Published: September 13, 2009 09:14 am      

REVIEW: Journey along with Clarksville Little Theater, ‘Pippin’

Want to relive the Seventies? Drop by Clarksville Little Theatre for a nostalgic trip into that simpler time with its message of peace, justice, and self-fulfillment set to rousing pop songs and a coming-of-age tale.

“Pippin” — he’s the eldest son of Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne in 780 A.D. or thereabouts — leads us through his obsessive quest to find meaning in his life. Chris Hancock earnestly and gamely plays this rather priggish character out to find his “Corner of the Sky.”

That haunting song in Stephen Schwartz’s score (he also wrote “Godspell” and the current blockbuster “Wicked”) was a hit for the Jackson 5. Michael Jackson also recorded “Morning Glow,” nicely done here by Hancock and the Clarksville ensemble.

Pippin’s journey through life includes experience of war, politics, religion, and sex — none of which provides purpose. Only when he is taken up by Catherine (Jayne Thomas), a wealthy young widow with a small son Theo (Patrick Koshewa), does resolution seem possible.

Thomas and Koshewa with his pet duck delightfully inhabit their parts. And Pippin and Catherine’s duet on “Love Song” is enchanting.

Ben Vereen on Broadway was “The Leading Player,” who as master of ceremonies introduces characters, guides Pippin through various episodes, and quirkily comments on happenings and fellow actors. Clarksville cast Kathy Todd Chaney in that role, looking very Liza Minnelli in a sexy black outfit and forcefully moving things forward with “Magic to Do.”

As always with this musical the showstopper is “No Time At All,” advice sung to Pippin by his randy old grandmother about living every moment before time slips away. It was sold to a fare-thee-well by Irene Ryan in the original show and Cindy Crenshaw Smith has the same exuberant success with it here, coaxing the audience to join in the chorus.

Dale Strange is convincingly regal as King Charles, while Janet Morris is a deliciously scheming stepmother to Pippin (her “Spread a Little Sunshine” solo is great fun). Andrew McGill is Pippin’s gleefully obnoxious half-brother Lewis.

Director Ron Johnson and choreographer Patricia MacDonald are faithful to the treatment conceived by original Broadway director Bob Fosse. Love those angular movements and the disembodied hands in white gloves that wave in the dark at curtain’s rise.

“Pippin” continues at Clarksville Little Theatre301 E. Montgomery Ave., in Clarksville, until Sept. 19. For showtime and ticket information, call CLT at (812) 283-6522.



Charles Whaley is a longtime reviewer in the Greater Louisville region. His commentary on stage productions have appeared in The Courier-Journal, Totaltheater.com, CurtainUp.com, San Francisco Bay Times, and The Sondheim Review.