UAC's 'Pippin' searches for perfection

The script says that "Pippin" is set in 780 A.D. in the Holy Roman Empire, but the musical's story, written by Stephen Schwartz in the '70s, is meant to be timeless.

The musical, presented by UAC's MUSKET, maintains its immortality of the title character's struggle to discover what he wants to do with life.

Gavin Creel, director and Music senior, said, "I looked at each thing and pulled away from the specific of the year and put focus on what the fight's about."

Courtesy of UAC/MUSKET Pippin (Dan Reichard) and the Leading Player (Eric Blair) challenge life in "Pippin."

Creel did this with the goal of showing the energy of the play versus the time in which it is set. In fact, different segments or costumes of the show may resemble different time periods out of history.

To many campus audience members "Pippin" is an exaggerated representation of a college student struggling to find the best direction of life that will bring him fulfillment. "His character will identify with many students and where they are at in life today," Creel said.

As Pippin struggles with life, the ensemble tries to help him with its many suggestions.

"The entire ensemble is dressed in basically nothing, as underwear is the lowest point before being naked," Creel said. "They put on a costume piece as the show goes on - disguises becoming the things that Pippin may want to be."

"The entire concept with the show." Creel said, "is that as he addresses new ideas he puts on new costume pieces."

The cast talks directly to the audience, getting them involved and making the show and the characters' decisions more personal. "Pippin"'s audience participation includes a rousing sing-along.

PREVIEW
	Pippin Power Center Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Three-fourths of the play is music, which keeps it fast-paced. A 16-piece orchestra plays, conducted by Music senior Sam Davis. Davis is in the process of writing his own musical that will premiere in April titled, "Mina and Colossus." The lighting and staging of the show are a surprise, Creel said. "There is more there than you will think."

The show is being presented by a student group whose members say they are striving for professionalism in their theatre. "I had done the show before and decided I wanted to do it on a bigger scale," said Scott Wilcox, producer and LSA senior. "We have been working on it since last April."

"The cast is ready and forging ahead," said Creel. More than half of the actors are non-performance majors.

The ending to "Pippin" is different than the traditional ending, reinforcing the theme that it is all right to make different choices. "You don't need to change what you think to fit in," Creel said. "What counts is what you think that matters and if it's different, that's OK."

Tickets are $7, and are available at the Michigan League Ticket Office (313) 764-0450 or one hour before curtain at the Power Center. The show contains adult themes.

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