Breaking: Matthew James Thomas Takes Over PIPPIN for Denver Tour Launch

Matthew James Thomas, who originated the role of PIPPIN in the current 2013 Tony Award winning revival, will perform the role of PIPPIN when the show launches its tour in Denver on September 6 and will play the entire Denver engagement. Kyle Selig will be taking a medical leave of absence for vocal rest from the PIPPIN tour. This all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers). PIPPIN plays The Buell Theatre September 6 through 20 only (Media Night: Sept.10). Tickets are on sale now at Denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

Matthew James Thomas created this role in the 2013 original Tony Award winning production of PIPPIN on Broadway and at American Repertory Theater. He also appeared on Broadway as Peter Parker in Spider-Man. He dedicates his performance to the late Jack Abrahams, beloved friend and vocal coach. Matthew's debut EP of original music No Sound At All is available wherever music is sold digitally online.

In addition to Matthew James Thomas as Pippin, the cast includes Lucie Arnaz as Berthe, Sasha Allen (a finalist on the 4th season on NBC's "The Voice") as Leading Player, Tony Award winner John Rubinstein (created the role of "Pippin" in the 1972 original Broadway production) as Charles, Sabrina Harper (Pippin, original Broadway Revival cast) as Fastrada and Kristine Reese (Wicked on tour) as Catherine. The company also includes Skyler Adams,Sascha Bachman, Bradley Benjamin, Callan Bergman, Dmitrious Bistrevsky, Mark Burrell, Mathew deGuzman, Fernando Dudka, Mirela Golinska, Kelsey Jamieson, Preston Jamieson, Lisa Karlin, Alan Kelly,Melodie Lamoreux, Zachary Mackiewicz, Lucas Schultz, Tory Trowbridge, Mackenzie Warren and Borris York.

With a book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, PIPPIN features music supervision and arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo, orchestrations by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman, scenic design by Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by Tony Award nominee Dominique Lemieux, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Award nominees Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm.

PIPPIN tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory? The show is noted for many Broadway standards including "Magic To Do," "Corner of the Sky," "Glory," "No Time at All," "Morning Glow," and "Love Song."

The original production of PIPPIN, directed by Bob Fosse, premiered on Broadway in 1972. It won five Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, and ran for close to 2000 performances before closing in 1977. PIPPIN is now in its second smash year at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street; NYC). This production of PIPPINdebuted at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, MA where it ran December 5, 2012 to January 20, 2013. It opened on Broadway on April 25, 2013 and went on to win four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical. The show also received Best Revival of a Musical honors from the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League. The New Broadway Cast Recording for PIPPIN is available on Ghostlight Records.

Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan present the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) production of PIPPIN with Lisa Matlin, Kyodo Tokyo, A&A Gordon/Brunish Trinchero, Tom Smedes/Peter Stern,Broadway Across America, Independent Presenters Network, Norton Herrick, Allen Spivak, Rebecca Gold,Joshua Goodman, Steve McManus, David Robbins/Bryan S. Weingarten, Philip Hagemann/MurrayRosenthal, Jim Kierstead/Carlos Arana/Myla Lerner, Hugh Hayes/Jamie Cesa/Jonathan Reinis, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia R. Klausner, Ben Feldman, Square 1 Theatrics, Wendy Federman/Carl Moellenberg, Bruce Robert Harris/Jack W. Batman, Infinity Theatre Company/Michael Rubenstein and Michael A. Alden/Dale Badway/Ken Mahoney.

Join us... for this magical, unforgettable production The New York Times declared "Astonishing! A PIPPIN for the 21st Century."

Single tickets for PIPPIN start at $25. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticketing Services at 303.893.4100(TTY: 303.893.9582). Groups of 10 or more: 303.446.4829. Purchase in person at The Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at denvercenter.org.

PIPPIN in Denver is sponsored by Comcast and is included in The Denver Center for the Performing Arts 2014/15 Broadway season, which is sponsored by United Airlines and Vectra Bank. Media sponsorship is provided by The Denver Post and CBS4. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

For more information, visit PippinTheMusical.com