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.
PIPPIN soars into Atlanta's Fox Theater May 5-10, 2015. Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, this new staging of PIPPIN incorporates circus acrobatic tricks as well as Bob Fosse's iconic choreography.
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.
For 40-some years now, Stephen Schwartz's Pippin, the musical about an inquisitive young man in search of meaning in his life - and, notwithstanding, the actual meaning of life - has enraptured audiences, inspired legions of theater devotees and provided any number of young men (and a not insignificant number of young women, either, we suppose) with their go-to audition song in 'Corner of the Sky.'
Tony Award-winning PIPPIN is an acrobatic, twisty, flying, leaping, twirling revival that wowed the Orpheum Theatre crowd in Minneapolis and provides thoughtful insight into the thing called life.
PIPPIN, the Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Roger O. Hirson (book) magical show is now on stage at The Palace Theatre. It tells a modern version of the mythical tale of Pippin, the oldest son of King Charlemagne, and his search for purpose and identity.
Combining acrobatics with choreography (by Chet Walker) that recalls Bob Fosse's original work on the show, the current touring company of PIPPIN(book by Roger O. Hirson with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) at the Peabody Opera House provides quite an enjoyable spectacle. There's a circus-like quality (courtesy of Gypsy Singer) to this presentation that's unexpected, and even a bit magical, making it more suitable for the younger set than some versions, even though most of its sexier elements are still firmly intact. It's certainly well worthy of your time and attention.
The Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical Pippin presents the U.S. national tour, which runs today, Nov. 25, through Nov. 30 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
The producers of the Tony-winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning November 4 at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. PIPPIN makes its Washington, D.C., premiere at the National Theatre December 16 through January 4, with Massey in the role.
The Nederlander Organization and the producers of the Tony Winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning Tuesday, Nov 4th at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. He will be replacing Matthew James Thomas who takes his final bow on Sunday, November 2nd.
Arguably, director Diane Paulus' greatest triumph to date is the spectacular new production of PIPPIN, the 2013 Tony-winning revival of Stephen Schwartz's trippy but winsome musical about the angst-riddled but hyper-aspirational young son of King Charlemagne, and his erratic, sometimes frustrating journey of self-discovery. In her marvelously inventive, re-imagined update---now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through November 9---Paulus brilliantly orients the topsy-turvy machinations of the entire story within the canvas-lined confines of a big-top circus. Here, the over-the-top performance troupe that 'guides' our hero's search for self-fulfillment aren't merely just actors (or 'players') but are also all agile, athletic circus performers that tumble, leap, and balance themselves for our (and Pippin's) entertainment pleasure. As expected, both Pippin and the audience are equally lulled into submission.
In 1972 Pippin opened on Broadway and became one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, closing in 1977. Stephen Schwartz's bubbling optimistic tunes made the surreal and sensual mood of the piece an ultra-pleasant experience for theatre goers. One actually left the theatre humming the score. Throughout the dreamlike texture of Pippin's quest for his 'Corner of the Sky', however, there blooms a simplistic, timeless message that reverberates to this day. So, even though this brand new revival set in a circus big top is visually more opulent with high swinging artists and feats of magic, the pieces of the puzzle do fit into place - original director Bob Fosse would approve - and the play's substance is untarnished. Director Diane Paulus may take a bow for her simply stunning ambition of embellishment. I prefer the simplicity of the original, which allows your imagination to take flight, but must own up to enjoying most of the new version. How can you not, as the Fosse-esque style with acrobatics added on make for a visually splendid evening of dance and action.
The entire national touring production of PIPPIN, which launched in Denver last month, has been dedicated to Denver Center for the Performing Arts President Randy Weeks, who died suddenly on Oct. 9 in London.
SHN previously announced that Andrea Martin, who won the 2013 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for creating the role of 'Berthe' in the Broadway production, would reprise the role in the final two weeks (beginning today, October 7 and running through October 19) of the San Francisco engagement at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre.
Stars Sasha Allen (Broadway's Hair) and Matthew James Thomas (Broadway's Pippin, Spider-Man) stopped by KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area News yesterday to discuss the musical.
