And actor Borris York, who portrays the role of “Player” and is a member of the “Manson Trio” in the Cirque Du Soleil-style show, is glad to be one of the people providing that razzle dazzle.
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
‘Pippin’ astounds Benedum audiences
And actor Borris York, who portrays the role of “Player” and is a member of the “Manson Trio” in the Cirque Du Soleil-style show, is glad to be one of the people providing that razzle dazzle.
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I have read a lot about various disagreements regarding a preference towards the original Pippin and this new revival of Pippin. A lot of this has to do with attachment to the version of Pippin you saw first, but also various other things such as the original Pippin "having less distraction" and "focusing more on the story". I, personally, am a fan of the revival, possibly because the first time I saw Pippin was the revival on Broadway, but also because circus seemed to fit. It never seemed like a 'spectacular' addition to an older play in order to give it interest to a young audience, but instead as the perfect next step to make this older play relatable to newer audiences. It is common to say that it takes a lot more to astound and mesmerize newer generation, than it did the older. In the original Pippin, incredible dancing was the necessary distraction crucial to the plot, but now in this day and age, the distraction has to be bigger. Having it be circus performers doing amazing flips and tricks is the perfect distraction and color for the plot of Pippin.
I happened to see the touring production of the Benedum when it visited, and I have to say I was thoroughly surprised, knowing little to nothing about the show in advance. What I did know was that the new Broadway production had taken on the cirque-du-soleil-esque theme. I was relatively worried, from the opening number especially, that the show would attempt to cover up poor writing and direction with spectacle. However, I can happily say that I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the show overall. Especially in the Benedum space, the show just worked. At the end of Act I, I had just assumed that the show had a weak plot, and the producers of the new production were just filling in weak plot with long circus act numbers. Then, the second Act came and I was kind of blown away. The plot strengthened up and all my concerns fell away. The comedy was swift and clever, and the leading player was so dynamic that I continued to be drawn in, especially with the quality of Sasha Allen's performance.
I have not been the biggest fan of "Pippin." I did a production in high school, and I was pretty sure that it was one of the worst shows ever written. Turns out (not surprisingly) Broadway productions tend to be a bit better than high school musicals. When I attended the show, I was blown away by the energy, production quality and sheer creativity of the production. I have a philosophy about theatre that says that there is no point in doing a production that has done before. What is the point of reviving a show if you aren't going to put a new spin on it. This new production of "Pippin" is astounding in that it shakes the boundaries of what is theatre, while paying homage to classics we remember with fond nostalgia. The circus gives new life to a possibly tired show, adding something to an already rich theatrical canon.
I saw Pippin on Broadway and at the Benedum and I really enjoy this show. I never saw the original version, but I cannot imagine Pippin without the circus performers in it because they play such a vital part. Act one is my favorite because of the upbeat songs and the exciting acrobatics. I personally liked Patina Miller more because I am a huge fan of hers, but I think Sasha Allen did a great job as The Leading Player as well. The story line is not the best I’ve seen, but the music and acrobatics and dance make up for that. There is a very good message about finding yourself and finding your purpose. It really makes you think about yourself at the end of the show. Pippin has to decide what is really important in his life and that he does not need to search for something amazing and extraordinary just to be happy.
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