Join us - Pippin

Photo by Michael Lamont

Pippin

David Henry Hwang Theater (120 North Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles 90012)

Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Roger O. Hirson. A production of East West Players.

Date of reviewed performance: June 15, 2008

Cast
Leading Player - Marcus Choi
Pippin - Ethan Le Phong

Charlemagne - Mike Hagiwara

Fastrada - Jenn Aedo

Catherine - Maegan McConnell

Berthe - Gedde Watanabe

Lewis - Cesar Cipriano

Theo - William Jay

Pippin, a popular, award-winning musical whose look and sound is generally entrenched firmly in the seventies, gets an eye-popping makeover with anime make-up and costuming, hip-hop influenced choreography and updated musical arrangements performed by a live band. And did I mention it apparently now takes place in Shogun Japan? I will admit, I was excited AND dubious upon hearing about this production - and although it could have very easily gone off the rails, this production does not dissapoint. Despite all the changes, the cast still finds plenty of magic to do as the fickle Pippin tries to find his reason for being.

This was my first experience with an East West Players production, but it certainly won't be my last. I was impressed with everything about this show. This production is a great new interpretation of the classic, and it's highly entertaining and engaging. The costumes are wonderful, particularly those of Fastrada and Charlemagne. Honestly, Jenn Aedo's breasts deserved their own credit in the program. The dancing was inspired, quirky and yet completely organic. The vocals by the cast were by and large superb. The band was phenomenal.

Ethan Le Phong makes a wonderful sometimes eager/sometimes melancholy anime Pippin. I found myself googling him as soon as I got home and wondering why I've never heard his name before. Marcus Choi also stands out as the mysterious and charismatic Leading Player. Other strong performances include the above-mentioned Jenn Aedo as Pippin's step-mother Fastrada and Gedde Watanabe (of "Sixteen Candles" fame) as Pippin's vivacious grandmother in a fun musical number that brings down the house.

There were a couple of minor technical problems, and one major one (in the show I attended, Catherine lost her wig during her one real romantic moment with Pippin, killing the mood - she eventually recovered but the moment was ruined), the production was well executed. I found out about this show right before its closing weekend...which sorrows me greatly as I was unable to get as many people there as I would have liked. But I will be visiting East West Players' website, so such a mistake does not repeat itself (and you should too!).

Pippin: