"Nothing ever turns out the way you think it's going to."

 

That line, spoken by the Leading Player in the final scene of PIPPIN sums it up.

 

Those who only know PIPPIN through its sparkling original cast recording will not be prepared for the mess that is on stage.  It has always been a mess too. Bob Fosse did what he could to camouflage the meandering script and got away with it on Broadway in 1972.

 

It's cast album saved it. People hearing those wonderful songs like "Magic to Do", "Corner of the Sky", "No Time at All" and "With You" probably assumed that they were part of a rich story. They are not.  Once you get through Stephen Schwartz's highly enjoyable score you are left with Roger O'Hirson's plotless and ultimately pointless book.

 

Pippin is searching for meaning in his life. He tries education, which he finds useless, war, which he finds too bloody, sex  - lots of it, all meaningless, and politics where he finds it impossible to please everyone. In the end his misanthropy becomes tedious.

 

It doesn't help that this revival is so weakly directed. Gabriel Barre brings no sense of magic to the proceedings at all, and the show, which should wrap up in less than two hours is stretched to an interminable two and a half. The finale is padded beyond belief, although it does allow Jason Blaine as Catherine's son Theo a chance to show off his voice. In a few years he could be playing Pippin. Hopefully in a better production with a rewritten book.

 

Blaine dies point up the solid musical values the show is given here. Joshua Park mixes sweetness, passion and power in equal parts to offer up some thrilling vocals. Andre Ward is a wily leading player, with a fantastic voice and presence. That he cannot win over the audience is again the fault of the book.

 

The ladies are less effective although Teal Wicks makes Catherine more interesting than usual, and Shannon Lewis scores with Fastrada's "Spread a Little Sunshine."

 

The zodiac-like set that spins and slides has the advantage of providing a variety of playing areas and the backdrops switch from basic black to cloud-hewn blue skies quickly enough thanks to Beowulf Boritt's ingenious designs. 

 

Despite the best efforts of the cast and designers, the show just doesn't work on stage. I'm not sure that it ever did.

 

I am sure that Decca Broadway's original cast CD will set you back about $20. A ticket to see PIPPIN runs anywhere from $35 to $94.

 

Take your pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOW: PIPPIN

Written by: Stephen Schwartz & Roger O'Hirson

Directed by: Gabriel Barre

Theatre: Royal Alex

Dates: Oct 24 to Dec 3

Performances:  Tue to Sat @ 8pm, Wed, Sat, Sun @ 2 PM
Tickets: $35-$94 available at www.mirvish.com or phone at 416.872.1212

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