Local production of Pippin is ‘pure theatre magic’
Curtain Call Performaing Arts Company presents the classic, timeless musical as part of its Passion Project series at Gasworks until Aug. 21.
Magical. Unpredictable. Extraordinary. Illusion. Discovery. Authentic.
The members of Curtain Call Performing Arts Company have different words by which to describe their upcoming production of Pippin, opening Friday and running until Aug. 21. The musical features emerging and experienced young local performers collaborating to bring audiences music, storytelling, magic, and wonder.
“Pippin is the perfect mix of creativity, magic, spectacle, humour, and heart. It’s a show that everyone can find a piece of themselves in,” director & Curtain Call co-founder Danielle Viola says. “At its core, it reminds us to slow down, take each moment as it comes, and recognize that there’s magic in our everyday lives. I think we could all use a little more of that.”
The Curtain Call director and cast have a number of favourite musical numbers they are eager to share, including “Spread A Little Sunshine,” “Morning Glow,” “Glory,” and “Simple Joys.” Their venue is Gasworks in downtown Hamilton.
The theatre website StageAgent describes Pippin as a tale “told by a traveling troupe of actors led by the cunning and charming Leading Player,” a troupe that sometimes breaks the fourth wall. “[It] is the story of a young prince, heir to the throne, who is searching for his own ‘corner of the sky.’ Pippin returns from university, certain that he will find a fulfilling purpose in life … only to discover that true happiness is more complicated than he thought.” Leading Player and the rest of the troupe take Pippin the prince on a journey of self discovery, exploring glory, power, love, and adventure, with the ultimate goal of living an “extraordinary life.”
Pippin opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theater in October 1972. Its music and lyrics were by Stephen Schwartz and its book by Roger O. Hirson with contributions by Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production. A year later, the show opened in the West End at Her Majesty's Theatre. The original Broadway production won five Tonys, including Ben Vereen for his role as the Leading Player. For the 2013 revival, Pippin won four Tonys including Patina Miller for the same role, making Vereen and Miller the first actors to win Tonys for best leading actor and actress in a musical for the same role.
It’s clear that Viola is at the helm of an exceptional cast of extremely bright, committed, and articulate young performers in this production, several of whom generously shared their thoughts.
In her third year performing with CCPAC, Santina Francesca plays Fastrada in Pippin. She explains that there is so much meaning built behind the scenes and before the curtain goes up that viewers don’t get to witness.
“The show that audiences see is the final product of hours of collaborative work between the cast and crew, rehearsals that challenge you … and the synergy of the cast, which is a byproduct of like-minded individuals all working toward the same goal,” Francesca says. “It’s getting to know your characters on a deeper level to accurately tell their story, all while learning new things about yourself as a performer. I am so fulfilled being part of a production because of the community I experience this journey with and the personal growth as a performer.”
She emphasizes how important the relationship is between the performers. “As a cast of 10, there’s a strong sense of trust between everyone onstage. We’re constantly working together, feeding off each other’s energy, and supporting one another both on and off stage,” Francesca says. “It’s been such a collaborative and supportive process, and I think that connection is something audiences will be able to feel, too.”
This is something that Leelu Thomson, who plays Catherine/Player, has noticed already. “This is my first year participating in a Curtain Call PAC production, and I was immediately enthralled by the community this company has created. Everyone is so kind and dedicated to being a part of this show,” Thomson says. “There’s a real sense that everyone is rooting for each other’s success and performing with the intention of bringing one another up. The support everyone gives each other creates such a wonderful environment and ultimately leads to great performances.”
It’s the third year and fifth Curtain Call show for Claire Cappellani, who plays the title role of Pippin. Cappellani echoes their castmates in saying that it’s the “shared experience of theatre” that makes it special. “When a group of people comes together to create one cohesive piece … the community and connection that comes along with that joy and creativity is my favourite part.”
What’s most challenging? “Stamina. Our version of the show is immersive and very ensemble based, so [the] performers don’t spend too much time offstage,” Cappellani explains. “That being said, the ensemble also happens to be the most joyful part of this show. The connection, support, and vibes of this cast are unmatched, and it feels great knowing that we’re able to lean on each other the way we do.”
In her second year with Curtain Call, Ria Davda plays Berthe, Pippin’s grandmother, whom she describes as “whimsical, [with] a heart of gold, and downright kooky.” Davda also performed in last year’s Passion Project production Newsies. She amplifies these same powerful themes of synergy, collaboration, and trust woven between the cast members.
“The most challenging part of being in this show is how involved the whole cast is in almost every moment, and therefore how reliant we all are on each other. There are so many little details that must happen perfectly for moments to be clear to an audience and these moments build off each other, so if one person misses it, it becomes difficult to keep the momentum of that moment going,” Davda describes. “However, I would also say that this is also the most joyful aspect of the show. It has forced us all to hold ourselves accountable for the sake of each other and be really diligent. When we find our flow and are really in the pocket, the energy between us is so powerful and incredibly fun to be a part of.”
Emma Bergin has been involved with CCPAC since 2023, when she joined its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Bergin plays Leading Player (“the Ring Leader/Mastermind behind all of the magic”) and, for her, collaboration is the key to happiness on stage. “There is something so special about coming together with people who have the same joy, passion, and desire to create together. The community you build from being a part of a production like this is the best thing in the world,” she says.
One thing that Bergin hopes audience members will recognize about this production involves “the dynamics between the characters on stage, and how things change as the players move through the different roles they play during the show. There is so much built into the script when it comes to the plot of the story, but very little when it comes to who the players actually are. We were given the freedom to explore those characters and how we interacted with everyone on (and off) the ‘stage.’ I hope they pick up on the little nuances we've all sprinkled in.”
Thomson adds: “I think audiences should come into Pippin with an eye for detail. Watching this show is almost like solving a mystery. If you look closely enough, little details begin to reveal the truth.”
Another thing the cast is eager for Hamilton audiences to notice is the unique and locally crafted creative vision possessed by this run of Pippin. “I really want the audience to appreciate how fresh, intentional, and specific our director's vision for the show is,” Davda explains. “When people think of Pippin, they are often thinking of Bob Fosse's Pippin or the 2013 revival, Circus Pippin. It is so easy for a director to try and replicate a popular version of a show, but Dani and the whole creative team have found the perfect balance of staying true to the material while creating an entirely new world that is enchanting, mysterious, and purple.”
“No two productions of Pippin are the same, and CCPAC's production is definitely one of a kind,” says Bergin.
Director Viola confirms that, “it’s rare to get this much creative freedom with a musical, and I’ve loved having a cast and crew who trusted the vision from day one. There have definitely been moments of ‘How are we going to make this work?’ but watching all those crazy ideas, moving pieces, and creative choices finally come together is pure theatre magic.”
As for what’s in store for next year’s Passion Project, Viola says, “for our 10th anniversary season, we’re bringing back Next to Normal, a show we [presented] in our very first season. It’s going to be really special to revisit it and see just how much CCPAC, and our artists, have grown.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, for Viola, much of what keeps her motivated year over year is watching the performers grow. “Seeing someone discover their love for theatre, build confidence, make connections, and develop skills that stay with them long after they leave our programs, that’s the real magic,” she says.
“We’ve worked really hard to create our own interpretation of Pippin, and I hope audiences come into it with an open mind,” director Viola says. “Yes, there’s a lot of spectacle, but I want people to look for the little details and nuances hiding underneath it. Pippin is magical, funny, heartfelt, strange, and wonderfully timeless.
“More than anything, I hope audiences leave remembering that sometimes the most extraordinary moments are actually the simplest ones.”
NEED TO KNOW
Aug. 14, 15, 19, 20 & 21 at 7 p.m. & Aug. 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Gasworks
141 Park St. N., Hamilton
Tickets: Adult $40, Senior $35, Student $28
Box office
Run time: Approx. 2 hours, 15 minutes including intermission
