Early this October, following his cabaret performance in Orange County,  I talked for a few moments with Stephen Schwartz about Pippin. I had first seen Pippin in New York in the early ’70’s and we discussed that version, as well as, a new anime version that I had just seen performed by the East West Players in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, in June of 2008.  Schwartz had seen and greatly enjoyed that version.  He then told me that he was taking an active role in a new pre-Broadway production of Pippin at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in early 2009. This 2009 version to be produced by Deaf West Theater will be the first fully staged Broadway production of the musical since the original.

Pippin opened on Broadway in 1972. Stephen Schwartz wrote both the music and lyrics.  Roger O. Hirson wrote the book and Bob Fosse  directed and choreographed.   Fosse’s “subtext” style (the use of dance rather than dialogue to portray ideas) and use of lighting and  gloves were found in Pippin and would also be found in his next big show Chicago. His prior Broadway successes include: Pajama Game, Damn Yankees and Sweet Charity.

Pippin opened to mixed reviews and quite average sales.  In response to this, Fosse and star Ben Vereen put together a television commercial to advertise the show.   This had never been done before and helped to bring success to the show.  The show ran for over 1900 performances.   Pippin has been a favorite with both school and regional companies ever since.  Schwartz told me he really loves this show and marvels at its continued success.

The cast featured Ben Vereen as The Leading Player. Vereen had been nominated for a Tony for Jesus Christ Superstar the year before and would win a Tony for his performance in Pippin. John Rubinstein would make his Broadway debut as the title character. Rubinstein comes from a very musical family, his father being Artur Rubinstein the concert pianist. He would later receive a Tony for his performance in Children of a Lesser God. He has remained very active on the stage in New York and Los Angeles and most recently played the part of the Wizard in the Los Angeles production of Wicked. Eric Berry portrayed Charlemagne (Pippin’s father), Leland Palmer played the part of Fastrada, the wife of Charlemagne, but not Pippin’s mother. She no longer performs, but is still active in the theater.  Jill Clayburgh played Catherine,  Pippin’s love interest. Clayburgh had appeared in quite a few shows on Broadway, but Pippin would be her best musical role. Irene Ryan played Pippin’s grandmother, the role of Berthe.  Most famous for her TV role as Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies, Ryan had been diagnosed with a brain tumor prior to the opening of the show.  This fact that was kept secret from her and when the show opened she was in it and brought the house down every night.   She died in April of 1973, several days after suffering a stroke during a performance.

The show opens with a dazzling prologue featuring almost the entire cast as a show troupe of players led by Vereen as The Leading Player.  “Magic to Do,” sets the stage for the play “The Life and Times of Pippin” that the audience is about to see.  (A video of the number is shown on the site)   At the end of the prologue, we are introduced to Pippin. Rubinstein’s Pippin displays a sweet,  almost Candide like optimism sings the most popular song of the show, “Corner Of The Sky.” Pippin sings,  “I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free, gotta find my corner of the sky.  The play about “The Life and Times of Pippin” now begins and we follow him in his search to find that corner.

Eric Berry as Charlemagne has a deep round baritone voice.  He uses it not only to welcome his son Pippin home from school, but, singing along with a rhythmic chorus, explains to Pippin  that “War is a Science.”  Having been prepared for war, Pippin now heads into battle seeking  “Glory,” but finding onle gore.

Pippin leaves the battlefield deciding war is not for him.  The Leading Player, in the number “Simple Joys” leads  Pippin through the countryside to the home of his grandmother.  Berthe welcomes Pippin and in “No Time At All” explains to him her philosophy about life.  Before it is all over the rest of the cast and the audience are proclaiming her philsophy, “Live Life to the Fullest.”

Pippin tries a little free love and sex and decides that, without feeling real love, he feels vacant and he continues his journey.

Pippin is then convinced by The Leading Player that he should fight tyranny and so, with the help of Fastrada, who at this point sings her big number of the show,  “Spread A Little Sunshine,” he kills his father and in “Morning Glow” talks about the new future with him as king.   He soon learns that being king is not fun and he begs The Leading Player to bring his father back to life….which he does.  The Leading Player tells Pippin in a great song and dance duet that he is “On The Right Track” and so Pippin begins to experiment with music, art and religion and, while experimenting, he comes upon Catherine……falls in love…….and also comes to love her son Theo.  Pippin has now found a relationship and he and Catherine sing their love duet, “Love Song.”

Pippin eventually realizes that this new life is not for someone who is “Extraordinary”  and he leaves to search for true meaning.  He winds up on the stage surrounded by the troupe who encourage him to reach the grand finale of his life by jumping into the flames to his death.   Pippin agrees to do this, but he is stopped by one of the actresses in the troupe, the one who has played Catherine. The Leading Player is furious and the troupe leaves Pippin, Catherine and Theo alone on a dark, empty and silent stage.  The lights are turned off, the orchestra packs up and leaves and the troupe removes their makeup…..they are alone in a plain and unadorned world.  Pippin is not sad, he has become a happy man.  He has found his corner of the sky.

The Pippin CD is a great cast recording. The orchestration was novel and exciting in 1972 and remains so today. The score is terrific.  It is one of those cast recordings that brings great memories to those who have seen or performed Pippin.  But, even if you have not it is quite a wonder, especially if you are hearing it for the first time.

Recorded on vinyl in 1972 and transferred to CD, Pippin is a really great cast recording and one you should own.

Categories: Original Broadway Cast Recordings
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