Director Rob Roznowski has created “an intimate Pippin. No flashy tricks, just the simple story and a great score.” This is an “acoustic” version with a small combo of keyboards and guitar under the direction of Dave Wendelberger.
This version takes on a storybook style, both figuratively and literally, with a beautiful, elaborate book set where pages are turned to set each scene. (Scenic design Thalia Pearce) The cast is not huge, and various small roles are politely pre-assigned to volunteers in the audience. No one is put “on the spot” without their consent, and you will see some fun and creative "new talent" joining the cast each night — maybe you?
The role of The Leading Player, steering the naive but ambitious Pippin into his various attempts at an "extraordinary and completely fulfilling life" is shared in this production by Hailey Erikson and Justin Harmon, both excellent but the duo seemed to dilute the power of the role. I particularly enjoyed Justin’s “On the Right Track.”
Another departure from tradition was the casting of narcissistic brother Lewis, and the little boy Theo, with the same actor, the versatile Oscar Quiroz. He managed to portray both over-the-top macho and charming duck puppet pathos.
Zach Deande as Pippin carried on the storybook concept, and the idea of being unexpectedly recruited into his role, often consulting a pocket script storybook. His soaring voice was a treat.
Christopher Eastland was appropriately authoritative as father Charles the Great, with his wife Fastrada (Lane Straub) schemingly seductive in her plot to push her son Lewis to the throne. Kim Seabright Martin brought the sass and verve to grandma Berthe, leading her life-affirming sing-along.
In defiance of the Leading Players, Madison Lemieux brought the “real,” as Catherine, the “ordinary woman” who befriends the dejected Pippin. The traditional spoofy all-under-the-sheet sex scene between Pippin and Catherine is politely omitted, making the show more appropriate for younger kids.
This is a show that entertains and satirizes while raising thought provoking questions. When an ordinary person believes they should be extraordinary, where does that come from, and are we all subject to it’s lure? “Is compromise loss, or merely life?”
Pippin continues at 8pm Saturday and 6:30 pm Sunday. Be sure to pick up a small sheet with QR codes for the show program, donations and a quick survey.
https://theatre.msu.edu/sct/