Pippin coming to Hudson Theatre
DOMA Theatre Company is pleased to present PIPPIN, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, coming to the Hudson Theatre beginning October 15th, 2010.
This is not your 1970s tongue-in-cheek musical. The protagonist, Pippin, and his father, Charlemagne, derive their characters from two real-life individuals of the early Middle Ages, the musical will be surreal and disturbing. It's sinister & modern at the same time, and invites you to take part in a voyage that is the dark side of your mind and self-awareness.
About The Show
Once upon a time, young prince Pippin longed to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment. He sought it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power…
The Leading Player tells Pippin that perhaps he should fight tyranny, and uses Charles as a perfect example of an unenlightened tyrant to fight. Pippin plans a revolution, and Fastrada is delighted to hear that perhaps Charles and Pippin will both perish so that her beloved Lewis can become king. Fastrada arranges the murder of Charles, and Pippin falls victim to her plot. While Charles is praying at Arles, Pippin murders him, and becomes the new king. However, after petitions from the masses, Pippin realizes that neither he nor his father could change society and had to act as tyrants. He begs the Leading Player to bring his slain father back to life, and the Leading Player does. Pippin is left without direction until the Leading Player inspires him. After experimenting with art and religion, he travels and stumbles upon an estate owned by Catherine, a widow, with a small boy, Theo. It is immediately clear that the Leading Player is concerned with Catherine's actual attraction to Pippin- However, as time goes by, Pippin feels that he must leave the estate to continue searching for his purpose. Catherine is heartbroken, and reflects on him, much to the Leading Player's surprise & anger.
In the end, Pippin is surrounded by the Leading Player and the various troupe members, when they all suggest that Pippin complete the most perfect act ever: the Finale. They tell Pippin to jump into a box of fire, light himself up, and "become one with the flame." Pippin is reluctant, but agrees that perhaps suicide is the best way to go, but he is stopped by his natural misgivings. Pippin realizes that he has given up his extraordinary purpose for the simplest and most ordinary life of all, and he is finally a happy man. How ironic, that he found it in the simple pleasures of home and family.