Pippin

Magnormos fill a niche market in Melbourne, presenting professional productions of lesser-known musical theatre works, generally in smaller venues. However, their Stephen Schwartz Celebration Triptych was performed in the Melbourne Recital Centre, a venue more suited to concerts than musicals. So the set for Pippin comprised just two wooden boxes on wheels with the orchestra behind, though projections on the back wall were effective.

Starting with his popular Godspell, the second offering was the lesser-known Pippin, finishing with the rarity Children of Eden. I attended Pippin and was disappointed I would be unable to attend the third of the trilogy.

As with other Magnormos shows, the cast was young, vibrant, and thoroughly professional. Everyone could dance and the choreography was energetic, tight and constantly evolving. There were no weak links here and we had a high energy show.

I remembered Luigi Lucente from The Last Five Years and he was every bit as good in the title role. He maintained that somewhat lost look so appropriate in the other work and important in this. His light voice was very suitable, and “Corner of the Sky” was the highlight it should have been.

I was unfamiliar with the other music, but loved “No Time at All”, sung by Jackie Rees as the grandmother. Very funny and so well done. Elise Brennan as the girl-friend, Catherine, also had a lovely song, “I guess I’ll miss the Man”, sung after Pippin left her, which is one of the funniest “He’s left me” songs I’ve heard, about what a terrible partner he was, but better than nothing.

Rohan Browne was the “Leading Player”, the narrator/in Pippin’s ear character, and very strong. He had a great song and dance routine with Luigi.

The show finished with Jack Lyall, as the boy Theo, reprising “Corner of the Sky” in his beautiful boy soprano, indicating that Pippin’s dream was still alive.

I hope you can get to Children of Eden.

Graham Ford.

Read more about the Magnormos Stephen Schwartz Celebration, and Stephen Schwartz: In Conversation on Sunday 22 September

Photographer: Angelo Leggas