Micky Dolenz Reigns As Charlemagne In Pippin
December 7, 2006
Photo: Cast of Pippin. Photo by Diane Sobolewski.
Musical Marks First Collaborative Effort Between Kimmel Center, Inc. and the Shubert Organization, Inc.
Joshua Park Cast As ‘Pippin’
Andre Ward Plays Role Of ‘Leading Player’
Tickets On Sale Now For Holidays!
Join us for the exhilarating new production of Pippin by Stephen Schwartz, composer of WICKED and three-time Oscar winner. Mischievous, magical, humorous and captivating—Tony® Award-winning Pippin is the lively coming of age story of Charlemagne’s oldest son. A surprise waits around every corner as Pippin wanders through the worlds of politics, love and war before finding his true calling. A fantastic tale, Pippin is packed with dazzling and imaginative songs such as "Magic to Do," "Corner of the Sky" and the audience sing-along "No Time at All."
Part of the Kimmel Center Presents Cadillac Broadway at the Academy theatre series, Pippin will open at the Forrest Theatre for a limited engagement January 11 - 15. The Philadelphia premiere of the national touring production marks the first collaborative venture between Kimmel Center, Inc. and The Shubert Organization, Inc. who recently joined together to present theatrical productions in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music and the Forrest Theatre. The official press opening is Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7:30pm
Tickets ranging from $43.75 to $76.25 are on sale now and available online at www.telecharge.com, by calling 800-447-7400, or at the Forrest Theatre box office, 1114 Walnut Street. A limited number of premium seats are available for $101.25. Groups of 20 or more call 215-800-432-7780. Performances include: Thursday Jan. 11 at 2pm & 7:30pm; Friday, Jan. 12 at 8pm; Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1pm & 6:30pm; and Monday, Jan. 15 at 7:30pm.
Pippin is produced by Goodspeed Musicals, winner of two Tony® awards for outstanding regional theatre and home of the American musical at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1972 and ran for five years, was a collaboration of Broadway giants, boasting the talents of young composer Schwartz, the explosive energy of actor Ben Vereen, and the vision of legendary director/choreographer Bob Fosse. The production garnered five Tony® Awards, (for lighting design, scenic design, best actor, choreography, and directing), and won rave reviews. Newsweek deemed it "first-class entertainment," and the New York Post called it "brilliant" and "triumphant."
This vivid re-imagining of Pippin retains the wit, style, and charm of the original production, while infusing it with a contemporary approach. Once again there is "magic to do," this time with fascinating new sets and costumes, plus the added attraction of "cirque-like" acrobatics.
Micky Dolenz, part of the musical phenomenon The Monkees, will perform the role of Charlemagne with Joshua Park (Broadway’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and off-Broadway’s Streets of New York) in the title role of Pippin and Andre Ward (Broadway's Saturday Night Fever) as the Leading Player.
While best known for his role as Micky in the television show The Monkees (1966-1968), Micky Dolenz has continued to work in show business as an actor, writer, and director. In 2002, he expanded his reach to Broadway when he took over the role of the villain, Zoser, in the Tim Rice and Elton John musical, Aida. Other theatre credits include the national tours of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Grease. Additionally, he wrote and directed Bugsy Malone for the London stage.
Dolenz began his career as a child star at the age of six, with the series "Circus Boy." With his portrayal of a struggling band member in the hit television show The Monkees, Dolenz and his counterparts Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, achieved international acclaim. During the late 1960s, the band recorded several number one albums and during the 1970s and 1980s the group gathered for various reunions, playing sold-out shows around the country and overseas.
The Players for Pippin include: Jason Blaine will play Theo, while James Royce Edwards of Broadway’s Hairspray and Mamma Mia! and off-Broadway’s Altar Boyz will portray Lewis. The part of Fastrada will be undertaken by Shannon Lewis who appeared in Broadway’s Contact, Fosse and Candide. Barbara Marineau will play the role of Berthe. Marineau has also appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Shenandoah. Teal Wicks, who appeared off-Broadway in Fahrenheit 451, will play the part of Catherine.
The rest of the Players for Pippin are Sara Antkowiak-Maier, Stephen Brotebeck, Jason Dougherty, Dell Howlett (Broadway’s Aida), Karl Maier, Lauren Marshall, Mayumi Miguel, Shane Rhoades (Broadway’s The Boy From Oz), Vincent Rodriguez III (first national tour of 42nd Street), Molly Tynes, and Dana Winkle (national tours of 42nd Street and Chicago). Swings for this production are Ashley Arcement and Brandon Tyler Fields.
Based on the story of Pippin, Son of Charlemagne, Pippin has a book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Early in Schwartz’s career, he became one of the few composer-lyricists ever to have three successful Broadway shows running simultaneously (Godspell, Pippin and The Magic Show). Through the years, he continued to work his magic in the theatre with popular scores such as The Baker's Wife, Children of Eden, Working, and Rags.
Goodspeed’s Pippin will be directed by Gabriel Barre. Barre’s credits include off-Broadway’s The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa, which was nominated for 13 Drama Desk Awards (including Best Director) and A Fine & Private Place. Pippin will be choreographed by Mark Dendy (the upcoming Broadway production of The Pirate Queen).
Sets will be designed by Beowulf Boritt (Broadway’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), costumes will be designed by Liz Prince and lighting will be designed by Kevin Adams, who received an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence for his work off-Broadway. He has worked on shows such as Broadway’s Hedda Gabler and off-Broadway’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Producing music director for Pippin is Michael O’Flaherty, who is in his 15th season as Goodspeed’s Resident Music Director. Music direction will be by Mark Hartman (Broadway’s Miss Saigon 1776), while Michael Croiter and David Chiappetta will provide orchestrations. Pippin, which began at the Goodspeed Opera House on July 14, 2006, is produced by Michael P. Price.
In addition to Pippin, the 2006-2007 Cadillac Broadway at the Academy theater and subscription season also includes: RAIN - The Beatles Experience (Jan. 4 - 7, Jan. 11 - 14); Edward Scissorhands (Jan. 15 - 21); Annie (March 1 - 4); Monty Python’s SPAMALOT (March 20 - April 8, 2007); Riverdance (May 15 - 20, 2007); and WICKED (July 25 - August 19, 2007).
All performances of 2006-2007 Kimmel Center Presents Cadillac Broadway at the Academy are generously supported by Cadillac, the Philadelphia Coca Cola Bottling Company, WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Cadillac Broadway at the Academy.
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