chicago.broadwayworld.com: Meshing Bollywood’s bursting colors and rich style with Artistic Director Kevin Bellie’s inventive choreography, Stephen Schwartz’s classic Pippin explodes on the Circle scene in a brand-new light. PIPPIN has Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Book by Roger O. Hirson.
7 comments:
Doing a unique version of Pippin seems to be all the rage these days. There is another one opening at the A.R.T. in Cambridge this December. Of course, that style will be much darker than this bursting Bollywood one, but the same origina piece nonetheless. It's inspiring to think that there can be so many takes on one piece. They all have their own personal touches, there is always a reason for doing them in that place at that time. I think that as a playwright it must be one's goal to make a piece which is transcendant - one that may be tweaked to stand the test of time. That way your message is getting across both now and hopefully later as well.
This is hilarious, and probably going to be so entertaining. In my own ignorance, when I hear the term Bollywood I think of bright bright clothing, lots of music and impromptu group numbers. But really, whats wrong with that? I agree with Kassondra that a goal of your work is to make it transcendent. But for this piece, I think Bollywood might be just the kick in the pants that it needs. I don't know if Circle will succeed, but that is also one of the major goals of theatre right? To try something new and risk falling on your face, or it could be the best idea ever.
This sounds absolutely hysterical. I have never been a fan of bollywood musicals for the drama, but more just the humor of the style. I also have worked on Pippin, and I remember it being an amazing show, with some very funny moments. I really want to see this, it sounds so interesting!
This could either be great, or an epic failure. I've always loved the style of Indian Bollywood but I never thought of incorporating it into an american musical. I know that they remade pride and prejudice into a Bollywood movie "Bride and Prejudice" and that did decently, but I'm curious to see how something as well know as Pippin will translate into the Bollywood style. My main concern is the music. Bollywood music has a very distinct style, and I can' honestly say that I have no clue how the songs from Pippin are going to be made Bollywood. Overall this should be a very interesting show to go see.
I have to agree with Sonia. I think a big pat of theatre is trying something out to see if it works and see what reactions you can elicit from the audience. Bollywood sounds like a lot of fun and certainly something to be entertaining. I'm not familiar with the Bollywood style but I'm glad to be learning something new every day. Perhaps viewing this show would give me a better idea. I'm also not too familiar with Pippin but reading that this production will take place in India makes me excited to think about all the different ways the design team can tie in some fantastical stylings with traditional Indian flavor.
This is going to be really great. Pippin has always been one of my favorite shows. People may think its dated and weird, but I disagree. It is a wonderful piece of musical theatre history that is still relevant today. I hope this new artistic endeavor combining the flare and dazzle of Bollywood works. I remember seeing Bombay Dreams in London the production blew me away. It makes a lot of sense to combine the overly presentational style of musical theater with Bollywood songs and dance. The two fit - it just seemed right. It was like nothing I've ever seen before and nothing American (it opened on Broadwa too) audiences have seen since. Until now. This will be really cool. I'm excited.
How strange. But go for it. Pippin has always been a grand and mystical musical open to a vast array of interpretations, due to its inherent Brechtian nature. Although applying a filter or "concept" to any show is hit-or-miss by definition, I'd be interested to see this production as well as the production at ART. I guess both companies have a little bit of "magic to do" (the pun is always intended). I would love to hear Stephen Schwartz' take on both productions -- whether it's before they open or after, if he attends either. I've always wondered how playwrights feel about new interpretations of their work.
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