Review: Theatre Frisco Brings PIPPIN to Life!

Pippin

Director/Choreographer: Linda Kay Leonard
Music Director: Kelley Poche Rodriguez

Reviewed by Sara Jones

“Join us,” Leading Player (Vee India) calls to the audience at lights up. “We’ve got magic to do!” And Theatre Frisco certainly brings the magic with their rendition of Pippin! India is quickly joined on stage by the ensemble, each decked out in flowing layers of cream-colored fabrics, macrame belts and vests – some wearing white masks, adding to the mystique. 

The year is 770 AD and King Charlemagne (Josh Hepola) is in the process of uniting Europe by force!  His starry-eyed first-born son, Pippin (Chase Shaw), is known as “the scholar of the house” – he’s a thinking man who sees his father’s brute force ways as acceptable only as long as they are necessary. But where does one draw the line? Meanwhile there’s a younger half-brother – Lewis, played by Dayton Wilson – and a scheming stepmother – Fastrada (Christina Kudlicki) – who have their eyes on the crown, despite Pippin being the rightful heir. 

Shaw’s Pippin is brimming with hope and innocence at the start – full of curiosity and wonder with an angelic voice. He appears slight and very simply dressed – the only character who remains barefoot throughout the performance. In stark contrast, Wilson’s Lewis is tall, muscular, with long flowing locks and usually a bare chest. His smile is infectious, his head seems rather empty, and as the audience is told, “most of all, Lewis loves Lewis.”  As they set off to war against the Visigoths, everyone else dons sparkly body armor and helmets, but Pippin puts on a hat made of newspaper.

We follow Pippin on his journey – narrated by the animated and often fourth-wall-breaking Leading Player – and find that life can be hard and confusing, even if you know you were born to do something special. As his grandmother, Berthe (Lucia Welch), tells him in the highly entertaining No Time at All, “It’s time to start living!” 

Pippin tries his best to do just that – he explores War, Success, Politics, Revolution – even Love – in his attempt to live life to the fullest, but each discovery brings more questions, more longing. 

Costumes by Bruce R. Coleman create beautiful images – adding and removing embellishments to signify a change of scene or mood. Director and choreographer Linda Kay Leonard clearly knows how to highlight her actors’ skills – whether it’s dancing, playing guitar, or tumbling, this production is a feast for the senses. 

In the Director’s Notes of the program, I feel Leonard summed things up well: “…love is not dead and we are bound and lifted up by each other when we allow ourselves that gift.” Give yourself that gift and allow yourself to be lifted up by Theatre Frisco’s Pippin - running through August 13th. Tickets are available at theatrefrisco.com

Support local theater!

Sara Jones

Audience Rating: PG

Run Time: 2hr 15 min (including one 15 min intermission)

Accessible Seating: Available 

Hearing Devices: Available

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not available

ASL Performance: Not available

Production Sound Level: Average volume

Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: None