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Ana Nicole Rodriguez Ana Nicole Reviews Pippin at the Debaun Auditorium Pippin presents the story of a young man who ventures on a spiritual journey to find purpose in his life; and, while in search of this, experiences war, sex and politics, and ultimately puts an end to his meandering when he falls in love with the ordinary but lovable Catherine (Heather Hanemann). The production of Pippin by Debaun Auditorium is unlike the original, in that the play is set in present day, which allows appreciation of the play among todayÍs youth. Upon entering, one notices the provocative stage setting, which includes: a discarded mattress, handcuffs, graffiti on the walls (one amusing sign reads, ñloserî), and a shopping cart. The characters enter the scene wearing colorful leg warmers, UFOs and mini skirts. The modern and inviting atmosphere (set design by Kelly Brandon) makes for anticipation as to what adventures lie ahead. As the play progresses, some of the more memorable scenes include: PippinÍs (Matt Mager) momentary transformation into a famous pop singer/rapper, the conniving Fastrata (Jenny R. Bates) plotting the murder of King Charlemagne (K. Claude Cundiff), the infamous battle scene where strobe lights are used to illustrate the intensity and ferocity of war and blood-shed, and the Queen indulging in foreplay with her son Lewis. The original music by Stephen Schwartz is energetic and universally enjoyable, and the live band on stage makes the music even more thrilling. However, the most exciting musical numbers include: ñMagic To Doî and ñSimple Joysî by the leading player (Robert Gonzales Jr.) and players; ñNo Time at Allî by Berthe (Judith Moss) and players, where the audience is encouraged to sing along; and, of course, ñCorner of the Skyî by the adorable Pippin. Pippinn has to be commended for conveying the powerful message that one can find true meaning in his or her life, even in the most seemingly ordinary persons, whose love then provides the basis for substantial living. Pippin was only slightly able to illustrate this when he declines the playerÍs influences and makes the difficult decision to stay with Catherine; however, generally, the story effectively illustrates this notion on life. Perhaps Pippin could have better expressed his ambivalent desires, his conflict in choosing between a life of simple pleasures with the players, or the rough, rocky road of romantic commitment with his love, Catherine -- despite her shortcomings. Overall, the humorous Pippin, although it had a few prolonged scenes, was captivating and engaging. In particular, it was amusing to see the actors stay in character during intermission and interact with the audience members. Notably, the production was enjoyed by a wide variety of people, as evident in the diverse crowd, who thoroughly enjoyed the performance. While the play was charming, it was not without flaws: the quality of the dancers was poor, and the choreography was a bit bland. Despite these minor imperfections, the production of Pippin at Debaun Auditorium is worth seeing, especially for those who appreciate witty banter and stimulating musical numbers. |
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