Barry Williams in an anecdotic revue...

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 2/20/21 at 6:43am

Let’s escape the brutal winter we are experiencing here in Milwaukee – and in most of the United States – by remembering the heyday of summer stock tents. There’s a brand-new page on my “Memories of Melody Top” website about a 1978 production of PIPPIN that starred Barry Williams. Click on the link in this message to see production and backstage photos, read newspaper reviews and listen to four songs made from a recording through the venue’s sound system. Williams’ take on “Corner of the Sky” may be one of the best ever performed, but I also love Alan Weeks’ mesmerizing singing of “Magic to Do.” Weeks’ Broadway career is impressive for his association with hits like THE WIZ and FUNNY GIRL. But he was also in some of the most fascinating flops of the 20th century: THE BODY BEAUTIFUL; HALLELUJAH, BABY!; THE FIG LEAVES ARE FALLING; BILLY; a revue, THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT; ROCKABYE HAMLET; A BROADWAY MUSICAL; OH, BROTHER!; THE TAP DANCE KID; and finally, BIG DEAL. This production of PIPPIN included a scene for The Head (of a fallen soldier), usually cut from current productions of the popular musical, which I may post if there is interest in hearing it. Let me know in your comments…

PIPPIN at "Memories of Melody Top"

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/20/21 at 1:22pm

Shot in the dark: was it the second scene where Pippin can't put the head back on its owner?

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/20/21 at 3:30pm

I saw this at Kenley Players in Akron OH that summer. Tommy Tune was the Lead Player!  (and an Andrews Sister-Patty?- was Berthe.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 2/21/21 at 4:36pm

The scene for The Head (of a fallen soldier) takes place between "Glory" and "Simple Joys." If I log 1,000 online visitors this week, I'll post the audio clip.

I just posted a new gallery of color images from Allen McMullen, Melody Top's assistant designer back in 1978. They represent the set-piece created for the "Grand Finale" of PIPPIN. Check it out!

Updated On: 2/21/21 at 04:36 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/22/21 at 8:05pm

So the first scene, in other words. That was never cut, to my knowledge. Being dropped from the 1981 broadcast doesn't count; David Sheehan made a lot of awful editing decisions. However, the second scene (where Pippin is hearing petitions, and the head demands to be restored to its body) is so rarely performed I can count the number of times I've seen it on one hand.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 2/26/21 at 9:07am

Because I'll reach 1,000 visitors to this page today, I decided to share just one more sound clip featuring The Head (of a fallen soldier) from Melody Top's production of PIPPIN. The Head was played by Clyde Laurents, another performer who deserves to be recognized for his Broadway appearances in PICKWICK, CELEBRATION, GANTRY and GIGI. Click on the original link in this post and scroll to the very bottom of the page to hear it. Thanks for visiting!