BWW Reviews: PIPPIN

PIPPIN, winner of a Tony Award for best Musical Revival, is at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, May 19-24. Tickets are on sale at Blumenthal Performing Arts Box Office: 704-372-1000 and BlumenthalArts.org.Blumenthal Performing Arts Belk Theater.

PIPPIN with its simple sets and great Fosse dance style, tells the story of a young prince, Pippin, played with physicality and virtue by Kyle Dean Massey. Massey takes this role straight from its run on Broadway and injects high energy throughout.

Pippin's successful academic life isn't enough. He wants to have an extraordinary life. He tries to impress his father, King Charles (loosely based on history), played humorously and nonchalantly by seasoned veteran, Tony Award winner, John Rubinstein, who also played Pippin in the original 1972 Broadway production. Pippin gets involved with an acrobatic troupe of performers, led by the Leading Player, played by Lisa Karlin. Her performance is strong, crisp, intimidating and entertaining. Pippin's family includes his sensual conniving stepmother, Fastrada, played by Sabrina Harper and his dimwitted soldier stepbrother, Lewis, played by Callan Bergmann. All of PIPPIN'S performers bring energy, extraordinary ability and talent to this show.

Pippin's paternal grandmother, Berthe, played by, Tony Award nominated and television Maude star, Adrienne Barbeau, is delightful to watch. Barbeau still has what it takes and gives the audience her all on a swinging trapeze. The acrobatics and circus arts in this show, choreographed by Gypsy Snider, Les 7 doigts de la main, meld beautifully into the storyline and dance numbers, choreographed by Chet Walker. There is added magical flair with illusions designed by Paul Kieve.

Pippin tries his hand at battles, experiences sex and the darker side of carnal lust. It all leaves him unfulfilled. He even tries tyranny by killing his father. After taking the throne, Pippin realizes that power is not what he wants. He asks the Leading Player to bring his father back to life. This suspends reality for the audience, but it is done. This show's first act could have been shorter and seemed as though it wasn't going to have an intermission, but it did.

PIPPIN is not a conventional play, at times actors break the fourth wall, but it works. In the second act, there are times the actors break character and laugh together, but it works. Circus, magic, comedy, malevolence, love and Fosse are all thrown together, but it works.

Catherine finds a dejected Pippin on the side of the road. Catherine played by Kristine Reese uses a comical speaking voice and is entertaining to watch. She is a widow with a son, played by Lucas Schultz. She needs Pippin to be the man to replace her husband at the head of the table. Pippin and Catherine sing "Love Song" beautifully and there is chemistry in their interactions. Catherine is just a mere player in the Leading Player's plot. Although he loves her, Pippin finds farm work mundane. He leaves and returns to the troupe and again, he feels empty and hollow. Life has humbled Pippin. He realizes he was happy on the farm with Catherine and the circle-of-life repeats, as son, Theo, gives a glimmer of searching for an extraordinary life in the last scene. Schultz conveys it poignantly with a beautiful voice.

The reality of this story was very touching for me, as we are all in a chapter of the circle-of-life, "cause spring will turn to fall in just no time at all." Go see it, you'll enjoy it!

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