Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-07

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-07#1

Posted: 1/3/07 at 6:49pm

I saw the show last night, with Micky Dolenz (sp?), and walked away disappointed.

Although there was a great attempt by the director to "dazzle" the audience with magic, I felt like the production was a group of professional actors working for a night. There was no connection with the audience or a heart felt attempt to reach the musical comedy soul of Pippin.

Let me say that the Orange County Performing Arts Center is a horrible place to see a show. It is like sitting in a airplane hanger. The front of the stage to the first row is about 5 to 7 yards. It has a huge orch. pit.

The Leading Player was solid. Pippin was a sniveling teenager, rather than an 'extraordinary' young man in search of the meaning of life. (Michael Arden's portrayal should have been researched by this actor) Micky D. was stiff and unfamiliar with the feel of the staging and the comedic timing his role required. Catherine's actress (sorry I don't have the program with the proper names of each actor) was the highlight of the show. She was true professional. Good acting posture and a tremendous voice. I can't wait to see her again.

The cast was talented and on target in every scene, but they too looked like they couldn't wait to get the show over with and pick up their check. The cast could have overshadowed the primary actors, but they chose to be content in their role.

As some of you may know, Pippin is one of my favorite shows. So my analysis maybe a bit rough. But it did feel like I visited a friend I haven't seen in awhile and found him to sick and unmotivated to get well. I hope Pippin revives on Broadway soon, especially before Michael Arden gets to old, the show is a good friend of mine.

rick

"Bad theater is better than no theater" Some smart guy.

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 06:49 PM

[FosseForever3]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#2

Posted: 1/3/07 at 7:14pm

perhaps a dumb question, is this the post Goodspeed tour? if so, I have several friends in the ensemble. they all have mixed reviews themselves regarding the creative process, but are all having an absolute blast...I wish I could see it!!!!

"Now she wants to know WHY, if I'm so fabulous, I would WANT to take care of her child.....I answer with as much filigree and insouciance as I can muster, trying to slightly cock my head like Snow White listening to the animals. She, in turn, is aiming for more of a Diane-Sawyer-pose, looking for answers which will confirm that I am not there to steal her husband, jewelry, friends, or child. In that order." The Nanny Diaries

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#2

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:14am

Fosse, where is Goodspeed based out of?

"Bad theater is better than no theater" Some smart guy.

[CurtainPullDowner]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#3

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:21am

Micky Dolenz of THE MONKEES??
You have to name at least one of the actors.
please

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#4

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:34am

I agree with almost everything you have to say. I saw the tour in Toronto and it stunk.

Akiva

[Tag]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#5

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:18am

Saw it in Toronto as well and wasted my time and money while doing so.

[FosseForever3]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#6

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:13am

hey sorry to get back to you so late. Goodspeed Opera House, in CT (I'm positive they didn't go to Toronto so I very well might be thinking of a completely different production.)
whateves :)

"Now she wants to know WHY, if I'm so fabulous, I would WANT to take care of her child.....I answer with as much filigree and insouciance as I can muster, trying to slightly cock my head like Snow White listening to the animals. She, in turn, is aiming for more of a Diane-Sawyer-pose, looking for answers which will confirm that I am not there to steal her husband, jewelry, friends, or child. In that order." The Nanny Diaries

[notyourself]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#7

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:25am

Goodspeed's tour did go to Toronto, as well as Orange County.

[Tag]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#8

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:36am

Toronto was the first stop on the Goodspeed tour, as it was last year with The Boyfriend too.

[FosseForever3]

re: Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-06#9

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:46am

aha, I feel tho thmart. Thanks guys...was it really that bad? A waste of time and money? There are some hard core dancers in that cast...

"Now she wants to know WHY, if I'm so fabulous, I would WANT to take care of her child.....I answer with as much filigree and insouciance as I can muster, trying to slightly cock my head like Snow White listening to the animals. She, in turn, is aiming for more of a Diane-Sawyer-pose, looking for answers which will confirm that I am not there to steal her husband, jewelry, friends, or child. In that order." The Nanny Diaries

[Act4ever]

re:#10

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:54am

is the subject supposed to be Pippin-Tour-Orange County 1-2-07?? ... since it is 2007 now... I was just confused

[DAME]

re:#11

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:16pm

The Los Angeles times panned it this morning. And they like everything.

HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

[DAME]

re:#12

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:19pm

review

HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

re:#13

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:53pm

Dame...did you read the review. I don't think Mr. Miller was too thrilled about the performance. When you see the word "underwelmed" in a review that is usually a negative opinion.

(Sorry about the year mistake, I made the proper change, thanks for the correction)

"Bad theater is better than no theater" Some smart guy.

[Tag]

re:#14

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:56pm

There was one ensemble member with his shirt off for the whole show. That was where my focus was.

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Re#15

Posted: 1/4/07 at 2:01pm

Tag...I think you got it...Pippin was designed to be a HOT show. One reviewer stated "Pippin's staging so overtly sexy that audiences needed a smoke afterward."

But there is more to the show...much more. Hehe.

"Bad theater is better than no theater" Some smart guy.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Re#16

Posted: 1/4/07 at 2:04pm

Sounds like it needed more of that TAG.

[D2]

Re#17

Posted: 1/4/07 at 2:23pm

Whatever success and/or reputation "Pippin" has is owed to one person and one person alone: Bob Fosse. Without his vision the show would never have made it at all.

Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)

[kyle.]

Re#18

Posted: 1/4/07 at 3:36pm

The cast sounds AWFUL on the video in the LA TIMES review! Eek! Thanks for the link to that DAME!

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Re#19

Posted: 1/4/07 at 6:06pm

Kyle...the cast was not that bad. They sang admirably. It was the principles, sans Catherine, that were very weak.

"Bad theater is better than no theater" Some smart guy.

[Little_Mary_Sunshine]

Re#20

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:12pm

When I saw the production in Hershey, I loved Catherine and The Leading Player. And I loved how Louis looked too. But vocally I thought the show was really weak. Plus, am I the only one*other than a few select friends of mine who saw the show in Hershey too* who thought Shannon Lewis was awful? Her voice was horrible and I didn't think she could really act either, though she was a great dancer. However, that's about all she had going for her.

[WalkOn]

Re#21

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:19pm

YOu just saved me a two hour drive.

Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart; and you'll never walk alone.

[RentBoy86]

Re#22

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:31pm

Is this the tour that Groff was suppose to be on? Guess he's glad he went to B'way instead. Isn't James Royce Edwards in this as well?

[sabrelady]

Re#23

Posted: 1/4/07 at 10:02pm

Apparently Toronto has become the "test" city for pre Bway tours. I don't think this will be going to Bway.
U are right- so much of this show originated w Fosse- now a watered down version of his vision

[gustof777]

Re#24

Posted: 1/4/07 at 10:07pm

oooh would have loved to see Groff's Pippin haha and maybe Lea as Catherine...haha i kid sort of

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~