Pippin: Magic To Do at Miranda

Miranda Musical Society (NSW) presents Pippin from June 15-24 at Sutherland Memorial School of Arts. 

The winner of five Tony Awards in 1973, and playing 1944 Broadway performances, Pippin has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked).

Prince Pippin, son of Charlemagne, embarks upon a quest for true fulfilment, seeking his own ‘corner of the sky’. He relishes the glories of the battlefield, savours the temptations of the flesh and embroils himself in political intrigues. But neither war, sex, revolution nor domesticity can satisfy him – or so he thinks!

Cynical & poetic at the same time, Pippin looks at the struggle of every person’s journey to find contentment in life.

Directed by Gavin Leahy, with musical director Dean Turner and choreographer Kira Nelson, the cast features Emma Paull as The Leading Player, Rory Chatterton as Pippin, James Jonathon as Lewis, Garth Saville as Charles, Jennifer Parbery as Catherine, Melissa Lammers as Fastrada, Robyn Lassman as Berthe and 11-year-old Daniel Simpson as Theo.

Nicole Butler, Lisa Eastman, Joanne Furnari, Tyler Hoggard, Ellie McAdams, Temujin Tera, Stephanie Westbrook, James Swain and Tim Wotherspoon are the Players.

Director Leahy says this is a very ‘playful’, less cynical rendering of Pippin with a more seductive role for a female Leading Player (played by Emma Paull).

“The story of following a ‘leader’ on a path to self-fulfilment is very relevant today,” says Leahy. “So is the balance between theatricality and reality in this age of celebrity obsession and so-called ‘reality’ TV. What is real? What is truly valuable? And who or what is worth following?”

"I personally have never understood why Pippin would follow a song and dance man; there needs to be more to the piece for "ultimate fulfilment" to be made so seductive, so we are returning to the idea that the lead player is a woman.

“It is also going to be a very playful look at Pippin, rather than trying to copy the total cycnicism of (original director / choreogra[pher Bob) Fosse.

“The real question is between theatricality and reality and the idea that in this day of age our notions of celebrity and success have evolved."

But how does 70s musical Pippin continue to speak to audiences four decades later?

"Although written in the 70’s, Pippin is very much a show about the here and now,” says Leahy, “and retains relevance to the teens and young adults of today who find themselves without any apparent guidelines for growing up and making their way in the world.

“40 years after it was written Pippin is still relevant to contemporary audiences who now are accustomed to watching ordinary people in search of their Warholian “Fifteen minutes of fame” within the constructed situations of reality television. Pippin's audiences are invited to join a group of actors who lead a young man, fresh out of school with plenty of energy (but no idea where to direct it) on a journey to self fulfillment."

Miranda Musical Society presents

Pippin

By Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger E Hirson

Sutherland Memorial School of Arts, East Parade Sutherland

15-24 June, 2012 - Wed, Fri, Sat 8pm   Sat and Sun 2pm

Tickets $30 / $25 concession

Bookings (02) (02) 8814 5827

www.mirandamusicalsociety.com.au

More Reading

Community Theatre Seasons 2012 - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/community-theatre-seasons-2012

More Community Theatre - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre