Theatre Frisco presents PIPPIN
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Directed and Choreographed by Linda Kay Leonard
Music Direction by Kelley Poche Rodriguez
Tech Director Alex Rain
Asst Choreographer Amy Cave
Asst Music Directors Ethan Mullins and Nika Weiss
The Orchestra Conductor/Keyboards Kelly Poche Rodriguez
Reed I Michael Dill
Reed II Catherine Conlin
Trumpet Cheri Roman
Guitar Sam Walker
Bass Steven Arnez
Percussion Jamie Zolfaghari
Drums Randy Linberg
The Cast
Vee India
Chase Shaw
Josh Hepola
Dayton Wilson
Lucia Welch
Teresa Natera
Vivian Martin
Jordan Gibson
Sydney Hamil
Nika Weiss
Evelynn Wright
Landry Beckley
Matthew Guess
Cam Hayes
Ethan Mullins
Stage Manager Katie Radke
Asst Stage Manager/CCO Melissa Feldman
Dance Captain Christina Kudlicki
Asst Dance Captain Ki’Jon Robinson
Costume Designer Bruce R. Coleman
Set Designer D. Aidan Wright
Lighting Designer Alex Ammons
Props Elise Knox
Sound Board Keys Larson
Light Board Katie Radke
Crew Melissa Feldman, Elise Knox. Elena Tirado, Abby Sweatt
Graphic Design Pearl Creative Consulting
“We’ll be present at the birth of old thing looking new.”
My thoughts on Pippin at Theatre Frisco or…they had magic to do, and they did it!
I can’t remember a time when Pippin wasn’t a part of my life, and it is one of the shows I truly love. So, when I go to a production of Pippin, I go with a very critical eye. This production exceeded all my expectations. With a tweak here and there, it could probably tour. Yes, it’s that good.
Director and Choreographer Linda Kay Leonard makes Pippin’s journey to find a fulfilling life a seductive and exciting trip and Music Director Kelly Poche Rodriguez and her superb orchestra provide that wonderful Stephen Schwartz music that’s impossible to get out of your head. I also admired D. Aidan Wright’s colorful set and Bruce R. Coleman’s costumes, especially for the ensemble, are sensational.
The ensemble is especially important in Pippin and Director Leonard has assembled an incredibly talented group of singer/dancer/actors who are almost always on stage. The ensemble includes Ethan Mullins, Landry Beckley, Sydney Hamil, Jordan Gibson, Cam Hayes, Nika Weiss, Matthew Guess, and Evelynn Wright.
In the featured cast, Vivian Martin plays Theo, son of Katherine. Vivian is convincing as a young boy, and she has a wonderful singing voice. This small but mighty stage pro is soon to be a fourth grader.
Christina Kudlicki is Fastrada, Pippin’s stepmother and mother of Lewis who she wants to see her son on the throne. I’ve been a fan of Kudlicki’s choreography in many productions but have never seen her step into the limelight until now. Not surprisingly, Kudlicki is a great dancer and singer and “spreads a little sunshine” as the scheming Fastrada.
Lucia Welch has a jewel of a role as Pippin’s hip grandmother Berthe, and she makes it shine. Berthe tells Pippin “it’s time to start living” and even lets us sing a chorus or two with her, making Welch’s Berthe an audience favorite.
The buff and agile Dayton Wilson is terrific as Pippin’s not so bright brother Lewis. Wilson’s remarkable stage presence and comic skills make him the best Lewis I’ve seen outside of Broadway.
I immediately fell in love with Teresa Natera as Katherine, mother to Theo and eventually wife to Pippin. There is nothing “average” or “ordinary.” about Natera’s Katherine. Natera, along with her beautiful voice, has off the charts stage charisma.
As Pippin’s father King Charles, Josh Hepola teaches us that “war is a science” and shows us “battles barbarous and bloody.” Hepola is suitably commanding in his regal role and has a fine baritone. Hepola is particularly good conveying the king’s frustration with his son Pippin and his struggle to understand him.
With a voice than can go from sweet to soaring, Chase Shaw is marvelous as the confused and innocent Pippin who longs for his life to be “extraordinary.” Shaw is an appealing Pippin and engrosses us in his journey. Shaw’s gymnastic skills are also on display here as his Pippin literally flips out.
Extraordinary indeed is Vee India as the Leading Player. India’s Leading Player, sleek and sexy dressed in all black, is alternately friend and temptress to Pippin as she guides him through life. India is a powerhouse vocalist and a skilled actor who brings fire and ice to the role. She is never less than thrilling to watch. From the first moment she steps on stage telling us there’s “magic to do,” we are in her hands. She is the magic.
Director Leonard delivers a dynamite Pippin and, if you are lucky enough to score one of the few remaining tickets, you will see an “extraordinary” production. Pippin sings, “everything has its season, everything has its time.” Great musicals are most definitely in season and it’s time to see Pippin.
”
