And The Winner is PIPPIN!

If A.R.T.’s Pippin, doesn’t win a bunch of Tony Awards this year then I am not Brilliant.
Usually when I hear the word revival, I am a little skeptical. Will it be as good as the original? What can they bring to the table that is new? But Diane Paulus’s reimagining of Pippin has changed all that forever. This version of Pippin has transformed the course of musicals.
It is a delight for the senses with immaculate care given to every detail.
I don’t even like circuses and I loved Gypsy Snider, of the Montreal based circus company Les 7 Doigts de la main (7 Fingers,) Cirque de Soleil-ish spectacular moves that were integrated into the plot seamlessly. Chet Walker who choreographed in the style of Fosse, out-Fossed the master himself. Charlotte d’Amboise as Fastrada was sinister and sexy. Her dancing singing and acting make her the triple threat that we expect from Jacques progeny. Andrea Martin as the grandmother Berthe brings down the house. The other actors, Matthew James Thomas as Pippin, Erik Altemus as Lewis, Andrew Cekala and Theo and Terrence Mann as King Charles are superb and were playing at the top of their game. A special nod to the gorgeous, belter and actor Patina Miller as the leading player. She comes directly from Sister Act on Broadway and we can expect to see her a lot more on the Great White Way.
As for Stephen Schwartz, the genius who gave us Wicked, Godspell, The Bakers Wife, Rags and The Prince of Egypt deserves every point of the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his induction into the Theater Hall of Fame. (As for full disclosure, Stephen Schwartz was featured in the PBS Great Performances Film Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy that I created and acted as Executive Producer.)
I could go on but I don’t want to take up your time reading when you should be running out to get tickets for Pippin at the A.R.T. It runs through January 20 then it climbs up and and does it’s magic on Broadway. Bravo.