General Discussion: Pippin's Choreography- Page 2

[jv92]

Posted: 11/17/08 at 8:17am

I'll basically say what everyone else has: Fosse saved Pippin. The man made magic out of nothing. When he actually had brilliant material on his next show (Chicago), he REALLY made magic.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 11/17/08 at 11:52am

Doing PIPPIN without the Fosse staging would be like doing CHORUS LINE without the Bennett staging.

Why?

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/17/08 at 12:05pm

It was a magical blend, with Fosse in his prime.

I wonder how a Broadway revival would fair? (With the original staging, of course).

[WOSQ]

Posted: 11/17/08 at 3:12pm

Fosse got author royalties from Pippin and also got a share of the profits of the production in addition to his director/choreography royalties.

In the 70s NO ONE (note caps) got along with Stephen Schwartz and any number of production people kept him out of their theatres. This is one of the major reasons that after Working he sort of went under the radar until he started doing songs for Disney movies about 15 years later.

There was an uncontrolled ego on the loose after Godspell, Pippin and Magic Show. A lot of people shed no tears when Baker's Wife and Working failed.

The best critical dissection of Pippin was along the lines of a tiny little musical wrapped up in a great big shiny package.

Shortly before production began a big backer pulled out (200Gs out of a budget of 750Gs). Rather than delay, there were some major cuts made in the budget, much of it in the scenery which is why there is that 2D set made of rope at the show's start and then there really isn't much big scenery afterwards. The lighting is the design star of the show. Fosse, producer Stu Ostrow, Assoc Producer Kennedy Center and the other backers had the last laugh when they got higher profit distributions.

I never wanted to see the video having seen it on stage about 6 times. It is a theatre piece and probably wouldn't work in any other medium.

[evic]

Posted: 11/17/08 at 4:19pm

The Pas de Deux is named "The Satie" section...Ralph Burns' orchestrations pays tribute to the composer. It is a gorgeous sensuous ballet performed by the 2 girls with the longest legs in the company. It precedes the Mambo trio. Fun memories!

Posted: 11/17/08 at 6:08pm

"Doing PIPPIN without the Fosse staging would be like doing CHORUS LINE without the Bennett staging.

Why? "

I agree but tell that to those who do WSS without the Robbins staging, or Sweet Charity without the Fosse

"There was an uncontrolled ego on the loose after Godspell, Pippin and Magic Show. A lot of people shed no tears when Baker's Wife and Working failed. "

I've heard this too. I'm not a massive fan (though I find Pippin a very underated score, and love Baker's Wife's music) but I kinda get why he'd have a chip on his shoulder--he was young and had these instantly successful shows (even if not always cuz o0f his contribution) and the critics seemed to delight in giving him *no* credit for his work and awful reviews--I think a little unfairly.