Pippin assassinates his father, and the people bow to their new king, rejoicing that the tyranny has come to an end (" Morning Glow"). He dismissively tells Pippin to do what he must. At the royal chapel in Arles, Pippin confronts his father, who justifies his cruelty and tyranny as being necessary tools to achieve peace and prosperity for the realm. She manipulates Charlemagne into going to his annual prayer early, and she tells Pippin that he will be at the chapel unarmed ("Spread a Little Sunshine"). Fastrada learns of Pippin's plan, she takes advantage of it by devising a plan of her own- if Pippin either successfully kills Charlemagne, or fails and is arrested for treason, Lewis will be next in line for the throne either way. He agrees, and becomes the leader of a revolution against his father. The Leading Player enters and talks with the now exhausted Pippin, suggesting that fulfillment can be found in fighting against his father's tyrannical ways. He begins to enjoy many meaningless sexual encounters, but it soon becomes overwhelming and Pippin forces all the women away ("With You"), discovering that relationships without love leave you feeling "empty and vacant". Pippin takes this advice to heart and searches for more lighthearted pastimes. There, Berthe, his paternal grandmother, exiled by Fastrada, tells Pippin to stop worrying about his future, and rather to enjoy the pleasures and comforts of the present ("No Time at All"). He flees to the countryside as the Leading Player sings of the pleasures of a free and easy life ("Simple Joys"). A disillusioned Pippin has a cynical discussion with the severed head of an enemy soldier, recognizing the futility of battle. Charles declares victory, and leads his army off to the next battle, eager for more glory. The Players express the battle through song and dance, with the Leading Player and two lead dancers in the middle (performing Bob Fosse's famous "Manson Trio") whilst depictions of violence and dismemberment occur behind them ("Glory"). Charles reluctantly agrees and proceeds to explain the battle plan to his men ("War is a Science"), interrupted repeatedly by an over-enthusiastic Pippin. Charles and Lewis are planning on going into battle against the Visigoths soon, and Pippin begs his father to take him along as a soldier to prove himself. Pippin also meets with his ambitious stepmother Fastrada, and her dim-witted son Lewis. Charlemagne and Pippin don't get a chance to communicate often, as they are constantly interrupted by nobles, soldiers, and courtiers vying for Charlemagne's attention ("Welcome Home"). Pippin returns home to the castle and estate of his father. Addressing the Players as if they are the professors at his college graduation, Pippin sings of his wish for fulfillment, believing he must find his purpose in life ("Corner of the Sky"). They begin telling the story of Pippin, (who they say is being portrayed by a new actor making his stage debut), the first son of King Charlemagne. This musical begins with the Leading Player of a traveling performance troupe and the accompanying Players inviting the audience to witness their show, breaking the fourth wall (" Magic to Do"). Schwartz had said that not a single line or note from Carnegie Mellon's Pippin made it into the final version. Stephen Schwartz collaborated with Ron Strauss, but when Schwartz decided to develop the show further, Strauss left the project. Pippin was originally conceived as a student musical, Pippin, Pippin, performed by Carnegie Mellon University's Scotch'n'Soda theatre troupe. As of April 2019, the original run of Pippin is the 36th longest-running Broadway show.īen Vereen and Patina Miller won Tony Awards for their portrayals of the Leading Player in the original Broadway production and the 2013 revival, respectively, making them the first actors to win Tonys for Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress in a Musical, for the same role. The show was partially financed by Motown Records. The protagonist, Pippin, and his father, Charlemagne, are characters derived from two historical figures of the early Middle Ages, though the plot is fictional and presents no historical accuracy regarding either. The ' fourth wall' is broken numerous times during most traditional productions. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious performance troupe, led by the Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. Pippin is a 1972 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Fictitious life of Pippin the Hunchback, son of Charlemagne
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