Musical Theater Review: Pippin

Pippin is flippin' spectacular!

The four-time Tony Award-winning musical Pippin delivers all of the fascinating components that audiences could reasonably want from a nationally-touring Broadway production. The bright whimsical costumes, bold circus-inspired set design, and buttery smooth vocals from actors with that triple-threat "it" factor are brilliantly combined with jaw-dropping acrobatics by the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 Doigts de la Main, song after song of well-known Broadway standards like "Corner of the Sky" and "Magic To Do," along with distinctively remarkable Bob Fosse-style choreography complete with racy hip thrusts and fancy jazz hands.

The gently-paced plotline is filled with a uniquely surrealistic intermingling of drama, humor, suspense, and full-on razzle-dazzle as it tells the compelling story of the young prince Pippin who finds himself on a death-defying quest to find self-fulfillment as he struggles to discover purpose and significance in life. Determined to live a life that’s extraordinary, Pippin (Sam Lips) explores a variety of personal vices and worldly pursuits before eventually ending up profoundly unsatisfied and in “utter, complete, abject despair.”

The show is packed with fantastic high-level talent including the two heavy hitters of John Rubinstein now performing as King Charlemagne (after having originated the title role of Pippin on Broadway when he starred with Ben Vereen, Jill Clayburgh, Irene Ryan, and more) and well-known actress Adrienne Barbeau (seen in 25 films and over 500 television appearances including Maude) currently playing Pippin’s wise and attractive grandmother who deftly performs captivating acrobatic maneuvers as she’s suspended on a hoop high above the stage.

While the show is very popular with the thirty-something crowd, it is also apparently offering mass appeal to Baby Boomers. And although that could perhaps be due to the extremely surprising twist ending, the unexpected costume quick-changes, the captivating fire jugglers, random accordion player, aerial silk artists, feats of balance and strength, or even the cuuute little live puppy ... we suppose it’s far more likely due to the fact that Pippin’s emotionally-exhausting plight becomes increasingly relatable to theatergoers of a more ‘seasoned’ age.

This highly entertaining revival of the hit Pippin (which is quite similar in style to a cross between Cabaret and Monty Python’s Spamalot) is all at once intriguing, and graceful, and touching, and action-packed, and funny, and a lil’ bit naughty ... and in the end, isn’t that what most of us are ultimately striving to be as well?

Pippin, the most nominated Broadway show of 2013, runs at the Music Hall at Fair Park presented by Dallas Summer Musicals now through Sunday, July 19, 2015 with tickets ranging from $25.00 to $98.00. The tour then heads to Bass Hall July 21-26 presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth. The beloved score is by Tony nominee Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell), direction by Tony winner Diane Paulus (Hair and the Gershwins Porgy and Bess), and choreography by Tony Award-nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse.

For more information, see performance details below, view additional general information about Dallas Summer Musicals, or visit the Dallas Summer Musicals website to Get Tickets for this or other upcoming shows, and more.

Dallas Summer Musicals' highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season has been announced kicking off with Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, November 3-22, 2015; followed by Elf The Musical, December 8-20, 2015; The Bridges of Madison County, February 2-14, 2016; DSM's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, March 11-27, 2016; Wicked, April 20-May 22, 2016 as a season add-on; Ragtime, May 24-June 5, 2016; Bullets Over Broadway, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42nd Street, June 28-July 10, 2016. Performing Arts Fort Worth's 2015-2016 Broadway at the Bass Season kicks off with the Fort Worth debut of The Book Of Mormon Dec. 1-6, 2015; followed by Motown The Musical January 13-17, 2016; Disney's The Little Mermaid March 29-April 3, 2016; The Wizard of Oz June 7-12, 2016; 42nd Street July 12-17, 2016; The Sound Of Music August 17-21, 2016; and, closing out the season, the spectacular new production of The Phantom Of The Opera Oct. 20-30, 2016. Dallas Summer Musicals and Performing Arts Fort Worth will co-present three of these titles: Disney's The Little Mermaid, 42nd Street, and The Sound Of Music. The shows will play in Dallas for two weeks, then head to Fort Worth for limited, one-week runs.

Dallas Summer Musicals