Flippin’ for Pippin
Pippin
A Theater Review
So my current paramour was really excited when I told him he’d be escorting me see “Pippin.”
Too excited.
I should’ve known why.
“Sure, why not? Who wouldn’t want to meet Scottie Pippen? Chicago Bulls extraordinaire and seven-time NBA All-Star?” he asked.
Oy! Welcome to my world.
Currently playing at the Performing Artists Collective Alliance in Erie, the classic show, “Pippin,” relates the story of a young prince who seeks to do something significant with his life.
Is it being a scholar? A warrior? A pursuer of female flesh? Even a king?
Nope. Strike four.
We follow this pilgrim’s existential progress until he finally finds his place—where few would expect—but hey, if it makes him happy, right?
Yes, Virginia there is (well, actually was) a Pippin, the son of King Charlemagne during the Dark Ages. But his name was actually Pepin or “Pippin the Hunchback” and there are so many historical inaccuracies about the Frankish prince in this musical one wonders why creators (book author Roger O. Hirson with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) didn’t just create a wholly original character?
(Warning Slacker Kids: Don’t do your Pippin history report based on this show!)
Directed and choreographed by Kate Neubert-Lechner, “Pippin” is an odd melange: A musical comedy based on an actual person, yet rife with historical inaccuracies and anachronisms and characters that break the fourth wall to address the audience. Set against a red-and-yellow striped background resembling a circus tent, posters are affixed to them that list the actors and their roles; meanwhile, most female performers are scantily dressed as trapeze artists or big top whatnots.
Now toss in one act of patricide and you got a speecy-spicy Stone Soup!
Yeesh!
Fave tunes from the musical?
Sung by Pippin, “Corner of the Sky” is a beautiful ballad performed by someone seeking his life’s purpose. “Miss the Man” by Pippin’s love interest is a tender song of loss and regret while “Simple Joys” is a fun exercise that extolls enjoying life’s elementary pleasures.
As Pippin, Aaron Holman does well as the wide-eyed, innocent wanderer who seeks a worthwhile existence beyond life’s confusions. As “The Leading Player,” SaNae Stephens serves as the ringmaster/narrator/martinet who strikes fear in her fellow ensemble members—especially Catherine (Maeve Kirby), Pippin’s love interest, whom she vehemently corrects and berates for any detours from the script. With Anna Chivallete as hotsy-totsy scheming stepmom Fastrada, Lisa Simonian as Berthe, Pippin’s witty grandmother and life advisor, and Daniel Stripp as Charlemagne, as the bold king and father to a perplexed Pippin add to them the show’s remaining cast and all perform with brio.
Frankly, the finale to “Pippin” left this gal scratching her weave, but the overall show made up for the confusing conclusion.
But having been performed since its opening in 1972 and being the 37th longest-running Broadway show, who’s this Erie gal to kvetch?
See you in the balcony! XOXO!
***Thea Tah
Pippin continues through September 15. For more information, visit www.paca1505.org
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