The collaboration of artists to create the St. Thomas Summer Theatre Project show "Pippin" has brought actors together in Sun Valley from across the country, including returning Wood River Valley natives. Kevin Wade, who plays Pippin, and Peter Burke, who is a Player, studied at New York University and said they joined the cast of "Pippin" because of the opportunity to work with the summer theater project.
"It's a great space for young performers," Wade said. "'Pippin' has lots of social narratives and challenges the [idea of the] American Dream to strive and work hard."
"Pippin" is a about a young man who attempts to find his place in the world and through a variety of experiences learns how social pressures shape young people in their efforts to achieve their dreams.
The original Broadway production, adapted from the book by Roger O. Hirson, was directed by Bob Fosse and produced by Stuart Ostrow with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The cast of characters includes Pippin's immediate family members with the addition of a Band of Players who also play other characters throughout the production. The Players lead and converse with Pippin throughout the show.
"Bob Fosse is an enormous influence," said director Freddie Harris. "It's very sexual and very dark."
Conor Zaft, who is a Player, is a recent Wood River High School graduate who will attend Evergreen State College to major in experimental theater.
"The play is very applicable to my life," Zaft said. "I am about to go off to college and I don't know success. In our culture, success is financial. Pippin doesn't know the meaning of success and he is looking for success and is put up to challenges to find it."
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In addition, "Pippin" includes Louisa Waycott, a graduate of The Community School, who is also a Player. Waycott attends the University of Mississippi and is pursuing choral studies.
"The show does not answer the question about what is success, but it questions the patriarchal hegemony that exists throughout our culture," Wade said.
"Pippin" also features Izzy Taylor as Fastrada and a Player, Alex Kuntz as Catherine and a Player, Camille Bourret as Berthe and a Player, Cameron Rendahl as Lewis and a Player, Noah Koski as a Player, Karlie Jeneson as a Player, Steph Sloan as a Player, Curtis Hopfenbeck as a Player, Harry Dreyfuss as a Player, Mia Jefferson as a Player, Emmet Fortuin as a Player, Peter Burke as a Player, Gretchen Halle as a Player, Brett Moellenberg as a Player, Chloe Chysikopoulos as a Player and Sarah Adicoff as a Player.
Freddie Harris directs "Pippin", with musical direction by husband and wife Alyssa and Brad Hershey, choreography by Sherry Horton and Sara Gorby and stage manager and make-up design by Jessica Rice.
"Pippin" will open at The Community School Theatre in Sun Valley tonight and run until Sunday, June 20. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For details, call 726-5349.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
St. Thomas Summer Theatre Project will present “Pippin” at The Community School Theatre in Sun Valley, June 16-20. Courtesy photo by Heather Black
