LITTLE ROCK — An emperor’s son with unexploited talents goes on a journey of self-discovery and discovers primarily what he doesn’t want to do, which is be in charge of anything, in the ’70s musical Pippin, opening Friday at Little Rock’s Weekend Theater.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for this tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic musical fairy tale, with a book by Roger O. Hirson.
Schwartz, now best known for the successful stage musical Wicked and his songs and scores for the Disney animated films Pocahontas and Hercules, first hit the big time with this show and 1972’s Godspell.
Pippin (Craig Wilson) is the oldest son of King Charles the Great (aka the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, played by Byron Taylor).
With the help of Leading Player (Malcolm Glover) of a traveling acting troupe, Pippin sets out to realize his dreams; through encounters with his scheming stepmother, Fastrada (Pamela Crane), stepbrother Lewis (Evan Tanner) and wise, earthy grandmother Berthe (Patti German), Pippin decides he does not want to be a soldier, politician, cleric, hedonist or even a cinder (a plot twist involving a planned grand finale immolation that goes somewhat awry).
Director John Thompson notes that Pippin’s journey, “including the sometimes dramatic and sometimes comedic consequences of his choices and his eventual understanding of where he truly belongs,” is what drew him to the show. And, “As a parent, I’m also struck with the underlying message that each person must find their own way. We can’t choose someone else’s path.”
Rounding out the cast: Julie Atkins as Catherine, a young widow; Charlie Askew as her son, Theo; and the “Band of Players”: Trevor Arnett, Anthony Gerard, Douglas Hammon, Emily McDow, Justin Pike, Sarah Richardson, Jeremy Ricketson, Brittany “Sparkles” Rorie, Jessica Smith, Roben R. Sullivant, David Weatherly and Natalie Williams.
Music director Jeannie Cross will lead the in-house band. Choreography by Pike and Smith incorporates some of the style of Bob Fosse, who directed the original production, which received 11 Tony nominations.
“The choreography can be extremely physical,” Thompson says, “and can range from seductively sensual to comedic — quite appropriate for Pippin,” which the theater suggests is appropriate primarily for mature audiences.
Thompson and costumer Debi Manire have decided on a Renaissance flavor for the costumes, with lots of jewel tones, and Thompson says the sets will feature “somewhat of a circuslike sparkle and flair, without going all Barnum & Bailey.”
Cast members will join magician Weatherly for a special performance Oct. 13 titled “Magic to Do” (also the title of the musical’s opening song). Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for a reception with food and a chance to mingle with the actors, followed by a 7 p.m. magic show and Pippin at 7:30. Tickets are $25.
Pippin
7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 23, Weekend Theater, West Seventh and Chester streets, Little Rock
Tickets: $20, $16 for students and senior citizens 65 and older
(501) 374-3761
weekendtheater.org-0356, www. bonefish grill.com
The musical Once Upon a Mattress, the opening show in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock theater arts and dance department’s 2011-12 season, draws upon a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Princess and the Pea.”
Mary Rodgers, wife of Richard, composed the music, with lyrics by Marshall Barer and a book by Barer, Dean Fuller and Jay Thompson. The show opens today in UALR’s University Theatre.
The king and queen insist on their prince son marrying an actual princess, and the test of royalty involves a tiny pea placed below a pile of bedding; a true princess will wake up, if she sleeps at all, covered in bruises.
“The show has had a long history starting in 1959, including off-Broadway [and] Broadway [productions], national tours, a Broadway revival in the 1990s, and three major television productions,” says department chairman Jay Raphael. “It has featured tons of stars, but is perhaps best known for giving Carol Burnett her Broadway debut as Princess Winifred.”
Rhythm L. McCarthy is the director and choreographer, with Michael Heavner as musical director.
This is the first musical the department has staged since it started blending dance into its theatrical menu, Raphael says, and there will be actual musicians playing in the newly reopened and refurbished orchestra pit.
Once Upon
a Mattress
8 p.m. today, 7 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, University Theatre, Center for the Performing Arts, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock
Tickets: $7, $5 for students
(501) 569-3456
Weekend, Pages 36 on 10/06/2011