it’s crazy when you see a flawless piece of theater art but that’s exactly what this is. pippin is essential viewing for all theater kids who are actually cool. bob fosse and stephen schwartz are a legendary duo and truly created a masterpiece that will live on forever. it’s avant garde and camp, constantly referencing itself and the medium to tell the story. the music, choreography, lights, set, costumes, and sound come together in perfect harmony. pippin truly highlights all that live theater is meant to be: innovative. the recent seasons on broadway have been completely devoid of the magic that pippin, and live theater as a whole, captures.
ben vereen is a fucking monster in this. the leading player is already such an incredible role and vereen knocks it out of the park. he is high energy, exuberant, and scene stealing. my favorite number is by far “glory” and vereen gives an incredible performance, not just vocally but also with a cartoonishly fosse dance break. william katt does a spectacular job as pippin and not discussion of the show is complete without acknowledging chita rivera as fastrada.
i did get to see the revival of this in 2013, which is also insane. that version definitely leans more into the circus aspect of the show and ends on a much more sinister note. but truly, pippin is one of the great american musicals of the 20th century and i’m so thankful this recording exists.
it’s crazy when you see a flawless piece of theater art but that’s exactly what this is. pippin is essential viewing for all theater kids who are actually cool. bob fosse and stephen schwartz are a legendary duo and truly created a masterpiece that will live on forever. it’s avant garde and camp, constantly referencing itself and the medium to tell the story. the music, choreography, lights, set, costumes, and sound come together in perfect harmony. pippin truly highlights all that live theater is meant to be: innovative. the recent seasons on broadway have been completely devoid of the magic that pippin, and live theater as a whole, captures.
ben vereen is a fucking monster in this. the leading player is already such an incredible role and vereen knocks it out of the park. he is high energy, exuberant, and scene stealing. my favorite number is by far “glory” and vereen gives an incredible performance, not just vocally but also with a cartoonishly fosse dance break. william katt does a spectacular job as pippin and not discussion of the show is complete without acknowledging chita rivera as fastrada.
i did get to see the revival of this in 2013, which is also insane. that version definitely leans more into the circus aspect of the show and ends on a much more sinister note. but truly, pippin is one of the great american musicals of the 20th century and i’m so thankful this recording exists.
