The Two of Us Productions to present Pippin, The Musical
- amymodesti5
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Preview by Amy Modesti
COPAKE - Coming soon to the stage of Copake Grange Hall will be Pippin, The Musical, a 1972 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and based on the book written by Roger O. Hirson.
The musical, directed by The Two of Us Productions co-founder, Stephen Sanborn, will open Friday, Nov. 7, and will run for two weekends through Sunday, Nov. 16. The Friday and Saturday performances (Nov. 7- Nov. 8, Nov. 14-Nov.15) are at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinees (Nov. 9 & Nov. 16) are at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. To purchase advance tickets and reserve seats, visit www.TheTwoOfUsProductions.org, or by calling (518)-329-6293.
About Pippin, The Musical
Pippin, The Musical focuses on the tale of Pippin, a young prince who searches for meaning in his life. Young Pippin, heir to the Frankish throne of the Roman Empire around 780 A.D., is searching for the secret of true happiness and fulfillment. Pippin seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power after he disposes of his father, King Charlemagne the Great. Pippin discovers that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the extraordinary moments that happen every day.
Pippin, The Musical was written by Roger O. Hirson, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway production, directed by the legendary Bob Fosse, was produced in 1972. It was later revived in 2013. Pippin is regarded as a Broadway smash due to its innovative storytelling, memorable music, and striking staging and visual elements.
The Copake show features Zachary Nayer (Pippin), Jeffrey Jene (King Charlemagne the Great), Debra Hughes (Fastrada), Mason Lowe (Lewis), Kitt LaPaix (Berthe), Karissa Payson (Catherine), Lily Troche (Thea, first weekend), Edie Parillo (Thea, second weekend), and Constance Lopez (Leading Player). Additional PLAYERS include Matthew Leinung, Cyndi Miller, and Sherri Lewis.
All the cast doubles as players since the play is structured as an anecdotal telling of the tale of Pippin, son of Charlemagne as a play within a play, Sanborn said.
As with all the productions that this local theatre company puts on, they will include a ten-person live orchestra, with Sanborn conducting Pippin. This orchestra includes musicians from the Hudson Valley, Capital District, and Berkshire County who all volunteer their time and talent to perform for the show.
“Pippin features a unique structure that blends its coming-of-age story with themes of self-discovery and existentialism; it incorporates a play-within-a-play format, engaging audiences with its meta-theatrical approach.” Sanborn said. “The music and lyrics of composer Stephen Schwartz’s works frequently feature themes of self-discovery, friendship, and moral dilemmas, making a significant impact on contemporary musical theater.”
Pippin, Sanborn said, was something that he and Lopez were thinking about for quite some time, and they felt that the time was right to share a “timeless story that was startingly contemporary and well worth telling.”
Reimagining Pippin for the Grange stage for the couple has been an exhilarating challenge, and they’ve been assisted by contributions from magician and Selkirk resident, Jeffrey Jene.
Entering Jeffrey Jene
Jeffrey Jene began singing and acting in musical theater in 2010 as part of Schenectady Light Opera Company’s production of Carousel, and since then, has been involved in 20 musicals. Some of those included A Tale of Two Cities, Frankenstein, and Secret Garden.
At first, Jene didn’t know much about Pippin beforehand until a fellow actor suggested that the role of King Charlemagne the Great would be a good part for him, and after listening to the show recording, Jene decided to audition.
Prior to Pippin, Jene previously worked with The Two of Us Productions years ago on A Tale of Two Cities, and Jene was confident that playing in Pippin would be a great experience.
“Charles” Charlemagne is a tyrant ruler in a battle against the Visigoths. He leads with an iron fist, removing all those in his path.” Jene explains. “He is the father of Pippin, whom he loves very much, and he sends Pippin to a university where he could develop his brain and accepts him into his own army afterwards.”
In the Pippin revival, magic illusions were used to good effect and with Jene being a magician, he also took on the side role of “magical consultant”. For this play, Jene developed a few special illusions that will be used, including a very special appearance of the leading player, he said.
As for what spectators can see in Pippin, according to Jene, it is the journey in a coming-of-age story as Pippin tries to find his purpose and meaning in life. As for Charlemagne, even as a tyrant, Jene’s character will add humor, as well as drama to the show.
“When my player is “out of character” as one of the casts, you will definitely see magic!” Jene said.
“We have certainly looked to the Broadway productions for inspiration but also had to creatively imagine how to present the story on the Grange’s stage with live music from our pit orchestra. We hope that the production we have designed and lovingly built will please our enthusiastic local audiences.” Sanborn said.
Where to see Pippin, The Musical
Pippin, The Musical can be seen at Copake Grange Hall, located at 628 Empire Road, Copake, NY 12516. To purchase tickets, please go to www.TheTwoOfUsProductions.org.
Selected scenes taken during the stage rehearsal for Pippin, The Musical at Copake Grange Hall in Copake, NY. All photos taken by Stephen Sanborn of The Two of Us Productions
