VIDEO: Get A First Look At Skylight Music Theatre 's PIPPIN
By: Alan Henry Oct. 05, 2018
BroadwayWorld has a first look at Skylight Music Theatre Artistic's Pippin, running September 21 through October 7 in Skylight's beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Check out the video!
This unforgettable, iconic musical with a score by Stephen Schwartz, who also composed Wicked and Godspell, has inspired generations of theatregoers. The five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway show follows young prince Pippin's search to find his place in the world. Pippin features a beautiful score, including such songs as "Magic to Do," "Corner of the Sky," "No Time at All" and "Morning Glow."
"Pippin is a great way to kick off the season because it is about the magic of theatre and the magic we find in ourselves. I think it's the first Broadway musical I ever saw, so it's fitting as the first show of my final year as artistic director," said Jivoff, who announced recently that he would leave his full-time position as Skylight Artistic Director at the end of the 2018-19 season. Jivoff has been on staff at Skylight for 20 years and first performed at Skylight 30 years ago.
"I love Pippin because it taps into something haunting, beautiful and unexpected through great music, inventive choreography and the essence of music theatre - which is storytelling," said Jivoff.
In Pippin, a theatrical performance troupe, led by Leading Player, tells the story of Pippin's search to find meaning. He seeks it in the glories of battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power, after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great. Pippin learns than happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the ordinary moments that happen every day.
Pippin will reunite Jivoff with music director David Bonofiglio, who worked together on Urinetown, The Musical at Skylight last season. Jivoff directs a cast of 12, including Lucas Pastrana as Pippin and Natalie Ford as Catherine. Pastrana played Bobby Strong in Urinetown (2018) and Anthony in Sweeney Todd (2017). Ford was last seen at Skylight as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (2015) and Cinderella in Into the Woods (2015).
Making her return to Skylight after many years is Elaine Parsons Herro as Berthe. Herro's first role at Skylight was in 1984 as Bonnie in Anything Goes. She appeared in Fiddler on the Roof (1999), The Producers (2009) and The Music Man (2011) among others. Other well-known Skylight actors in Pippin include Kathryn Hausman as Fastrada. Hausman was last seen in Zombies from The Beyond (2018) and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (2017). Alex Campea will play Lewis. Campea was last seen at Skylight in Annie(2017). Also returning from the cast of Annie will be a special appearance by Shiloh, one of the adorable dogs who played Sandy.
Among the cast making their debut at Skylight are Krystal Drake as Leading Player and Todd Denning as Charlemagne. Drake, a recent graduate of the UW-Milwaukee Theatre program, appeared in Black Nativity at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Denning has acted with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theater and others.
This is the first time Skylight has produced Pippin. The musical opened on Broadway in 1972, winning five Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography for Bob Fosse, and Best Leading Actor for Ben Vereen. The musical was revived in 2013 winning four Tony Awards, including Best Direction for Diane Paulus. The New York Times called Pippin, "Astonishing and awe-inspiring." Chicago Tribune raved, "Truly dazzling! Inestimably clever!" New York Daily News said, "Everything you could dream of in a musical...extraordinary!"
Skylight Music Theatre's productions feature live orchestras, with performances in the intimate, 350-seat Cabot Theatre. Modeled after an 18th century European opera house, the Cabot is widely considered to be the most beautiful theatre in Milwaukee. Its tiered, jewel-box architecture offers great views for everyone and audiences feel close to the powerful performances on stage.
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