dandridge (Leading Player) is
excited to be back at Vanguard this sea-
son. Previous Vanguard stage credits in-
clude Passing Strange (Mr. Franklin/Joop/
Mr. Venus), Songs for A New World
(feature pandemic film) and Two Gentle-
men of Verona (Thurio). Recent profes-
sional credits include Tick, Tick, Boom
(Theatre Raleigh - Michael)!, Rock and Roll
Man (off Broadway- Little Richard Cover),
Ain’t Too Proud 1st National Tour
(Smokey Robinson/Damon Harris), and
Sister Act 2nd National Tour (TJ). Law-
rence has choreographed countless Van-
guard productions with favorites that in-
clude Spring Awakening, Zombie Prom,
Little Shop of Horrors, and Little Women. Proud Co-Founder of Aurway Repertory
Theatre in Newark. @that_musicman
Quincy Hampton
Pippin
Dwayne Clark
King Charlemagne
Dwayne Clark (Charlemagne) is a celebrat-
ed actor, singer, educator, performance
coach and motivational speaker. Dwayne
has also had an extensive Broadway ca-
reer. Most recently, Dwayne appeared in
Shucked (Grandpa) and Paradise Square
on Broadway. Dwayne has also appeared
in the Tony and Grammy Award winning
revival of The Color Purple, as well as in
Spiderman Turn Off The Dark directed by
Julie Taymor at the Foxwoods Theater in
NYC. He was in the Tony award winning
Broadway cast of In The Heights where he
portrayed the character of “Benny” many
times, and Cry Baby The Musical, in the
role of “Dupree.” Other Broadway credits
include: Urinetown The Musical, directed by
John Rando; Smokey Joe’s Café under the
direction of Jerry Zacks;, and Tarzan The
Musical where he played ”Terk”, and also
performed with Phil Collins on a promotion-
al tour. For close to three decades he has
graced Broadway, off-broadway, film, television national and international stages to
critical acclaim. His passion for people and
the arts have made him a versatile person
and performer. Clark made his NY Opera
Debut as ‘Sportin Life’ with New York City
Opera in 2000. Shortly after, he portrayed
the character in the Emmy Nominated Live
at Lincoln Center broadcast of Porgy and
Bess - the New York Times called him "a
limber Tenor with athleticism and grace".
Podcast: Inspirations by Dwayne.
www.youth-motivator.com. Much Love to
Vanguard for the opportunity to share this
amazing work of art.
Lisa Cortney
Fastrada
Lisa Cortney (Fastrada) is honored and
thrilled to make her VTC debut! She is a
classically trained ballerina, former FinTech
sales exec, entrepreneur, and very proud
momma of 3. After a twenty-year interlude,
Lisa returned to NJ stages in 2022 and
has since played some of musical theatre’s
most notable “triple threat” roles, such as
“Cassie” in A Chorus Line, “Charity” in
Sweet Charity, “Linda” in The Wedding
Singer and “Fastrada” in Pippin, which she
is elated to resurrect with the brilliant team
at Vanguard! Other recent credits include
Elf the Musical (Emily) and Nine
(Claudia). Lisa shares her love of dance
and music as a private ballet coach and
cycle instructor at Life Time. AAA&T, thank
you with all my heart for your love, endless
support, and encouragement to live my
passion. @lisacortney
Jared Mazeika
Lewis/Player
Janice Lynn
Berthe
Janice Lynn (Berthe) is a familiar face to
NJ/NY theater and TV circuits as well as Six
Flags Great Adventure, and a National Tour-
ing Company of Pippin, appearing (as
Fastrada) in major cities along the coast
from NY to LA. Among over 4 dozen lead-
ing-lady credits are roles such as Aldonza/
Man of La Mancha, Reno Sweeney/
Anything Goes, Gladys Calhoun/Memphis,
Velma Von Tussle/Hairspray, Bella/Lost in
Yonkers, Eliza Doolittle/My Fair Lady, Ann
Sullivan/Miracle Worker, Anita/West Side
Story, Hannah/Spitfire Grill, Mona Kent/
Dames at Sea, and the Scarecrow/Wizard
of Oz (NJACT nomination). Some TV/film
credits include Person of Interest, A Fire in
the Dark, Other People's Money, and Car-
lito's Way. Besides performing, Janice has
directed/choreographed over 60 play pro-
ductions for both Belleville Theatre Arts Co
and CDC Theatre. She is a retired national,
state, and local “Teacher of the Year” recipi-
ent, a Doctor of Math Ed, Dean, published
author, recording artist, and grandmother
of 8.
Catherine/Player
Brittany Smithson
Brandon Matute
Theo
Gina Alm
Pole Artist
Sabine Dworak
Pole Artist
Cameron Boucher-Kahn
Pole Artist
Yamil Rivera
Player/Lewis/u/s
Sarah Takash
Player/Silks Artist
Samara Danielle Steele
Player
Marcel Joshua
Player / Leading Player Alternate
Jayden White
Player / Pippin u/s
Carly Smith Quenqua
Player
Patrick Swailes Caldwell
Emilija Pavlovska
Rebecca Murillo
Fastrada u/s
Creative Team
Janeece Freeman Clark
Director and Producer
Janeece Freeman Clark (Founding Produc-
ing Artistic Director/Director) most recent-
ly directed the NY premiere of When We
Get There at the York Theater. She serves
on the musical theater faculty at Manhat-
tan School of Music and adjunct professor
of theater at Seton Hall University. As the
visionary founding artistic director of Van-
guard Theater, a prominent regional thea-
ter nestled in Montclair, NJ, Janeece pas-
sionately focuses on reshaping societal
and cultural narratives through theater
programming rooted in the principles of
Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism,
and Mentorship (DREAM).
Under Janeece's direction, Vanguard Thea-
ter breathes fresh life into mainstage musi-
cal theater productions by offering audiences a unique perspective through metic-
ulous attention to color and gender-
conscious casting. Her recent re-
envisioned productions of "Spring Awaken-
ing," "Next to Normal," and "Spitfire Grill"
took on new dimensions for casts and
audiences alike. Vanguard's commitment
to illuminating new voices shines brightly
through their New Voices Festival, featur-
ing works penned by underrepresented
voices, fostering their growth and promi-
nence on the Vanguard stage.
Under Clark’s direction - Everything is Fine
Until It's Not earned numerous awards at
both the NY Fringe Festival and the United
Solo Show Festival; her compelling piece,
A Portrait of Ray, delving into the life of the
legendary Ray Charles, continues to capti-
vate audiences regionally and is in devel-
opment for a NYC run; and Showtime with
Shakespeare premiered at George Street
Playhouse followed by two highly success-
ful national tours.
Janeece earned an honorable mention in
the 2022 Tony Awards in recognition of
Vanguard’s excellence in education and
she was recognized in early 2023 as the
recipient of the University of Michigan
School of Music, Theater and Dance Alum-
ni Award. She also recently completed a
short-term theater residency at her alma
mater.
Janeece serves on the executive board of
the New Jersey Theater Alliance, a coalition
of over 75 esteemed regional theaters
across the state of New Jersey. She re-
ceived her bachelor's degree from the
University of Michigan and master's de-
grees from Rider University/Westminster.
@janeecefreemanclark1