'PIPPIN' at Bowie Playhouse

'PIPPIN' will play at the BOWIE PLAYHOUSE from Friday, Nov. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 3. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Closing show on Dec. 3 is at 3 p.m.

PIPPIN is a different kind of musical...where a troupe of performers presents to the audience the story of a young prince, PIPPIN, who longs to discover the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. Sound familiar? The prince seeks everywhere - in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power. But does he find what he is looking for? And what do the performers - especially the Leading Player - have to do with it?

PIPPIN is a hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic musical comedy that captivated Broadway audiences in the early 1970s and now, presented under the direction of Larry Friedman, is captivating today's generation and continues to appeal to the young and young-at-heart. The story is also a metaphor of everyone's search for meaning in life and the decisions that need to be made when one doesn't think they will ever find it.

Note: PG-13

2nd Star Productions pulls out all the stops to present this exciting song and dance musical event. A stellar cast, Fosse-style choreography, musical direction and an orchestra extraordinairre. 

The Actors: Nick Lehan and Vincent Musgrave - who play PIPPIN and the LEADING PLAYER, respectively - are working actors who bring their depth of experience and rich voices to this exceptional community theater production.

Lehan conveys Pippin's personality and emotions masterfully, from exhilaration to despair, naivete to decisiveness. Lehan's performance is best described by Mary Johnson in her Baltimore Sun article:

"Lehan's Pippin connects to the whole ensemble from Leading Player to father Charles (Charlemagne), stepmother Fastrada and half-brother Lewis, and later to would-be soul mate Catherine and her son, Theo. From the lead-off "Corner of the Sky" theme to a heartfelt "Love Song" near the show's end, Lehan creates many of "Pippin's" major musical highlights."

Johnson also deftly describes Musgrave's performance:

"Vince Musgrave, who redefines the role originated on Broadway by Ben Vereen. As the Leading Player, Musgrave displays a seemingly effortless fluidity that conveys his knowledge of man's darker side and his casual acceptance of Pippin's. Adding to Musgrave's charm as the Leading Player is his sly backward kick — a stylish salute to Fosse's spirit."

Hannah Thornhill, a frequent performer with 2nd Star and other local productions and a superb dancer, creates a wonderfully sensuous, devious character as Fastrada, Pippin's step-mother. 

Wendell Holland, another veteran of 2nd Star, brings his powerful baritone and solid performance to the role of Pippin's father, Charlemagne.

Carl Williams creates a memorable Lewis, Pippin's half-brother, who will keep you laughing throughout the show.

TiaJuana Rountree captures the audience and dominates the stage with her rich performance of Pippin's grandmother, Berthe.

Rebekka Meyer, who plays Pippin's love interest, the widow Catherine, brings a gentleness and humanity to the show with a performance that makes Pippin's ultimate decision feel inevitable.

The role of Theo, Catherine's son, is played alternately by Matt Beagan and Jacob Hastings. Both boys elicit motherly sighs and sympathy from the audience, making the show's conclusion all the more distressing.

The rest of the cast - the Players - bind the story with a richness of character and flavor that make the performance all the more enticing.

PIPPIN is everything you need for a fabulous evening of entertainment - in nearby BOWIE.