Pippin Critics’ Reviews
In a bold new staging of the dark and existential musical you thought you knew, young prince Pippin embarks on a dangerous journey, encouraged by a mysterious group of performers led by a Leading Player.
In a bold new staging of the dark and existential musical you thought you knew, young prince Pippin embarks on a dangerous journey, encouraged by a mysterious group of performers led by a Leading Player.
What Is the Story of Pippin?
Diane Paulus’ new, circus-inspired production of Pippin features an acrobatic troupe of performers, led by the charismatic Leading Player. The ensemble cast tells the story of Pippin, a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure in his life. To prove his loyalty to his distracted father, King Charles, Pippin goes to war. But when the Leading Player convinces the prince to fight tyranny, Pippin kills Charles and takes over the throne. Realizing his mistake, Pippin begs the Leading Player to bring his father back to life, and she obliges. The prince falls in love with Catherine, a widow with a young son, and (much to the Leading Player’s chagrin), Pippin struggles to decide whether he should settle down and pursue a peaceful life or continue to make magic with the dazzling troupe of performers.
"Miller, with her lithe body and megawatt smile, makes the Player both temptress and confidante, guiding Pippin with her siren's voice and sharp, sinuous dancing through a string of seductive but finally unfulfilling life choices."
USA Today
Elysa Gardner
"It's amazing how Chet Walker's Fosse-inspired choreography blends seamlessly with the hand-walking, knife-throwing, backflipping, human-jump-roping antics of the enviably limber cast."
Entertainment Weekly
Thom Geier
"When the cast sings, by way of invitation in the opening number, ‘Join us, come and waste an hour or two,’ it's highly recommended you do so. Little can get the blood going this way."
Associated Press
Mark Kennedy
"Of all the cast members who aren’t acrobats, though, it’s the veteran comic actress [Andrea] Martin who truly scales the heights. Berthe, Pippin’s foxy granny, has only one big song and scene to call her own, but, boy does she own it."
The New York Times
Ben Brantley