Chet Walker News

Like most theatre enthusiasts, I've always enjoyed Stephen Schwartz's score for PIPPIN, with "Magic To Do" and "Corner Of The Sky" easily being my favorite songs. That being said, the original production of the show (which, admittedly, I knew only from the VHS recording of the original Broadway cast, and a low-budget college production I saw) never resonated with me. While the opening of the show was always exciting, the show lost its glitter after the first few scenes. Then, in 2013, when I took a front-row seat at New York's Music Box Theatre to catch the celebrated Broadway revival, I found myself lost in this version's newly polished magic. The revival had won me over, and eventually I made two more trips back to New York (to the same seats) for two additional performances.

PIPPIN does what musical theatre ought to do: hooks you with a great opening number, gives you characters to love and hate, treats your senses with song, dance, costuming, sets and lights and offers fresh perspective on a timeless theme.

Presenting both emerging and esteemed dance artists from across the U.S., Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival's Inside/Out Performance Series will return to the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage at the breathtaking Marcia & Seymour Simon Performance Space today, June 24-August 29.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that ON YOUR FEET!, KINKY BOOTS, FANCY NANCY and PIPPIN will make 1776 half-price tickets available through the League of Chicago Theatres' Hot Tix program Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 5.  Tickets will be available to select performances in July, for purchase only through Hot Tix booth locations (72 E. Randolph St., 108 N State St., or 163 E. Pearson St.) or at www.HotTix.org while supplies last. Broadway In Chicago has developed this offer in conjunction with the League of Chicago Theatres which provides services and support to over 200 Chicagoland theaters.

Presenting both emerging and esteemed dance artists from across the U.S., Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival's Inside/Out Performance Series will return to the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage at the breathtaking Marcia & Seymour Simon Performance Space June 24-August 29.

Experience the thrilling 2013 Tony Award-winning musical PIPPIN - described as "An eye-popping, jaw-dropping, VISUALLY STUNNING extravaganza. THE THRILL OF THE SEASON!" by NY1.

'What is my purpose in life?' is a question asked by many people as they ponder the reasons for their existence. Finding one's raison d'etre could be the ever-elusive challenge, and should you never discover it, you are in good company. It is an existential question that lingers eternally for people who really want to have a life that matters. Now on stage at The Fisher Theatre is the musical PIPPIN, the tale of existential woe.

Experience the thrilling 2013 Tony Award-winning musical PIPPIN! Described as 'An eye-popping, jaw-dropping, VISUALLY STUNNING extravaganza and THE THRILL OF THE SEASON!' by NY1, PIPPIN will appear at Detroit's Fisher Theatre, tonight, June 9, through June 21.

The brilliant Klea Blackhurst repeated her starring role as the saucy, wisecracking housemaid Hazel in a new musical based on Ted Key's cartoon character Hazel - best known for the 1961-66 TV sitcom of the same name. Titled 'Hazel: A Musical Maid in America', the four Lab Workshop performances were May 28 and 29 at the Lyric Theatre Performance Space in Times Square. Scroll down for a peek at the cast onstage!

Broadway In Chicago has announced that individual tickets for the Tony Award winning Broadway Musical PIPPIN will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 29.  PIPPIN will play Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W Randolph) for two weeks only, July 29 - August 9, 2015.

Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking attendance of Festival 2014, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival opens its 2015 season in June.

May 26, 2015 - (Becket, MA) Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking attendance of Festival 2014, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival opens its 2015 season in June. Highlights of Festival 2015 include Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host, a special dance and radio stage production starring Ira Glass, host of This American Life; the return of Nederlands Dans Theater 2; the world premiere of American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Daniil Simkin's INTENSIO; Cuban contemporary ensemble Malpaso Dance Company, performing with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble; and the launch of Martha Graham Dance Company's 90th Anniversary, including a world premiere by eminent choreographer Mats Ek. 

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Baltimore, New Orleans, Detroit, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include MARLEY at Center Stage, MASTER CLASS in New Orleans, and SOLD in Arizona, just to name a few.

All of PIPPIN'S performers bring energy, extraordinary ability and talent to this revival!

Akhenaten: The Musical, a new Broadway bound show Created and Directed by Hisham Abdel Khalek, Book by Hisham Abdel Khalek and Mohamed Metwally (Lyrics), Music by Hesham Nazih  and Choreographed by Multi-Award Winner Chet Walker (Pippin, Fosse), will receive a invitation-only reading on Thursday May 21, 2015 at 2PM.

Loosely based on the fictitious life of Pippin the Hunchback, this musical tells the story of the young prince Pippin, Heir to the Frankish throne, who is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the un-extraordinary moments that happen every day.

A concert highlighting songs from the epic Broadway-Bound musical 'Akhenaten the Musical' is slated for tonight, May 1st at The Triad.

The starry lineup is now complete for the concert highlighting songs from the epic Broadway-Bound musical 'Akhenaten the Musical' on May 1st at The Triad. The Tony Nominee for Motown, Charl Brown, will join Broadway favorites N'Kenge (Motown the Musical, Sondheim on Sondheim) and Ted Keegan (Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd). Also previously announced to perform were Seph Stanek (Naked Boys Singing), John Lucas, Sahar Milani, Alia Munsch, and Erik Ransom.

The producers of the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical PIPPIN are pleased to announce that Tony Nominated, ADRIENNE BARBEAU will play the role of 'Berthe' in the national tour of PIPPIN in select cities! PIPPIN comes to the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts tonight, April 28 - May 3, 2015.

When the curtain hiding the big top is dropped after the opening verses of PIPPIN's first song, it reveals one of the most stunning visual tableaus you will ever see on stage. Acrobats, contortionists, clowns, and dancers line the colorful stage in a dazzling array of theatrical magic. However, as breath-taking as the opening scene is, the musical's impact runs far deeper than just its attractive surface. The show possesses palpable wit, passion, emotion, and a message that should impact theatre-goers of all ages. PIPPIN is, by far, the most exhilarating touring show to come through The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in its first season as host of Orlando's Broadway Series. This visually and emotionally satisfying gem runs through this Sunday, April 26th; don't miss your chance to experience this beautiful corner of the musical theatre sky.