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PippinOpening Date: June 1981
Closing Date: June 1981 Air date: 1982 Medium: TV Where to watch: DVD, Amazon, BroadwayHD |
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Stage Production Notes
Pippin is a concept musical loosely based on the life story of Charlemagne’s son. Set within the world of circus and magic, Pippin is on a quest to find himself, and find meaning in the world.
The musical began life as the double-barreled Pippin, Pippin at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon) under the auspices of the student theatre group Scotch’n’Soda. Collaborating with composer Ron Strauss, Stephen Schwartz wrote an original musical which was performed to much acclaim in April 1967. The cast made an album, which piqued the interest of producer Harry Lynn.
Following the success of Godspell on Broadway, Schwartz returned to Pippin. Now collaborating with book writer Roger O. Hirson, Schwartz completely re-worked and re-vamped the score and book.
Bob Fosse was brought in to direct the new production. Tension over creative differences flared between Schwartz and Fosse, and Schwartz was eventually banned from rehearsals.
Pippin was first performed to much acclaim in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center in September, 1972.
Pippin opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on October 23, 1972, starring Ben Vereen as the Leading Player, John Rubinstein as Pippin, Eric Berry as Charles, Jill Clayburgh as Catherine, and Leland Palmer as Fastrada.
The production received mixed reviews. Most critics loved the spectacle but were unmoved by the book and score.
The production was nominated for, and won, a slew of awards. It won the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Choreography (Bob Fosse), Outstanding Costume Design (Patricia Zipprodt), Outstanding Director (Bob Fosse), Outstanding Set Design (Tony Walton), and Outstanding Performance.
Pippin won five of its eleven Tony Award nominations, including Best Actor in a Musical (Ben Vereen), Best Choreography (Bob Fosse), Best Direction of a Musical (Bob Fosse), Best Lighting Design (Jules Fisher), and Best Scenic Design (Tony Walton).
Pippin is a concept musical loosely based on the life story of Charlemagne’s son. Set within the world of circus and magic, Pippin is on a quest to find himself, and find meaning in the world.
The musical began life as the double-barreled Pippin, Pippin at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon) under the auspices of the student theatre group Scotch’n’Soda. Collaborating with composer Ron Strauss, Stephen Schwartz wrote an original musical which was performed to much acclaim in April 1967. The cast made an album, which piqued the interest of producer Harry Lynn.
Following the success of Godspell on Broadway, Schwartz returned to Pippin. Now collaborating with book writer Roger O. Hirson, Schwartz completely re-worked and re-vamped the score and book.
Bob Fosse was brought in to direct the new production. Tension over creative differences flared between Schwartz and Fosse, and Schwartz was eventually banned from rehearsals.
Pippin was first performed to much acclaim in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center in September, 1972.
Pippin opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on October 23, 1972, starring Ben Vereen as the Leading Player, John Rubinstein as Pippin, Eric Berry as Charles, Jill Clayburgh as Catherine, and Leland Palmer as Fastrada.
The production received mixed reviews. Most critics loved the spectacle but were unmoved by the book and score.
The production was nominated for, and won, a slew of awards. It won the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Choreography (Bob Fosse), Outstanding Costume Design (Patricia Zipprodt), Outstanding Director (Bob Fosse), Outstanding Set Design (Tony Walton), and Outstanding Performance.
Pippin won five of its eleven Tony Award nominations, including Best Actor in a Musical (Ben Vereen), Best Choreography (Bob Fosse), Best Direction of a Musical (Bob Fosse), Best Lighting Design (Jules Fisher), and Best Scenic Design (Tony Walton).
In 1973, Pippin became the first Broadway musical to use live footage of the show in a television commercial. Theatre historian Nathan Hurwitz notes that before Pippin, it was believed that “television-watchers likely wouldn’t pay for a live theater ticket.” Fosse, along with producer Stuart Ostrow, hoped a television commercial would “generate buzz about the show.”
The commercial was filmed by the Ash/LeDonne Agency, and, at the last minute, directed by Fosse. In the ad, a voiceover, provided by Fosse, offered a “free minute” of Pippin, and told viewers they could “see the other 119 minutes of Pippin, live, at the Imperial Theatre — without commercial interruption.”
The commercial was a huge hit and helped boost ticket sales at the box office — ensuring Pippin would become the longest running musical of the 1972/73 season. According to historian Alyson McLamore, choreography that had been created specifically for the ad was later inserted into the show due to popular demand.
During the last few months of the Broadway run, Pippin transferred to the Minskoff Theatre.
After a total of 1,944 performances, Pippin closed on Broadway on June 12, 1977.
Pippin opened on West End on October 30, 1975 and played for 85 performances.
An immensely popular and critically acclaimed revival directed by Diane Paulus opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on April 25, 2013. The production featured Patina Miller (Leading Player), Matthew James Thomas (Pippin), Terrance Mann (Charles), Charlotte d’Amboise (Fastrada), Rachel Bay Jones (Catherine), and Andrea Martin (Berthe).
As with the original Broadway production, the Broadway revival was nominated for, and won, multiple awards.
Astaire Awards
Wins
Nominations
Drama Desk Awards
Wins
Drama League Awards
Wins
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Wins
Nominations
Tony Awards
Wins
Nominations
The Broadway revival of Pippin closed on January 4, 2015 after playing 709 performances.
On February 6 and 7 2023, 54 Below in NYC hosted a 50th anniversary reunion concert featuring members of the original cast. The concert was produced and directed by Walter Willison (the original standby for Pippin), with musical direction by Michael Lavine. The cast included John Rubinstein (Pippin), Candy Brown (Player), Cheryl Clark (Dance Alternate), Gene Foote (Leading Player), Will D. McMillan (Theo), Jennifer Nairn-Smith (Player), Pamela Sousa (Player), Leland Palmer (Fastrada), and Joy Franz (Catherine replacement).
The February 7 concert was livestreamed via 54 Below’s online platform.
Pippin is available to license through Music Theatre International.
The commercial was filmed by the Ash/LeDonne Agency, and, at the last minute, directed by Fosse. In the ad, a voiceover, provided by Fosse, offered a “free minute” of Pippin, and told viewers they could “see the other 119 minutes of Pippin, live, at the Imperial Theatre — without commercial interruption.”
The commercial was a huge hit and helped boost ticket sales at the box office — ensuring Pippin would become the longest running musical of the 1972/73 season. According to historian Alyson McLamore, choreography that had been created specifically for the ad was later inserted into the show due to popular demand.
During the last few months of the Broadway run, Pippin transferred to the Minskoff Theatre.
After a total of 1,944 performances, Pippin closed on Broadway on June 12, 1977.
Pippin opened on West End on October 30, 1975 and played for 85 performances.
An immensely popular and critically acclaimed revival directed by Diane Paulus opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on April 25, 2013. The production featured Patina Miller (Leading Player), Matthew James Thomas (Pippin), Terrance Mann (Charles), Charlotte d’Amboise (Fastrada), Rachel Bay Jones (Catherine), and Andrea Martin (Berthe).
As with the original Broadway production, the Broadway revival was nominated for, and won, multiple awards.
Astaire Awards
Wins
- Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show (Charlotte d’Amboise)
- Outstanding Choreographer in a Broadway Show (Chet Walker)
Nominations
- Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show (Stephanie Pope)
- Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show (Andrea Martin)
- Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show (Patina Miller)
Drama Desk Awards
Wins
- Outstanding Revival of a Musical
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Andrea Martin)
- Outstanding Director of a Musical (Diane Paulus)
- Outstanding Choreography (Chet Walker and Gypsy Snider)
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Kenneth Posner)
- Outstanding Costume Design (Dominique Lemieux)
Drama League Awards
Wins
- Distinguished Revival of a Musical
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Wins
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Kenneth Posner)
- Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Patina Miller)
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Terrence Mann)
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Andrea Martin)
- Outstanding Revival of a Musical
- Outstanding Choreographer (Chet Walker)
Nominations
- Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Matthew James Thomas)
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Charlotte d’Amboise)
- Outstanding Set Design (Scott Pask)
- Outstanding Costume Design (Dominique Lemieux)
Tony Awards
Wins
- Best Actress in a Musical (Patina Miller)
- Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Andrea Martin)
- Best Direction of a Musical (Diane Paulus)
- Best Revival of a Musical
Nominations
- Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Terrence Mann)
- Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Kenneth Posner)
- Best Sound Design of a Musical (Jonathan Deans, Garth Helm)
- Best Costume Design of a Musical (Dominque Lemiuex)
- Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Scott Pask)
- Best Choreographer (Chet Walker)
The Broadway revival of Pippin closed on January 4, 2015 after playing 709 performances.
On February 6 and 7 2023, 54 Below in NYC hosted a 50th anniversary reunion concert featuring members of the original cast. The concert was produced and directed by Walter Willison (the original standby for Pippin), with musical direction by Michael Lavine. The cast included John Rubinstein (Pippin), Candy Brown (Player), Cheryl Clark (Dance Alternate), Gene Foote (Leading Player), Will D. McMillan (Theo), Jennifer Nairn-Smith (Player), Pamela Sousa (Player), Leland Palmer (Fastrada), and Joy Franz (Catherine replacement).
The February 7 concert was livestreamed via 54 Below’s online platform.
Pippin is available to license through Music Theatre International.
Filmed Production Notes
In June 1981, a special production of Pippin was filmed live over three performances at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Ontario for the pay-tv program Broadway on Showtime.
The cast included Ben Vereen (Leading Player), William Katt (Pippin), Leslie Dennison (Catherine), Benjamin Rayson (Charlemagne), Martha Raye (Bertha) and Chita Rivera (Fastrada), with Players Joanie P. O’Neill, Debra Phelan, Linda Haberman, Kate Wright, and Allison Williams, John Mineo (Sword Bearer), Charles Lee Ward (Peasant), Lee Mathis (Beggar), Frank Matrocola (Noble), Carmine Rizzo (Theo), Tom Batten (The Baron/The Field Marshall) and Christopher Chadman (Lewis).
As Bob Fosse was tied up with other projects, original cast member Kathryn Doby was booked to direct and choreograph, and actor/entertainment reporter/host David Sheehan was employed as the technical director. As noted by historian Elysa Gardner in Magic to Do: Pippin’s Fantastic, Fraught Journey to Broadway and Beyond, Doby later felt Sheehan was not up to his role, stating Sheehan was “totally undisciplined,” slept through work calls, and even taped over the previous days footage.
Although Fosse praised Doby for her work in recreating his vision, he hated the television special and apologized to the cast for the final cuts that Sheehan had implemented against Fosse’s wishes. As quoted in Magic to Do, Fosse wrote a letter to each cast member expressing that he was “extremely upset and frustrated by what I’ve seen and totally bewildered by the thinking by it.” He also wrote to Sheehan, stating “I am saddened and dismayed by what I’ve seen on tape. In my opinion, you have maneuvered this into an impossible situation. What a shame.”
Unusually, Pippin was released on VHS, for an enormous $70 per cassette, before being released on cable TV or at the cinema.
Pippin aired on Showtime in January 1982 and re-aired on February 15, 1984.
New York Times television critic John J. O’Connor stated that the “straight” recording did not work for television, with poor sound that brought “an element of “deadness” to the presentation.” O’Connor also made mention of Sweeney Todd, claiming Sondheim’s musical had utilized “far more effective techniques” in filming the stage version for television.
VCI released the DVD in 2005.
Pippin is currently available to view on DVD, Amazon, and BroadwayHD.
In June 1981, a special production of Pippin was filmed live over three performances at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Ontario for the pay-tv program Broadway on Showtime.
The cast included Ben Vereen (Leading Player), William Katt (Pippin), Leslie Dennison (Catherine), Benjamin Rayson (Charlemagne), Martha Raye (Bertha) and Chita Rivera (Fastrada), with Players Joanie P. O’Neill, Debra Phelan, Linda Haberman, Kate Wright, and Allison Williams, John Mineo (Sword Bearer), Charles Lee Ward (Peasant), Lee Mathis (Beggar), Frank Matrocola (Noble), Carmine Rizzo (Theo), Tom Batten (The Baron/The Field Marshall) and Christopher Chadman (Lewis).
As Bob Fosse was tied up with other projects, original cast member Kathryn Doby was booked to direct and choreograph, and actor/entertainment reporter/host David Sheehan was employed as the technical director. As noted by historian Elysa Gardner in Magic to Do: Pippin’s Fantastic, Fraught Journey to Broadway and Beyond, Doby later felt Sheehan was not up to his role, stating Sheehan was “totally undisciplined,” slept through work calls, and even taped over the previous days footage.
Although Fosse praised Doby for her work in recreating his vision, he hated the television special and apologized to the cast for the final cuts that Sheehan had implemented against Fosse’s wishes. As quoted in Magic to Do, Fosse wrote a letter to each cast member expressing that he was “extremely upset and frustrated by what I’ve seen and totally bewildered by the thinking by it.” He also wrote to Sheehan, stating “I am saddened and dismayed by what I’ve seen on tape. In my opinion, you have maneuvered this into an impossible situation. What a shame.”
Unusually, Pippin was released on VHS, for an enormous $70 per cassette, before being released on cable TV or at the cinema.
Pippin aired on Showtime in January 1982 and re-aired on February 15, 1984.
New York Times television critic John J. O’Connor stated that the “straight” recording did not work for television, with poor sound that brought “an element of “deadness” to the presentation.” O’Connor also made mention of Sweeney Todd, claiming Sondheim’s musical had utilized “far more effective techniques” in filming the stage version for television.
VCI released the DVD in 2005.
Pippin is currently available to view on DVD, Amazon, and BroadwayHD.
Pippin PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario
Producer: David Sheehan, Elkins Organization,
Book: Roger O. Hirson
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
Director: Kathryn Doby Film: David Sheehan
Musical Director: Stanley Lebowsky
Arrangements: Ralph Burns
Choreography: Kathryn Doby (based on the original by Bob Fosse)
Scenic Design: Tony Walton
Costume Design: Patricia Zipprodt
Lighting Design: Jules Fisher
Sound Design: David Green
Cast:
Ben Vereen (Leading Player), William Katt (Pippin), Leslie Dennison (Catherine), Benjamin Rayson (Charlemagne), Martha Raye (Bertha), Chita Rivera (Fastrada), Joanie P. O’Neill (Player), Debra Phelan (Player), Linda Haberman (Player), Kate Wright (Player) , Allison Williams (Player), John Mineo (Sword Bearer), Charles Lee Ward (Peasant), Lee Mathis (Beggar), Frank Matrocola (Noble), Carmine Rizzo (Theo), Tom Batten (The Baron/The Field Marshall), Christopher Chadman (Lewis)
Theatre: Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario
Producer: David Sheehan, Elkins Organization,
Book: Roger O. Hirson
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
Director: Kathryn Doby Film: David Sheehan
Musical Director: Stanley Lebowsky
Arrangements: Ralph Burns
Choreography: Kathryn Doby (based on the original by Bob Fosse)
Scenic Design: Tony Walton
Costume Design: Patricia Zipprodt
Lighting Design: Jules Fisher
Sound Design: David Green
Cast:
Ben Vereen (Leading Player), William Katt (Pippin), Leslie Dennison (Catherine), Benjamin Rayson (Charlemagne), Martha Raye (Bertha), Chita Rivera (Fastrada), Joanie P. O’Neill (Player), Debra Phelan (Player), Linda Haberman (Player), Kate Wright (Player) , Allison Williams (Player), John Mineo (Sword Bearer), Charles Lee Ward (Peasant), Lee Mathis (Beggar), Frank Matrocola (Noble), Carmine Rizzo (Theo), Tom Batten (The Baron/The Field Marshall), Christopher Chadman (Lewis)
Sources
Books
Articles
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2015)
- Elysa Gardner, Magic to Do: Pippin’s Fantastic, Fraught Journey to Broadway and Beyond, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (2022)
- Carol de Giere, Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (2008)
- Nathan Hurwitz, A History of the American Musical Theatre: No Business Like It, Routledge (2014)
- Robert Emmet Long, Broadway, the Golden Years: Jerome Robbins and the Great Choreographer-Directors 1940 to the Present, Continuum (2003)
- Alyson McLamore, Musical Theater: An Appreciation, Routledge (2017)
- Ethan Mordden, One More Kiss: The Broadway Musical in the 1970s, St. Martin’s Press (2015)
- Paul R. Laird, The Musical Theater of Stephen Schwartz: From Godspell to Wicked and Beyond, Rowman & Littlefield (2014)
- David C. Tucker, Martha Raye: Film and Television Clown, McFarland & Company (2016)
- Sam Wasson, Fosse, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2013)
Articles
- David Crook, “Musical ‘Pippin’ Takes a New Route to TV,” Los Angeles Times (Aug 11, 1981), p. G1
- Lindsay Champion, “The Magic Touch: Follow Pippin’s Extraordinary Journey from Student Production to Broadway Sensation,” Broadway.com (April 9, 2013)
- Lee Margulies, “‘Pippin’ to Bypass Normal Channels, Due on Pay TV,” Los Angeles Times (June 6, 1981), p. B4
- Meg Masserson, Andrew Gans, “Pippin Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert Will Live Stream,” Playbill (Jan 14, 2023)
- John J. O’Connor, “‘Pippin’ on Showtime,” New York Times (Feb 15, 1984)
Written by Luisa Lyons (November, 2017; updated April 2020, August 2023)