Pippin in Toronto

[Honeyhoney2]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 8:56am

Hey, Has anyone one seen this yet? I am going tonight and I am very curious!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:46am

Let us know how it is.

Akiva

[Tag]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:20pm

Going next week. Let me know how it is as I have no clue what to expect (I know nothing about Pippin).

Tonight's opening night so have fun! Updated On: 10/31/06 at 01:20 PM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:23pm

Tonight is the press night, so I'll be there. Look for me in the lower lounge at intermission (if there is an intermission... the original production didn't have one.)

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:36am

The full review has been posted and should be up tomorrow.

In a nutshell: Great songs, very good cast...all undone by a really weak book and lacklustre direction.

Updated On: 11/1/06 at 03:36 AM

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 3:04pm

The two people I know who have seen it (both are true theatre lovers) thought the show was a disaster and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 3:11pm

FrontRowCentre:

Oddly enough, I thought the exact opposite.

Boring songs, uninteresting orchstrations, but the only thing that made interesting was inventive staging and good direction, and few great performances (The Leading Player and Catherine in particular).

Akiva
Updated On: 11/3/06 at 03:11 PM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 7:23pm

I think the main problem is that the songs have little to do with the book. This production took everything way too serious. I saw a High School do PIPPIN about 5 years ago and theires was at least fast and funny and goofy.


Now, go see THE STORY OF MY LIFE and let me know what you think of that!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 8:34pm

I think its great they keep exploring new directorial angles, but frankly this, same as ACL, was a show that really was all about the original staging. I'm not sure they should attempt a major revival without it.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:21am

Or, if not the original staging, something creatively brilliant to replace it, which the current production (of PIPPIN) has failed to come up with.

Somone really needs to write new coherent book around Schwartz's score.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 7:03pm

Saw it last week, agree w Link re Catherine & Leading Player, Pippin "grew" on me but I really didn't like the staging foundit very awkward @ times. The Circ de Soleil bits were well, uninspired & unneccesary as if they were delibertely trying to find something "new" beyond the Fosse choreography ( which I found a bit sad that there was NO mention @ all of the man in the credits when his mark is still all over it. Poss a legal thing?) The "sex" ballet looked like a more frenetic version of the "Fly Me" dance frm "All That Jazz!" Charlemange seemed deflated when somehow he should be played by an overinflated actor. Lewis was suitably lucious.
SUPPOSEDLY this tour is a pre Broadway tryout but frankly I don't see it. I kinda liked the original ending better but the book is such a mess I can see why they fiddled about w it but the changes are no improvement. ( I still love "Magic to Do" however and don't regret going. )