Stage Page – Magical and Mysterious Musical PIPPIN Arrives at the Westchester Playhouse

Featured in the Kentwood Players cast of PIPPIN are (from left) Megan Duquette, Shawn Elliott Plunkett, Lyndsay Palmer, Kyle Ray, Samantha Barrios (kneeling), Sam Gianfala, Joanna Churgin, and Jon Sparks. Photo credit: Gloria Plunkett

 

Kentwood Players proudly presents the musical PIPPIN with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger O. Hirson, opening this Friday, May 17 at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045. Performances continue through June 22 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm, directed and choreographed by Alison Boole, with music direction by Catherine Rahm and produced by Jeremy and Lyndsay Palmer for Kentwood Players under special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Featured in the cast in alphabetical order are Samantha Barrios, Courtney Chu, Joanna Churgin, Megan Duquette, Martin Feldman, Sam Gianfala, Samuel Goldman, Lynn Gutstadt, Victoria Miller, Glory Bamubile Mukanya, Lyndsay Palmer, Shawn Elliott Plunkett, Fiona Okida, Roy Okida, Dorian Perez, Kyle Ray, Katie Rose, and Jon Sparks

PIPPIN debuted on Broadway 1972 with Bob Fosse directing to critical acclaim. Centering on the story of a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure in his life, this beautiful and thought-provoking musical uses the premise of a magical and mysterious performance troupe, led by a Leading Player, to guide the audience through Pippin’s adventures. Ben Vereen and Patina Miller won Tony Awards for their portrayals of the Leading Player in the original Broadway production and the 2013 revival, respectively, making them the first two actors of different sexes to win a Tony for the same role. Samantha Barrios portrays the Leading Player in the Kentwood Players production, with Kyle Ray as Pippin.

Reserved seat tickets are $27 with a $2 discount for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, please email the box office at boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org or call (310) 645-5156 during box office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00-7:00 pm. All calls will be returned in the order received. You may also purchase tickets online at www.kentwoodplayers.org.  For group ticket sales of 10 or more, please call the box office for group rates.

For more information about Kentwood Players, including all scheduled productions and auditions (Auditions for Noel Coward’s BLITHE SPIRIT are being held this Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19), please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To meet the PIPPIN production team and learn more about Kentwood Players and what goes on at the Westchester Playhouse, the public is invited to attend their FREE membership meetings at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045 (two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester). Their next meetings are on Wednesday, May 22 and Wednesday, June 19 beginning at 7:30 pm.