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Saturday, October 10, 2009
UWF's Department of Theatre's "Pippin" to Debut Oct. 15
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UWF's Department of Theatre's "Pippin" to Debut Oct. 15 by Susie Forrester, University Marketing Communications Though set in the Middle Ages and first staged in the 1970s, "'Pippin' is especially pertinent to our own time as it is a story of coming of age and finding the meaning of life during challenging times," said Leah Arington, UWF Department of Theatre's new assistant professor of musical theatre. Arington serves as musical director and choreographer for the UWF Department of Theatre's production of the Tony-Award winning musical by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson Oct. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m. at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre, Building 82. "'Pippin' is one of those shows that teaches me more and more about the show and about myself through the rehearsal process," said director, Geoffrey Scott Bleeker. "It's made up of multiple layers, all of which work together and at odds with each other to make one of the most interesting evenings at the theatre around. The simplest is the story of Pippin himself, a young man looking to find a place where he fits in and that fulfills his need to be special. Just as interesting is the story of the players, showing what happens when you lose all idealism, when you can only enjoy life ironically and can only feed off the energy of others. And then, of course, there's the pure entertainment of watching a group of incredibly talented students sing and dance and act their hearts out." Arington said she believes the musical, her first show to be a part of at UWF, can be thought-provoking for theatergoers as well. "I hope the audience leaves thinking about their own journey," she said. "I hope the players in this production strike a heart string in every audience member as the examples of Pippin's journey make each of us think about our own quest for happiness and the meaning of life."
In the musical, the journey of Pippin, the son of Charlemagne, takes the audience on a journey through all kinds of life experiences. These experiences include his exploration of his sexuality and the ensemble uses a variety of unique choreography and staging to emphasize these themes, according to Arington. The show's 16-member cast has spent the last five weeks in rehearsals. The entire design team is made up of Department of Theatre students, with Corey Stano designing sets, Tara Whalen designing costumes and Katherine Pursell designing lights. The marketing images were designed and created by UWF art student Catherine Miller. Tickets for "Pippin" cost $16 per person for adults, $12 per person for senior citizens, active military $10 per person for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the CFPA Box Office at (850) 857-6285 or visit www.uwf.edu/cfpa . Archiveto:clan/162/topstory
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