Auditions
Alma Show
Synopsis
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July 30-August 23, 2009 Alma Theater.
Thursdays-Saturdays 7 pm, Sundays 2 and 7 pm
Book by Roger O. Hirson. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. PIPPIN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. 212-541-4684, fax 212-397-4684. http://www.MTIShows.com
Director Victoria Bussert reinvents this timeless pop musical featuring music from the award-winning composer of Wicked, Godspell and Disney's Pocahontas.
PLOT
Pippin is the lively coming-of-age story of Charlemagne's (King Charles') oldest son. The Leading Player invites the audience to join him in a story - 'the most mysterious tale with magic, merriment, lust, murder, holy war, and a climax never before seen on a public stage' - a story about a boy prince searching for fulfillment ('Magic To Do'). Pippin has returned home from the University of Padua where he has spent time quenching his tremendous thirst for knowledge. He is not at all interested in wasting his life in pursuit of common things: he sets out on an ambitious quest for an extraordinary life ('Corner of the Sky').
King Charles is preoccupied with preparations for the war with the Visigoths ('War Is A Science'). Although initially denying Pippin's request to become a soldier, he relents and Pippin joins his half-brother Lewis in the campaign. The Leading Player leads the troupe in a mock battle that glorifies warfare and violence ('Glory'). Left alone, Pippin realizes war is a terrible thing and flees to the countryside. The Leading Player tells the audience of Pippin's travels through the country until he stops at his exiled grandmother's estate ('Simple Joys'). There, Berthe, his grandmother, and Charles' mother (exiled by Fastrada, Pippin's stepmother) advise him 'Don't do too much planning, and don't do too much thinking. Just live.' ('No Time At All'). Pippin takes this advice and decides to search for something more lighthearted ('With You') but soon discovers that relationships without love leave one 'empty and unfulfilled.'
The Leading Player suggests Pippin should fight tyranny and informs him that his father is slaughtering thousands people who speak out against him. Pippin plans a revolution. Fastrada is delighted to learn that both Charles and Pippin might perish as a result of this plot, thereby opening the door for her beloved son, Lewis, to become king. Fastrada arranges for the murder of Charles at the Chapel of Arles and Pippin falls victim to her scheming ('Spread A Little Sunshine')
While Charles is praying with the monks, Pippin enters in disguise, confronts his father and strikes him to the ground with knife. The monks all rise and bow to their new king ('Morning Glow'). It appears to be a time of new hope for everyone.
Pippin becomes the King of the Holy Roman Empire and prepares to hear petitions from the kingdom's people. He gives money to the poor, land to the peasants, and abolishes taxes and the army. Unfortunately, when the Infidel Huns attack, Pippin has no money or army to fight back. Soon, Pippin is forced to revoke all the promises he made, and as a result, becomes very unpopular. At his wit's end, he goes to pray at the body of his dead father. Without thinking, he asks his father whether he could have his knife back. Charles complies with his request, takes the crown from Pippin and leaves. Pippin is left without direction until the Leading Player inspires him ('On the Right Track').
Pippin stumbles upon a large estate owned by Catherine, a widow with a small boy, Theo. She finds Pippin lying on the road like a discarded rag ('There He Was'). It is obvious he has lost the will to live. She tries to interest him in life and starts by telling Pippin about herself ('Kind of Woman'). Catherine sends her young son, Theo, to talk with Pippin but he continues to show no interest in anyone or anything. She finds out that he is completely in despair because he has an overwhelming need to be fulfilled and is not. Catherine asks for Pippin's help in running the estate, which he agrees to do. At first, Pippin thinks himself above such boring manorial duties as sweeping, repairs, and milking cows ('Extraordinary') but eventually he comforts Theo on the death of his pet ('Prayer For A Duck'), and warms up to Catherine ('Love Song').
As time goes by, Pippin feels that he must leave the estate to continue searching for his purpose. Catherine is heartbroken ('I Guess I'll Miss the Man') as she reflects on how he's changed her life.
All alone and feeling very discouraged, Pippin is surrounded by The Leading Player and the Band of Players who suggest he complete the most perfect act ever: the Finale. They tell Pippin to jump into a box of fire, light himself up and 'become one with the flame.' Pippin is reluctant ('Finale') and is stopped by his natural misgivings and by the woman playing Catherine. Pippin comes to the realization that her home was the only place where he was truly happy ('Magic Shows and Miracles'). Pippin realizes he has given up his extraordinary purpose for the simplest and most ordinary life of all, and he is finally a happy man.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
Pippin was first presented on October 23, 1972 by Stuart Ostrow at the Imperial Theatre in New York City with Ben Vereen (LEADING PLAYER), John Rubinstein (PIPPIN), Eric Berry (CHARLES), Christopher Chadman (LEWIS), Leland Palmer (FASTRADA), John Mineo (MUSICIAN), Roger Hamilton (THE HEAD), Irene Ryan (BERTHE), Richard Korthaze (BEGGAR), PAUL SOLEN (PEASANT), Gene Foote (NOBLE), Roger Hamilton (FIELD MARSHALL), Jill Clayburgh (CATHERINE), Shane Nickerson (THEO), and PLAYERS (Candy Brown, Ann Reinking, Jennifer Nairn-Smith, Kathryn Doby, Pamela Sousa). During the original run, Irene Ryan (Granny on 'The Beverly Hillbillies'), who played BERTHE, collapsed and died after performing the big showstopper, 'No Time At All.'
Pippin is the 29th longest-running Broadway musical in musical theatre history and was partially financed by Motown Records.
In 1981, a stage production was videotaped for Canadian television. Ben Vereen reprised the role of LEADING PLAYER, while William Katt played the role of PIPPIN. They were joined by Martha Raye as BERTHE and Chita Rivera as FASTRADA.
AWARDS
Pippin was nominated for 11 Tony Awards (best musical, book, original score. actress, featured actress, costume design) and won five Tonys in 1973: best actor (Ben Vereen), best scenic design (Tony Walton), best lighting design (Jules Fisher), best choreography (Bob Fosse), and best direction of a musical (Bob Fosse). Pippin won an additional seven awards that year: Drama Desk Awards (Bob Fosse for outstanding director and outstanding choreography, Ben Vereen for outstanding performance, Tony Walton for outstanding set design, and Patricia Zipprodt for outstanding costume design); John Rubinstein was a Theatre World Award winner for best debut performance; and Bob Fosse won a Drama Desk Award for best director. Stephen Schwartz was nominated for a Grammy Award for best score from an original cast show album.
THE AUTHORS
Artistic Staff
Theater Co-Artistic Directors: Victoria Bussert^ and Russ Borski
Directed by Victoria Bussert^
Music Direction by Jodie Ricci
Choreography by Martín Céspedes^
Production Design by Russ Borski
Sound Design by Stan Kozak
^Member, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
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