Pippin Reflects Fosse’s Quest for Meaning of Life
Pippin was co-written and originally directed and choreographed by Chicago native Bob Fosse in 1972 who was at the very epicenter of his highly successful and frenetic career and possibly the pinnacle of his drug addiction that at least partly explains this bizarre tale of young Pippin’s quest for meaning in his life. Fosse’s fingerprints (or dare I say footprints) are all over this psychedelic fever dream
My initial reaction is to characterize Pippin as The Fantastiks meets Godspell. Explaining the plot is about as easy as trying to recall and interpret the details a dream. What happened is not exactly clear but the production is a feast for the senses that makes use of the entire spectrum of theater craft. Music Theater Works is known for musical excellence and they do not disappoint us in this production.
Listen to my entire review and editorial comments.
Note to Chicagoans: Fosse attended Amundsen High School in the West Andersonville / Bowmanville neighborhood. He worked as an underaged dancer in various downtown cabarets and burlesque shows before making his mark in New York City.
PIPPIN CAST MEMBERS
Sonia Goldberg – Leading Player
Connor Ripperger – Pippin
Kathleen Puls Andrade – Berthe
Thomas M. Shea – Charlemagne
Savannah Sinclair – Fastrada, Leading Player U/S
Andrew Freeland – Lewis
Desiree Gonzalez – Catherine
Di’Aire Wilson – Theo
The Pippin Ensemble are
Jenny Couch – ensemble, Catherine U/S
Ciara Hickey – ensemble
Alex Iacobucci – ensemble
Lacey Jack – ensemble
Samira Jasmine – ensemble
Katie Kotila – ensemble, Fastrada U/S
Justin Payton Nelson – ensemble, Lewis U/S
Mollyanne Nunn – ensemble
Jordan “J.Ro” Ordonez – ensemble
Kaitlyn Pasquinelli – ensemble
Dane Strange – ensemble
Eustace J. Williams – ensemble, Pippin U/S
Adeera Harris – swing
Wilson Paul Hicken – swing
The Pippin creative team includes
Patrick Tierney – assistant director
Justin Akira Kono – music director
Amber Wuttke – fight and intimacy choreographer
Nathan Lamp – dramaturg
Mollyanne Nunn – co-choreographer
Kaitlyn Pasquinelli – co-choreographer
Sasha Gerritson – chorus master
Allison Gonzales – stage manager
Lily Landoch – assistant stage manager
Shane Cinal – scenic director
Ellen Markus – props director
Jazmin Aurora Medina – costumes director
Kristen Brinati – assistant costume designer
Alice Salazar – hair, wig and makeup designer
Melanie Saso – assistant hair, wig and makeup designer
Andrew Meyers – lighting designer
Chelsea Lynn – ME/lighting programmer
Matthew R. Chase – sound designer
Forrest Gregor – production sound engineer
David Sajewich – media designer
Will Hughes – scene shop technical director
Chris Chase – production manager
Jennifer King Russell – company manager
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