Kristine Reese News

It's pure musical theatre and its finest. Nothing is better than that.

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.

When the curtain first dropped so did my jaw and I was simply amazed at the sheer magnitude of this spectacle of a show!

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.

The air was crackling with excitement on opening night for the much anticipated revival of Pippin at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre. And for good reason. The show won four Tony Awards last year including Best Musical Revival, with Diane Paulus taking home the Tony for Best Director. Patina Miller as the Leading Player took home Best Actress, while Andrea Martin won Best Featured Actress. Not to be outdone, the national tour signed Sasha Allen, Lucie Arnaz, and John Rubinstein, not to mention Canada's circus troupe, Les 7 doigts de la main. Talk about the wow factor. Pippin is an exuberant, extravaganza of a show and it plays now through October 19 at SHN's Golden Gate Theatre.

SHN has 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, will reprise the role in the final two weeks (October 7-19) of the San Francisco engagement at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre.

Below, from the PIPPIN National Tour launch in Denver, 'In Focus' host Eden Lane brings us her full one-on-one with Sasha Allen (a finalist on the 4th season on THE VOICE) who portrays the 'Leading Player'. Click to watch the interview!

The national tour of Pippin launched in Denver this week, and host of 'In Focus' Eden Lane sat down for a one-on-one with composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz (GODSPELL, WICKED, Pippin, and more). Lane also met the director and driving force behind this re-imagined Pippin, Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus. This episode also includes highlights with cast members Matthew James Thomas as Pippin, Lucie Arnaz as Berthe, Sasha Allen (a finalist on the 4th season on THE VOICE) as Leading Player, and Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein, who created the role of Pippin in the 1972 original Broadway production. Click below to watch the interviews!

Sasha Allen and Matthew James Thomas (filling in for Kyle Selig,) Lucie Arnaz, and more lead the new national touring production of Pippin, now playing in Denver. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Matthew James Thomas, who originated the role of PIPPIN in the current 2013 Tony Award winning revival, will perform the role of PIPPIN when the show launches its tour in Denver on September 6 and will play the entire Denver engagement. Kyle Selig will be taking a medical leave of absence for vocal rest from thePIPPIN tour. This all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers). PIPPIN plays The Buell Theatre September 6 through 20 only (Media Night: Sept.10). Tickets are on sale now at Denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Milly and Abigail Shapiro at 54 Below, the red carpet at the Emmy Awards, NEWSIES final curtain call, and more!

Sasha Allen and Kyle Selig lead the new national touring production of PIPPIN, launching next week on Sept. 6 in Denver. Check out a first look at the pair in just-released publicity images, via the Denver Center below!

Kyle Selig stars as Pippin in the new national touring production of PIPPIN that launches in Denver on Sept. 6. Kyle sent his selfie video series, JOIN US: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PIPPIN that The Denver Center for the Performing Arts put together into a vlog to show fans a fun day in the life of Kyle and his show. In this video, he meets up with castmates (including Leading Player Sasha Allen), jugglers and even some comic sleight of video hand. Get a first look into rehearsals. Enjoy the view.