Pippin at the East West Players in LA

So I finally got a chance to see a production of Pippin. I've only seen the filmed poduction with Ben Vereen and William Katt and I've always enjoyed the musical. So when East West Players was going to put it on I was excited because I always love their productions and I love how they put an Asian flair to their stuff as well as cast all Asian actors for a majority of their shows.

So this version of Pippin was very different and I had to get used to it. The filmed version and the Fosse choregraphy are so ingrained into my mind that it's just hard to not compare during the show so I'm going to see how best I can not compare now (which I doubt will happen). I'm not going to focus too much on actors but rather the re-invention of the show.

East West Players (EWP) did their Pippin in the style of hip hop and anime. So the dancing was all hip hop flavor and the costumes were like you were watching an episode of any numerous japanes anime. The music was also updated to be very techno/hip hop. In fact, the music was all done by a keyboard, a guitar and a DJ! The setting was pretty much feudal Japan. The was pretty bare, just some wire platforms and a screen for showing slides and images. Worked really well. The only set piece of prop would be the bed used in all of Act 2 for the Catherine scenes.

Now I really wanted to love this show but I only really liked it. They were on the right track (no pun intended) with this show but somewhere down the line they missed a few things. I love hip hop and that culture and was really excited to see what they were going to do with it. I was expecting to see something like America's Best Dance Crew (you know that MTV show) and I didn't. The choregraphy felt lifeles at times (except for the sex scene which I thought they did an AMAZING job, they staged it like some techno rave party and it looked awesome). When I think hip hop I think energetic and they just barely gave that in the choregraphy. In fact, same with the acting. When I think anime I think over the top and wild emotions, but everyone in the cast felt like they were directed to be emotionless and look boring pretty much the entire time. The Leading Player was a good example. He pretty much played the role like Laurence Fishburn in The Matrix movies which bugged the crap out of me. The actor didn't display any range of emotions except for brooding and moody, but his dancing was exceptional as well as a few acting choices I felt were better than Ben Vereen's. And they went for the ending where Theo sang Corner of the Sky. I quite liked that ending very much. Oh and the actor playing Pippin was excellent. Oh and the music. You know, oddly enough I missed the 70s sound to it. I felt like the hip hop stuff worked but I was expecting something more in your face and something you'd hear at the clubs. I felt like I was listening to computerized midi music.

Watching this show reminded me of how much THE WIZ failed at the La Jolla Playhouse when they tried to update it. This version of Pippin updated the show but wasn't self-aware of it and didn't try to condescend to the audience. The creative team actually took their time and research to update the show for a modern sensibility while also trying to keep the Asian culture in mind. With a lot of work I can see this show being done on Broadway (although I doubt and plus this wasn't a pre-broadway tryout) and I hope that when Pippin is revived, they actually use this production as HOW to modernize and update a work without bastardizing it in any way shape or form.

Anyways, another great job from EWP. I've always loved their shows and will continue support all they do for theater and the Asian American community!

I was REALLY excited to see this production as I am a huge fan of Pippin, and have always heard great things about East West Players. I was disappointed.
I loved their concept, and what they attempted to do with it - but, ultimately, don't think they went far enough. I felt it lacked energy and urgency - across the board. There were moments when a number, or moment, started to get exciting, but just never reached it's potential. Too bad. I think the story is very relevant, and this production was on the verge of making it even more relevant - but it fell flat.
I am grateful to have finally discovered East West Players, though, and look forward to what they do in the future.

I was there with a group of directors - we were attending a week-long directors lab workshop. We actually spoke about that afterwards at a talk back. That was not the case. There was also a member of our group who is very involved with the Kabuki style, and his opinion was that if that were the case, they still did not push far enough.
Don't get me wrong - it was an enjoyable evening. There was some clever choreography (though not always well executed), some interesting performances, and yes - the design was beautiful. But, again, the majority of the group I was with was underwhelmed.

EDIT: I just looked at their website and noticed I saw the show on one of their first performances. Could be they were still feeling their way around a bit.

Updated On: 6/21/08 at 10:23 PM