Hartt Theatre Students Perform PIPPIN in Lincoln Theatre, 10/27-30

The Hartt School's Music Theatre students present Pippin, the tale of the son of King Charlemagne and his search for personal significance, Thursday, October 27, Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, October 30, at 3:00 PM. Performances are in Lincoln Theater, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Please call the University Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 800.274.8587 or visit www.hartford.edu/hartt for tickets and up-to-date scheduling information for all performances. Admission to is $20 with discounts for seniors, students, and groups.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, known more recently for Wicked, book by Roger O. Hirson, and direction by Hartt faculty member Ralph Perkins, Hartt's first musical production of the season is sure to entertain.

According to musical theatre scholar Scott Miller in his 1996 book From Assassins to West Side Story, "Pippin is a largely under appreciated musical with a great deal more substance to it than many people realize. Because of its 1970s pop style score and a somewhat emasculated licensed version for amateur productions which is very different from the original Broadway production, the show now has a reputation for being merely cute and harmlessly naughty; but if done the way director Bob Fosse envisioned it, the show is surreal and disturbing."

Ralph Perkins says, "I see Pippin as 'every man' and his journey for fulfillment, although not every man experiences all the stages Pippin goes through. Some get hung up in sexuality; some become stuck in the mundane, some in the turmoil of life. These experiences are represented in the show. All we have to lead us through life are our consciences and the choices we make. How we deal with the choices and consequences is how we find our outcome to life."

Perkins continues to explain that although Pippin feels he is "controlling his search for destiny, Catherine comes into play as the curve ball of life, which is 'love.' Love is unpredictable. You never know with whom or when you will fall in love, you just do. It is uncontrollable. The idea of the show is that this scenario can be played out in any person's life. Pippin discovers at the end of his search that fulfillment was right there inside him. Realizing this, he can be comfortable with who he is, and be content with a life with Catherine."

Students performing in Pippin include Jayce Johnson of Las Vegas, NV, as Pippin; Ravid Raposo of Dartmouth, MA, as Lewis; Donny Gersonde of Coronado, CA, as Leading Player; Kristen Tarczynski of Vernon, NJ, as Fastrada; and Lea Nardi of Southington, CT, as Catherine.

Performing as the Band of Players are Mike Baskowski of Holliston, MA; Scott Caron of Shrewsbury, MA; Dakota Dutcher of Carson City, NV; Steven Grant of St. Louis, MO; Nicholas Giulani of Tampa, FL; John Olsen of Las Vegas, NV; Alexandra Bartley of Parsippany, NJ; Alexandra Cutler of Forrestburgh, NY; Kelsey Flynn of Mahwah, NJ; Keisha Gilles of Waltham, MA; Laura Helm of Southborough, MA; Sarah Kozlowski of Coventry, CT; Brianna LoBue of Old Bridge, NJ; Katie Sarno of Wells, ME; Hannah Spacone of Providence, RI; Meredith Swanson of Hamilton, MA; and Caitlin Wilayto of Pepperell MA.

In addition, special guest faculty members performing in Pippin include Alan Rust as Charlemagne and JohAnna Morrison as Berthe.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded in 1920, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957. 2010 markEd Hartt's 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information about The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

 

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