This is an allegory of a person's life and goals and dreams and disappointments, utilizing a long dead, pretty much forgotten king (actually "Pepin"), practically fictionalized to show off a new wave of musical theatre that has moved on to other avenues yet is still greatly influenced by this entertaining, if now dated style. Bob Fosse, who had been around seemingly forever when this began its lengthy run, took on all the individual styles that he had used in his previous works, and had his first singular work on stage that melded all of those experimental ideas that had mastered his reputation on screen with the film versions of "Sweet Charity" and "Cabaret".
The whole idea of "Pippin" is basically a tale of growing up and finding oneself among the confusions of life. In the case of the dark ages prince Pippin, he's the smarter of the two sons of emperor Charlemagne, trying to figure out his destiny. Hr finds grandmotherly advice and love from a young lady, fatherly resentment and sibling rivalry. It's the "into the woods" theme with just one confused hero, and the giant in the sky is his own fear of an unknown future.
The greatest of American heroes, William Katt, is handsome, strong and sensual, perhaps lacking the vulnerability that oozes off the original cast album from John Rubinstein. Ben Vereen remains "magical" as the leading player, reminiscent of el Gallo in "The Fantadtiks" and the emcee in "Cabaret". Big names in small roles cone with Chita Rivera as his sensual wicked stepmother who only wants to", Spread a Little Sunshine" and Martha Raye who encourages us all to keep livin' in an audience sing along.
Certainly those who saw the original Broadway production or the smash revival will find disappointments in the cuts and certain aspects of this production, but it's what we've got as a representation of the original show. Most shows don't even get this! It's dated fun in its efforts to show us what it was all about, and indeed, there are moments that are quite wonderful. So as they had magic to do, some of it was really mystical.
The whole idea of "Pippin" is basically a tale of growing up and finding oneself among the confusions of life. In the case of the dark ages prince Pippin, he's the smarter of the two sons of emperor Charlemagne, trying to figure out his destiny. Hr finds grandmotherly advice and love from a young lady, fatherly resentment and sibling rivalry. It's the "into the woods" theme with just one confused hero, and the giant in the sky is his own fear of an unknown future.
The greatest of American heroes, William Katt, is handsome, strong and sensual, perhaps lacking the vulnerability that oozes off the original cast album from John Rubinstein. Ben Vereen remains "magical" as the leading player, reminiscent of el Gallo in "The Fantadtiks" and the emcee in "Cabaret". Big names in small roles cone with Chita Rivera as his sensual wicked stepmother who only wants to", Spread a Little Sunshine" and Martha Raye who encourages us all to keep livin' in an audience sing along.
Certainly those who saw the original Broadway production or the smash revival will find disappointments in the cuts and certain aspects of this production, but it's what we've got as a representation of the original show. Most shows don't even get this! It's dated fun in its efforts to show us what it was all about, and indeed, there are moments that are quite wonderful. So as they had magic to do, some of it was really mystical.