Pippin
By Don Shirley
Tim Dang’s fascinating revival updates the style of this Stephen Schwartz/Roger O. Hirson musical about the prince (Ethan Le Phong) who finally discovers that life’s simpler values should take precedence over the extraordinary achievements that he has pursued so unsuccessfully. Before Pippin’s epiphany, the show bombards us with glamour and glitz. This time around, the visual design is distinctively flavored with anime and other Asian strokes. The choreography is hip-hop-influenced, with a few remnants of the original Fosse, and the musical arrangements add a dose of punk to the song “Extraordinary.” Le Phong’s performance is extraordinary in itself, especially considering that he replaced Daniel May only a week before opening night. Marcus Choi slithers through the role of the Leading Player like a hit man from a Taiwanese gangster movie, Jenn Aedo is the world’s most eye-catching stepmother, and Gedde Watanabe does an amusing turn in drag as Pippin’s grandmother.
David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo, (213) 625-7000.
Eastwestplayers.org. Weds.-Sats. at 8 p.m.; Suns. at 2 p.m. Closes June 22.
Published: 05/21/2008
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