Pictures Edward Johnson
Eight outstanding performers bring the tale of Pippin to vivid, vivacious life, they start the show declaring that they’ve got ‘Magic To Do’ true to their word, they deliver something magical indeed – sheer delight from start to finish – Attitude ★★★★★
That’s just one of the five-star reviews written about director Steven Dexter’s new version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Pippin at London’s Charing Cross Theatre, now running until 3 October 2021.
The innovative re-imagining of Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson’s well-loved musical, performed in the round by an ensemble cast of eight, sees Ryan Anderson (West Side Story, Curve Theatre, Grease UK tour) in the title role alongside Dan Krikler (Loserville, Garrick Theatre, Mamma Mia! Novello Theatre), Ian Carlyle (We Will Rock You, international tour, Five Guys Named Moe, Marble Arch), Alex James-Hatton (Book of Mormon, UK tour, Heathers, The Other Palace/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson (The Boyfriend, Menier Chocolate Factory, 42nd Street, Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Natalie McQueen (9 to 5, Savoy Theatre, Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre), Genevieve Nicole (Pippin, Hope Mill theatre/Southwark Playhouse, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Savoy Theatre) and Jaydon Vijn (Starlight Express, Germany, Mamma Mia! international tour).
There is a real sense of joy in this performance. The actors are faultless, the choreography perfectly timed, the singing incredible, the attention to detail mesmerising. It’s very, very good! – The Upcoming ★★★★★
You can see this very cast in action in a new music video, recorded as part of Adam Blanshay Productions’ acclaimed musical series The Theatre Channel. Episode 8, available to watch on Stream.Theatre from 17 September 2021, honours the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell) and features a stunning performance of ‘Magic to Do’. You can get a first look below:
Welcoming the run of the production at Charing Cross Theatre, director Dexter said: “Pippin opened on Broadway in October 1972, however Stephen Schwartz started writing an early version of the show while he was a student at Carnegie Mellon University in 1967.
“Flower power was at its peak, war was raging in Vietnam and Hair opened on Broadway. It was the year of The Summer of Love. My take on the show (which I have been lucky to direct three times before) is told by a group of hippie travellers of that time.”
Schwartz added: “I’m delighted that Steven Dexter’s new and re-imagined production of Pippin has a further life this summer at Charing Cross Theatre. By stripping back Pippin to its essence, it draws the audience directly into the heart of the story.”
Presented by Adam Blanshay Productions, Edward Johnson and Steven M. Levy, the creative team for the production includes choreographer Ashley Nottingham, musical supervisor Michael Bradley, designer David Shields, musical director Chris Ma, lighting designer Aaron J. Dootson and sound designer Keegan Curran. Casting is by Anne Vosser.
The story of a young prince in search of true happiness, Pippin was originally produced on the Broadway stage in 1972 by Stuart Ostrow in a production directed by the legendary Bob Fosse. The 2013 Broadway revival directed by Diane Paulus won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
- You can still catch Pippin live at London’s Charing CrossTheatre until 3 October 2021
- Episode Eight – Stephen Schwartz from The Theatre Channel is available to watch from 17 September 2021
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