The original Broadway production of the musical Pippin premiered in 1972 and ran until 1977. In 1973, Ben Vereen won the Tony Award as the Leading Player in Pippin. A revival of Pippin in 2013 won another Tony Award for Patina Miller, who played Ben Vereen’s role. It received ten Tony nominations and won four, including Best Revival of a Musical.
American dramatist and screenwriter Roger O. Hirson wrote the book for Pippin and was nominated for a Tony Award. Another member of this stellar team is native Chicagoan Bob Fosse, who won the 1973 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Pippin. The jazz hands and “Razzle Dazzle” style choreographed dance numbers in Brightside’s production are distinctive and sterling, Fosse. He is my favorite choreographer. Brightside Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass brings Pippin to life with a cast of seventeen and a live orchestra of seven from June 13-29. Cass has staged more than 30 productions for Brightside including such standouts as Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess in Concert, A little Night Music, and Gypsy. This is a spectacular, not-to-be-missed, finale show for Brightside’s thirteenth season. Opening night was ironically on Friday the thirteenth.
The Great Tony Award-winning composer Stephan Schwartz (Godspell, 1971); (The Magic Show, 1974); (Wicked, 2003), and many other successes, first conceived of Pippin while still in college at Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon’s SCOTCH’N’SODA Theatre group first performed it. It is the perfect musical for Brightside Theatre’s professional company. The intimate two-hundred-seat three-sided thrust stage arrangement allows the performers and audience to engage more directly, which is critical to this Pippin production. In her debut as Leading Player in the Brightside Troupe, Asia Posey does Patina Miller’s role proud. She adroitly captivates the audience with her style and charisma. She compels us to become part of the show. In addition, we are invited to join in the chorus of “No Time at All,” which the audience sings very well. Thomas Ferraro as Lewis plays the part of the stereotypical, narcissistic, dumb jock to the hilt.
Pippin is a realistic musical about life in a fairy tale setting. It is set in Emperor Charlemagne’s France, yet its themes resonate with the here and now in America. Prince Pippin is Charlemagne’s eldest son, coming of age. He is on a sojourn to find himself, fulfillment, and an extraordinary life. This musical has no historical accuracy besides the names and medieval-style costumes. Stan Austin aptly fits the role of an obsessed mighty warrior and uninvolved father. Ironically, his profile asserts he is a distant relative of Charlemagne. His second wife, Fastrada, is portrayed by Michelle Bolliger, who is comically entertaining. She plays the money-grubbing, gold-digger, intent on making her son, simple Lewis, the next king.
The musical opens with the number “Magic to Do.” This Broadway-size cast of seventeen showcases stellar singers and dancers, including Kassidy Alderman, Matthew Andresen, Erol Ibramovic, Delaney Katz, Monica Romo, Jubilee Tai, Amanda Vinson, and Shane Alexander Brown–a standout dancer even among the other highly talented dancers. They relate the story of how Pippin runs away from the Royal Court to join their circus troupe seeking true meaning and happiness.
Tommy O’Brien as Pippin delights us with his beautiful, mesmerizing, expressive vocals. Cheryl Newman, Pippin’s doting grandmother, advises him on how to enjoy the pleasures of life. Pippin has tried to find glory in war, sexual depravity, and as a nobleman. Then Catherine, a wealthy widow, portrayed by Meghan Kessel, finds him half dead and totally depressed. Her child, Theo, is played by Evelyn Dorough, a surprisingly versatile, skilled actress considering her youth. Catherine nurses him back to life. She plays her part with gentle sweetness and strength. Kessel and O’Brien’s duet “Love Song’ is an exquisite harmony. With Catherine, Pippin eventually finds his true love and rejects an immolating finale. The simple life of hard work, familial love, honor, and loyalty is not ordinary but a truly extraordinary, fulfilling way to live.
I had never experienced Brightside Theatre before, but found it welcoming and comfortable. We sat before a fun-loving cheering crowd for choreographer Aria Brynne, and this praise was well-deserved. The seven-piece orchestra, directed by Phil Videckis, had impeccable timing and play. Mitch Johnson is on the keyboard; Bass Damien Roque, Trumpet Joshua Hannan, Reeds, Madi Martinez, Guitar Corey Strode; and Percussion Bill Wargo. The supporting team of Arabella Zurbano (Scenic Charge), Cheryl Newman (Costume Design), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Design), Delaney Kosar (Prop Design), Tim Elliott (Sound Manager), and De Haddad (Stage Manager) presented an accomplished professional production.
Downtown Naperville is charming and has many diverse restaurants for every taste and budget. We had a lovely dinner at a nearby fine dining seafood establishment. Brightside Theatre has plenty of free parking on the street and at the next-door city park. A few blocks away, there is also a multi-level parking garage.
PIPPIN will be performed in the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S.Ellsworth, Naperville. Running time is two hours and fifteen minutes with one intermission. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors and are on sale now or by phone at: 630-447-TIXS (8497).
Photos Courtesy of: BrightSide Theatre production by CM Stage Photography and John Olson and Company
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