By Joan Marcus, courtesy Pippin
‘Pippin’
Among the most anticipated new musicals to open on Broadway this season was “Pippin,” a revival of the whimsical 1970s show that has riveted audiences with its combination of classical theatrical and contemporary circus elements.
Director Diane Paulus chose to augment the show’s original script with a modern circus theme, bringing in a troupe of talented acrobats, jugglers and other performers to complement the cast of singers and dancers. Together, the multitalented crew tells the story of Pippin, the son of Charlemagne, as he tries to find fulfillment as an adult.
Where the original story is thin, the acrobatic performances fill out the experience with remarkable feats of strength and agility. Some of the best moments of the show come when the worlds of musical performance and circus performance collide in unexpected ways. By the end of the show, the cast has broken almost every convention in theater, taking audience interaction and engagement to new levels. The ending comes as a total surprise and is unlike anything you’ve ever seen on Broadway.
“Pippin” was nominated for 10 Tony awards and won four. Those awards included best revival of a musical, best actress in a musical for Patina Miller and best director for Diane Paulus.
‘Motown the Musical’
Following in the tradition of jukebox musicals that have become popular on Broadway in recent years, “Motown the Musical” brought the soulful sounds of the 1960s to the stage in New York this spring. The show follows the journey of Berry Gordy, who transitioned from a featherweight boxing career to found Motown Records and introduce such legendary artists as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson to the American public.
The musical’s book was written by Gordy himself, and the show features 36 songs from the Motown era, including classics such as “War,” “What’s Going On?” “My Girl,” “Dancing in the Streets” and “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me.” The songs are woven through the story of Motown Records and the company’s role in helping to break down racial barriers in midcentury America.
