A.R.T Pippin — Page 2

Cukor, curious, what's your issue with Chet? I'm fine with him recreating Fosse stuff--just the way I am with Baayork Lee doing the same. I kinda wish Wayne Cilento would have stuck to that and never started thinking he could do his own work... (actually, I don't think much of Anne Reinking's choreography--when she doesn't use the Fosse vocabulary, either). Still, doesn't sound like something he should be criticized for.

I'm seeing this on Dec. 16th and looking forward to it. Here's more info on it from an article in the Globe:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2012/12/01/taking-pippin-big-top-art/SIcZWoLDpPb3ydEexcruGK/story.html

I was going to re-watch the 1981 version before next weekend, but I'm thinking I'd be better off if I don't. Sounds like it will be quite different anyway.

Cukor, fair enough I heard that show was a mess staging wise, but was the actual Jack Cole choreography recreation was decent... Wasn't it?

I believe Chet's failure with HEATWAVE was re-creating the Excitement of Cole's work. They did the steps but the show had no shape or drive.

I still stand by my opinion that TLP should be a man.
The music is written for a particular male voice (as was the choreography for a male body).
Frastrada is the sexy female role, another sexy female (plus a sexy ensemble of dancers can be overkill).
HE should be apart from the preceedings (till the very end). Any sexual chemistry between TLP and Pip should be subtle not overt (as Patina's costume promises).
Can a woman play it?
Sure.
That don't make it right.

What are the pluses of a female in this role?
Pip already has a wiser older (much older) guide in his Granny.

I like Patina a lot, but what can she bring to this role as a Woman?

Updated On: 12/7/12 at 11:59 PM

Curtain--that makes sense about the failure to convey the feeling under the steps.

I don't really see the gender issue, though--and I'm not sure Fosse would've either. The Leading Player has to be sexually charismatic, but as Fosse's production shows, the sexual orientation is not the point--Pippin isn't turned on by the LP sexually, though he is turned on by what he promises. I think that could work with either gender, as long as they don't play up Pippin wanting to sleep with the LP now that, umm, he's a she.

DP

Updated On: 12/7/12 at 12:36 AM

^Pippin experiments? Do I need to watch the DVD again? I don't remember that.

Not in a FOSSE Musical.

Oh man, the options for the Weisslers' stunt casting Berthe boggle the mind. They should really run with it and bring people in for a week or a month at a time.

Updated On: 12/7/12 at 08:40 AM

'From the press release:
"The American Repertory Theater's new production of the 1970's musical Pippin, which will debut later this season, will utilize the original Bob Fosse choreography recreated by Fosse protege Chet Walker."

Maybe they're confused because the actual website states...

Choreography: Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse

http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/pippin

What are the chances of a Tony for Diane Paulus if it transfers? I know lots of people can't stand her but I thought she was fully deserving for her production of Hair.

---

What are her chances? The same they will be for all the other nominees. I don't mean to sound snarky, but what other answer can there be right now? An actual transfer, and more specifically, an actual transfer THIS season, isn't even guaranteed.

I like Paulus' work, I loved Hair, I even loved Porgy and Bess (I know, shoot me) and expect that I will be one of those that are likely to really like Pippin as well. I already adore the source material.

---

He is tempted by men and women, and the brief interaction with men, to me is like when one get a little freaky, drunk in college,, but the character is absolutely straight in his major reationship wth Cathryn. (not that anyone is 100% anything).