PIPPIN Returns to Albuquerque For a Limited Run

After a nine-year hiatus, the Tony-winning Pippin is back with a new production by Landmark Musicals (which presented that 2010 production) in eight performances beginning March 16 at the Rodey Theatre on the University of New Mexico campus.

With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary.

Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated version, says producer Myra Cochnar, "continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world."

Landmark first presented Pippin in 2010 at the North 4th Theater. Its stars, Jonathan Ragsdale as Pippin and Travis Ward-Osborne as the Leading Player, have gone on to professional work, the former on cruise ships, the latter on Broadway.

The new production has Trey Caperton, a senior at Albuquerque Academy and star of Landmark's The Pirates of Penzance, as Pippin and Hasani Olujimi, who starred in Landmark's La Cage aux Folles and Kiss Me, Kate, as the Leading Player.

Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.

Original choreography was by Bob Fosse and Landmark's resident choreographer, Louis Giannini, has Fosse in mind.

Pippin opens Saturday, March 16, for eight performances. The director is Gary Bearly, music director is Darby Fegan. The production design is by Dahl Delu, Landmark's Emmy award-winning resident production designer.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Reserved seats are $22, $24 and $26 with a $2 discount for students and seniors, For tickets, go to www.unmtickets.com, or call 595-925-5858, or visit the box office in the UNM bookstore, the Dreamstyle Arena (the Pit) or the Popejoy/Rodey box office before the performance.

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