I love a big, splashy Broadway musical, and Pippin the Musical is exactly that. It’s also one of my most memorable childhood theatrical experiences in the world. The music, the staging, the costumes, the set. I still have vivid images of seeing the show,, even though it was community theater, and I was no more than 10 at the time. I also remember the music and have had the songs in my head for 30 years. Needless to say, I was curious how the new production on Broadway would pan out and compare to these majestic memories floating in my head.
The result? Big, splashy, memorable, AMAZING. It’s a revival that everyone should see, regardless of having seen it before, regardless of age. This is one show I can whole-heartedly recommend for the whole family. It’s pizazz, music, glitz, big dance numbers. It’s not exactly wholesome but there is nothing that a child over the age of 7 or 8 can’t experience, and this is one extravaganza you’ll want to share with your children. It has circus acts, gymnastics, rock songs, magic and soul. The show is a reminder that we should stop looking for something better than what we have – it’s all right HERE. That is the perfect message for kids of all ages to take with them.
Pippin, the Diane Paulus revival of the musical by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson, will hold a special place in your heart. It’s faithful to the original yet different, but it still has the same magic it offered many moons ago. The Leading Player, played by Patina Miller, adds an extra layer of spectacular to the show, and every scene with her presence is nothing short of amazing. We are spectators as she guides Pippin through life, hanging from the heir to a throne to a regular man. Along the way, there is fire, trapeze acts, love, living on a farm and a return to where he started to figure out what makes him happy. The actors are all stunning – from Terrance Mann as King, Charlotte D’Amboise as Queen, to Rachel Bay Jones as his love, Catherine to the phenomenal Tovah Feldshuh who I adore. This new revival of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz‘s dark and groovy coming-of-age musical premiered at the American Repertory Theater, where Paulus (Hair, Porgy and Bess) is artistic director The staging incorporates circus choreography and acrobatics by Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (7 Fingers).
You can catch it on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre. Tickets and info can be found here.
I’m thrilled to be giving away a PIPPIN poster and cast album!
To win, just comment below and let me know your favorite Pippin memory!
You can get additional entries by doing one of or more of the following: – Follow The Culture Mom on Facebook. – Follow The Culture Mom on Twitter. – Follow The Culture Mom on Pinterest.
Winner will be selected randomly. This giveaway will end on Monday, November 11th at noon EST. Winner swill be posted here, on the Culture Mom Facebook page and via email and will have 24 hours to accept their prize.
Disclosure: I was not compensated to write this post, however I received tickets and a copy of the album to facilitate this review.
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Ooooo! Pick me! Pick me! My favorite Pippin memory was playing Catherine in the production at Buck’s Rock Camp. Though, kissing ON STAGE when I was 14, in front of the ENTIRE CAMP was a bit…um…awkward…
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following on twitter @nyclaurenbeth
I am a fan on FB
I love listening to the cast recording
I follow you on FB and Twitter (I’m @EstelleSErasmus). My favorite Pippin memory is seeing it on a Blockbuster VCR tape and falling in love with the show-it’s my all time favorite broadway show. I used to head to a job I disliked in my car while playing “No Time At All” at top pitch and singing along. It always gave me hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Estelle Sobel Erasmus
I follow you on Pinterest and Twitter via @pli1018
My favorite Pippin involves my parents. The first Broadway show they ever saw as a couple was the original production of Pippin with Ben Vereen. So, for their anniversary earlier this year, my sister and I surprised them with tickets to the revival! It was a phenomenal show of course and my parents absolutely adored it.
The best Pippin memory was when my children were telling me about the show. Now I have grandchildren and I would like to go with them to see Pippin.
I would love to bring my family to this great show
i follow you on twitter as @madamerkf
i follow you on facebook as wendy wallach zephier
I remember seeing the original Broadway production on television with Ben Vereen when I was about 16 or so. Made me fall in love with musicals, especially this one!
My favorite Pippin memory is seeing this production for the first time in June with a good friend of mine. We were just so blown away by EVERYTHING about it and during intermission, we agreed that it is definitely one of the best shows we’ve seen.
You are the winner! Congrats.
My favorite Pippin memory has to be attending Andrea Martin’s final performance. Amazing energy in the theatre that show!
My favorite Pippin memory would have to be grooving along to the familiar Fosse choreography in the back of the house. Thank you standing room!
I follow you on twitter from (at)movidude74
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Being on the cast recording is up there, but I am gonna say the first time I saw Andrea Martin’s performance on stage. One of the few times that something not only lived up to the hype but exceeded it
I also follow you on Pinterest. By the way, this page says the contest ends the 4th? But you just tweeted about it, and this post was made on the 4th? I’m confused. 🙂
And, I follow you on Twitter (@ladystardust25).
I already follow you on Facebook.
My favorite Pippin memory has to be when I got to be one of the hundreds of folks who sang the “singalong” part of Andrea Martin’s song “No Time At All” for the new cast recording!! It was such a thrill to be a part of a litte bit of Broadway history, and makes me smile when I listen to that song on the cd now. 🙂