The Departments of Music and Theater and Dance will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Pippin,” Nov. 5-8 in Yulman Theater. Tickets are on sale now.
Written by Stephen Schwartz, creator of “Wicked,” the play follows a young prince’s search for meaning through battle, pleasure and power, only to learn that fulfillment may be found in life’s quieter moments.
“Pippin follows the ups and downs of a person looking for their place in the world,” said the director, Gabriel Thom Pasculli, lecturer of performance and directing. “It's a lot like the story of the ugly duckling -- about an oddball young pipsqueak looking for belonging. Created in the seventies, Pippin was the sexy, irreverent and provocative version of the young adult searching for their place in the world, born at a time when the United States was in its own particular growing phase. Generations later, with this group of students, the story still speaks to the danger and excitement of making a big transition in life.”
The musical director is Eugene Jin Byun, lecturer of music. This is the second collaboration between Pasculli and Byun, following the operatic third act of last spring’s “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play.”
Pasculli and Byun are co-directors of the new musical theater and vocal performance minor.
Students working on the show represent all class years and a diverse mix of majors and minors.
Victoria Lucontoni ’26, a theater major and dance minor, calls the musical “a beautiful story which captures the audience from the first note. We are breaking the bounds of what you think theater can be at Union.”
“What I have loved most about the rehearsal process is becoming a part of this wonderful community. From the first day of rehearsal, it was clear that this cast, crew and creative team are welcoming, determined, and extremely talented,” said Isabella Rossi ’29.
“The new minor, and the ability to produce fully supported mainstage musicals is something that students have been asking for at Union for many years,” said Brittney Belz, chair of Theater & Dance. “Although we have often produced plays that have songs, music or a bit of dancing, being able to intentionally work with our music faculty and students throughout the process is adding a whole new dimension and scale to the performing arts opportunities we can offer here at Union.”
Hettie Barnhill, the show’s choreographer, has experience with creating for film, dance and theater, as well as performing on Broadway.
“When approaching Pippin, I felt it was a very timely show,” said Barnhill, visiting instructor of dance. “My goal has been to balance out the juxtaposition of the harsh realities that Pippin deals with, alongside the fantasy that the players bring to the performance. Showing that through the dance is fun and challenging, and one of the reasons that I was very excited to be a part of this production.”
Evan Schieren ’28, a music major, said “it's easy to tell by the music that a lot of this show was created with dancing in mind. The choreography for the show feels so naturally driven by the score.”
Byun said musically, the show is full of energy and color, combining Broadway, pop and jazz styles with moments of lyrical beauty and emotional depth.
“From the bright opening number ‘Magic to Do’ to the moving finale, the music captures both the excitement and the heart of Pippin’s journey,” Byun said. “In the end, Pippin reminds us that true happiness often comes not from fame or achievement, but from simple, genuine connections and the joy found in everyday life.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5-8 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 9. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 with a Union ID, alumni and senior citizens. They are available for purchase through the Yulman Theater Box Office Monday through Friday, 1-2 p.m., or online at Eventbrite.
The runtime is a little over two hours, with a 10-minute intermission. The production includes adult themes, reference to suicide, sexual content and simulated fighting and death. For more information or accommodative seating arrangements, contact boxoffice@union.edu, or (518) 388-6545.