Pippin

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Book by Roger O. Hirson

Inspired by two real life characters from the middle ages, Schwartz’ first Broadway

show follows the story of Pippin, a young prince who is discontented with life. The

protagonist eventually finds his true purpose and, at the end of the final act,

describes himself as “trapped, but happy” (Hirson, 1972) Narrated by a mysterious

‘Leading Player’, the show is famous for it’s unique score with a blend of “gospel and

pop-rock influences” (Gottfried, 1998). According to the show’s official website

(2013), Pippin is a “tongue in cheek story”, however it does tackle dark themes

including war, promiscuity, and suicide. Despite these seemingly shocking themes,

the original run remains the 32nd longest running show in Broadway history (IBDB,

Nov 2014). The 2013 Broadway revival starring Patina Miller as the Leading Player

will close in January 2015 after nearly 2 years in the Music Box Theater.

The show is often viewed as silly and lacking substance, most notably in a 1972

review from the New York Times, where the show is described as “a trite and

uninteresting story with aspirations to a seriousness that it never for one moment

fulfills” (Barnes, 1972). Even revivals as recent as the Menier Chocolate Factory

production in 2011 have been dismissed as a “pretense to be a comment on life”

(Billington, 2011). Most of these negative opinions appear to stem from the fact that

the resolution of the musical is for Pippin to decide to settle down with wife and child,

and that his life is not ‘extraordinary’, as the character’s second act song would

indicate.

Schwartz’ personal experience with the show was largely negative, being thrown out

of rehearsals by Director Bob Fosse half way through the creative process (Filichia,

2013). This was the result of disagreements between the two, and could be a primary

reason for Schwartz’ distaste for working on Broadway, as well as the fact that he

feels “New York critics just don’t like [him]” (Show People 2011). In spite of this, a

Tony Award nomination for ‘Best Original Score’ was still earned by Schwartz,

though he failed to win.

The 2013 Broadway revival restaged the show to be set in a circus tent, with the

ensemble playing clowns and acrobats rather than the traditional Greek travelling

actors. The show won the Tony Award for ‘Best Revival of a Musical’ and Patina

Miller won for ‘Best Leading Actress in a Musical’ for her role as ‘Leading Player’.

Ben Vereen also won for this role in the original 1972 production, making them the

only two actors of opposite genders to ever win a Tony Award for playing the same

role. Variety Magazine’s Frank Rizzo described the new production as “pure

theatrical bliss”, whilst Elisabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post praised the show

for being “a thrilling piece of eye-popping razzle dazzle”. The revival is set to close on

January 4th 2015, with a US tour already underway.