Pippin

I doubt the concert mounting with Michael Arden will be recorded, only because there are rumors about an upcoming revival of the show. Same reason the Chess concert wasn't preserved on CD.

---

Oh ok cool, Thanks. i'll just put off buying it then.

You must have only gone to one of their actual concert productions. They put on full-scale shows more often though. Pippin was a full-scale show.

Reprise productions are real productions, as much so as recent revivals of Chicago and Wonderful Town (which also had the orchestra onstage). Pippin was a polished production which lacked only elaborate sets (unnecessary for Pippin in any case). It received unanimous rave reviews (at least all those I read). Performances, singing, dancing, costumes, all were sensational. It was not at all a concert, and as it was done with scarcely two weeks of rehearsal, I'd call it pretty much a miracle. As to it not being recorded, it's a real shame, because the OBC recording has the very weak-voiced John Rubenstein not even coming close to the gorgeous voice of Michael Arden. Anyone who saw Michael in Pippin will be seriously disappointed by the OBC recording.

So do I! I wish they'd bring back here to NY too!

---

Did you get to see or hear Arden sing Morning Glow while Pippin was in concert here in NY? With an entire chorus singing backup it was incredible-gave me the chills!

---

Thanks for bringing back the subject of Pippin. Yes, the Reprise! production was top shelf. Michael Arden carried the show, Sam Harris was working his chucky 'arse' off, and the remaining players were in a word "ideal". If anyone has a recording...hand it over!

The Reprise! shows at UCLA always have the orchestra on stage due to the fact there is no pit. The fact that they are on stage lends to its own unique experience.

Morning Glow was outstanding and also brought chills to me.

---

Very interesting post Mallardo. I don't think the Equity rules are different here, because Musical Theatre Guild does them the same way you describe for Encores (with script in hand). MTG show are "staged readings" and actors are required by Equity to hold their scripts, except during dance numbers I believe. Reprise shows must fall into a different category. I would guess that they are considered actual productions, the only difference being that the orchestra is on stage, and sets are quite simple. Brigadoon was vitually setless (and for that reason I think the production suffered, as it was hard to imagine the heather on the hill), while Babes in Arms and Company had quite clever sets that utilized the orchestra while still giving the feeling of a real stage set. Pippin was somewhere in between. By the way, if you're not familiar with MTG, you should go to their shows. Their full season is at the Alex in Glendale, one performance only. Some of their shows also play in Long Beach and Thousand Oaks. I recently saw them do Redhead (with Jane Lanier) and Roberta (with Kim Huber). Upcoming are Noel Coward's Sail Away (might see it) and Lippa's The Wild Party (June 6, only at the Alex) which I will definitely be seeing. Even script in hand and setless, they do top-notch work, about 90-95% Equity cast, with many Broadway and Regional vets in their casts.
MUSICAL THEATRE LEAGUE

eslgr8, thanks, as always, for the heads up. You are a true fount of information. I will definitely try to catch The Wild Party!!!

---

Does anyone have the link to the video with clips of the Pippin AIDs Day Concert?

anyone hear ARDEN on WallTo Wall Sondheim?
His "Giants in the Sky" was a highlight of the Day!

Yes, Ben was involved. There was a video highlights that was just fascinating. I do hope there is a BW revival soon.