BrightSide’s Magic To Do

Pippin

There’s much “Magic to Do” in BrightSide Theatre’s spectacular finale to their current Season. In what may be the finest, most polished production of this professional company’s thirteen years, they’re presenting a truly magical, captivating and heartfelt version of Stephen Schwartz’s beloved 1970’s pop/rock musical. This show was actually the talented composer/lyricist’s Broadway premier. Schwartz then went on to write some of Broadway’s most beloved hits, which include GODSPELL, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING, CHILDREN OF EDEN, the upcoming Broadway premiere of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES and, of course, his universal hit, WICKED.

Pippin premiered in 1972, with a book by Roger O. Hirson, and libretto contributions by the show’s original director/choreographer, the legendary Bob Fosse. Unique for its time, the pop/rock musical was called “cute and harmlessly naughty” and sometimes “surreal and disturbing.” But the show was such a crowd-pleaser that PIPPIN ran on Broadway for five years, transferring to London’s West End and then launched an acclaimed First National Tour a couple years later (three more National Tours would set forth in the following years). Then, in 2013, a wonderful newly imagined Broadway revival, directed by Diane Paulus, sported an athletic circus theme. The script featured some interesting changes in song lyrics and script rewrites. It also included a newly tweaked ending, which made this show feel fresh, fun and more relevant.

In Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass’ version, audiences will get to enjoy a hybrid of some of the new script and lyric changes, but a show that’s much more faithful to the original 70’s production. Not only breaking the fourth wall, but even wandering through the audience at times, Mr. Cass creatively uses the concept of a mysterious performance troupe, led by a charismatic Leading Player. She directs her actors to tell the story of young Prince Pippin, the eldest son of King Charles, or Charlemagne. Pippin, having graduated from university, is searching for his personal purpose and life’s meaning. Leading Player promises to help in his quest, while promising a spectacular finale for the audience. BrightSide’s presentation is a dazzling and absolutely delightful production that offers both a polished playfulness and a thought-provoking punch.

One of the highlights of this production is Phil Videckis’ finely guided Musical Direction. The talented cast boasts some of the most accomplished vocal work to be heard at BrightSide Theatre. And this Musical Direction carries through to Conducting a terrifically talented seven-member onstage Orchestra, who not only accompany the singers but also play a role near the end of the play.

The cast is led by two marvelously talented new actors. A law student at Northwestern, lovely and lithe Asia Posey demonstrates, as the Leading Player, that she’s also a gifted actor/singer/dancer. How exciting to witness this talented young woman’s powerful debut on the musical stage. She handles Schwartz’s music with great finesse and enunciates each and every word loud and clear. For a first-time actress, there’s absolutely no sign of nervousness in Ms. Posey’s performance, and Asia shows that dance and creative movement come easily to her. This young lady is a true star in the making. 

She’s matched note-for-note by Tommy O’Brien’s exquisitely honest and multilayered portrayal of Pippin. Immersing himself into this challenging character, young Mr. O’Brien, who was seen in BrightSide’s recent concert production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, boasts a more extensive resume of musical theatre roles. He was last seen in Highland Park Players’ polished production of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, as well as BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY with Dunes Arts. Possessing boyish good looks and an accomplished and trained singing voice, Tommy makes an affable, appealing young leading man in this production. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of both of these talented actors in the near future.

Excellent performances are turned in by a terrific supporting cast. In addition to a hardworking and adept ensemble of triple-threats, the cast includes Stan Austin (Ebenezer Scrooge in BrightSide’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL) as a bullish Charlemagne; Michelle Bollinger (Ilona in BrightSide’s production of SHE LOVES ME) as Pippin’s sexy and seductive stepmother, Fastrada; Thomas Ferro (Peter in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at BrightSide) is hilariously nasty and narcissistic as Lewis; lovely Meghan Kessel (Nellie in  BrightSide’s JEKYLL AND HYDE) brings beauty, warmth and maturity to a very likable young widow, Catherine; Cheryl Newman, making her onstage debut, is BrightSide’s Costume Designer. She done a monumental job clothing this cast in her Medieval Modern Costumes, but she almost steals the show as Berthe, Pippin’s beautifully bawdy Grandmother; and young Evelyn Dorough (Chip in BrightSide’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR) is sweet and unexpectedly salty as Theo, Catherine’s young child.

Kudos must go to the unseen talent who help bring this production to life. Choreographer Aria Brynne should receive special applause for her free-spirited Fosse-inspired movement and dances. Scenic Designer Arabella Zurbano has created a fun, freeform environment that consists of a colorful false proscenium, two mobile stair units that are often used to reveal new characters and other surprises, and a collection of stacking blocks that are painted with period illustrations and song lyrics. The stage is awash in colorful Lighting by Kurt Ottinger and Prop Designer Delaney Kosar meets the challange, especially with Theo’s side-splitting sick duck.

Pippin spends over two hours searching everywhere for some purpose in his life (expressed musically in the lovely “Corner of the Sky”). He tries his hand at war, dabbles in art and experiences the pastoral life. He tries to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, pursues religion, revolution and political reform and ultimately learns that life is most fulfilling when it’s shared with someone you love. In what could’ve been a prosaic play about an historically insignificant prince during the Middle Ages, Stephen Schwartz and collaborator Roger O. Hirson created an anachronistic tale that sparkles with humor, contemporary music and choreography while teaching theatergoers a worthwhile lesson. Shattering the fourth wall, the musical is a bit surreal and presentational as a Leading Player and her troupe of actors invite the audience to join Pippin on his journey to enlightenment. And in the process, Jeffrey Cass has guided his own troupe of players to present much “Magic To Do,” a fittingly finale to BrightSide Theatre’s fantastic season.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June13-29 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com