![]() ![]() Paulus's relentlessly aggressive staging, which is big, noisy and mostly humorless, a "Pippin" that looks as if it had been born not in Cambridge but Las Vegas.īen Brantley, The New York Times: This is a "Pippin" for the 21st century, when it takes more than style to hold the attention of a restless, sensation-hungry audience.Fosse's original dancing is evoked, largely stripped of its sensuality, by the choreographer Chet Walker.And the connection between storytelling and style, between performer and self-expression, is only occasionally in evidence.Ms. Patina Miller, lately of "Sister Act," is the Leading Player, a role created four decades ago by Ben Vereen, and her in-your-face performance sets the tone for Ms. Walker's dances, which are in any case devoid of Mr. The circus performers are sensational, but their antics overwhelm Mr. Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal: Does it come off? Up to a point. These are by Paulus (who braved more sacred icons when she took on "Hair" and "The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess") and "circus creator" Gypsy Snider, founder of Canada's circus troupe Les 7 doigts de la main. Linda Winer, Newsday: No matter how one feels about Stephen Schwartz's sappy 1972 hit, this production pumps up the facile material with nonstop, fearless brainstorms. He's got the looks, the lungs and the abs, all of which the audience gets to enjoy multiple times. She proves perfectly suited to Fosse's complicated footwork.Matthew James Thomas.announces himself as a new Broadway leading man. It allows for a Big Top theme - think fire jugglers, teeterboards, knife throwing and contortionists - but also teases out the wandering nature of the mysterious players and zooms up the physicality of the story.She's also managed to tease out the connection between the intricate dance style of the late Fosse - Chet Walker choreographs this in the master's style - with the equally meticulous needs of acrobatics.Miller has got a manic grin on her face, sings with power and has a menacing air. Mark Kennedy, Associated Press: Paulus has transformed the players into a troupe of circus performers, and it's a stroke of genius. Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News: The brilliant new production of "Pippin," a 1972 coming-of-age tale, boasts everything you could dream of in a musical - including Stephen Schwartz's terrifically tuneful songs - and a few things you couldn't even imagine. Review Roundup Courtesy of Broadwayworld: MTI is delighted to heap even more praise upon the show's creators for their work on this fantastic new ngratulations on a magical revival! Here's a re-cap of the award nominations and reviews to date: This captivating production features sizzling choreography in the style of BOB FOSSE and breathtaking acrobatics by LES 7 DOIGTS DE LA MAIN, the creative force behind the nationwide sensation TRACES.Ī perennial favorite in the MTI catalog, PIPPIN opened on Apat the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews and a host of award nominations. Straight from an acclaimed run at Boston's American Repertory Theater, PIPPIN is directed by DIANE PAULUS, director of the 20 Tony Award winners for Best Musical Revival (HAIR and THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS). ![]() Hirson, PIPPIN tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. and this season, PIPPINreturns to Broadway for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago! With a beloved score by Tony Award® nominee STEPHEN SCHWARTZ (GODSPELL, WICKED) that includes the favorites "Magic to Do," "Morning Glow," "Glory" and "Corner of the Sky," and a stellar book by Roger O. As Pippin's love interest, Rachel Bay Jones is adorable and touching."The season's Best Musical, jazz hands down!" - USA TodayĮverything has its season. Terrence Mann and Charlotte d'Amboise, married in real life, are terrific as Pippin's father and conniving stepmother. He's a supple singer and turns the yearning "Corner of the Sky" into a musical caress. And they do.īritish-born Matthew James Thomas, who covered the role of Peter Parker at "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," is an endearing Pippin. The Hula-Hooping, whip-cracking, pelvis-popping Miller is soulful, sinewy and sensationally funny. It's the role that made Ben Vereen a star. The cast of actors merges seamlessly with the seasoned strong men, acrobats and aerialists.Īs the Leading Player or, in this case, ringmaster, Patina Miller trades a "Sister Act" nun's habit for Spandex. ![]() Gypsy Snider, of Les 7 doigts de la main, created the awesome circus stunts. Life is about delicate balances, death-defyting leaps, juggling acts and improbable lifts. Grandma (Andrea Martin) teaches Pippin (Matthew James Thomas, r.) it's 'Time to Start Living.' (©2012 Joan Marcus) ![]()
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