Page 27 - YB1996

Pippin: A Lesson on Life For its fall production, the WMC Theatre Department presented the musical Pippin. The show featured a cast composed of widely varied WMC talent. The book was written by Roger O. Hirson, and the show was originally produced on Broadway by Stuart Ostrow. Pippin is the story of a rather extraordinary young man finding meaning and happiness in an ordinary life, Pippin is King Charlemagne's son and heir to the throne. Upon the opening of the show, Pippin has just returned from being away at school, only to find his father quite apathetic 10 his accomplishments. Therefore, he decides that he must find a way for his life to be meaningful and, at the same time, gain the acknowledgment and respect of his father. For his first adventure, Pippin goes off to fight a war in a foreign land by his father's side. However, he soon learns that he is not meant to be a soldier, and always falls short of his jealous stepbrother's fighting abilities. He then sets out to make his life meaningful in other ways. He attempts to lead a peasant revolt, and even assassinates his own father, who returns, from the dead after Pippin fails and admits that his is not capable of being a ruler. Later Pippin visits his grandmother, Berthe, who he hopes will, due to her experience, be able to explain the meaning of life to him. Finally, Pippin retreats to the country where he is taken in by the widow Catherine and her son. He lives and works on her farm until he becomes dissatisfied with that as welL However, by the end of the show, Pippin returns to the widow, with whom he falls in love. He sacrifices all of his belongings and inheritance to be with her because he realizes that she is the meaning that he was searching for all his life. Top: Pippin's grandmother Bertha, played by Joanna Above: Charlemagne. played by Ed Milliner. has a talk Lajewski. shares her wisdom with the young prince with his SOil and heir. Pippin. The King'sjealousstepson hoping that he will seize the day. Photo bylra Domser Lewis. played by Jim Gross. is an unwelcome eavesdrop- per. Photo courtesy of WMC Public Information. Campus Li_fe 23