Broadway's Original Pippin, John Rubinstein, Assumes the Throne a Day Early | Playbill

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News Broadway's Original Pippin, John Rubinstein, Assumes the Throne a Day Early John Rubinstein, who originated the title role in the 1972 Broadway production of Pippin, joins the cast of the Tony Award-winning revival of the Stephen Schwartz-Roger O. Hirson musical June 19 for a limited engagement.

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John Rubinstein in Pippin. Photo by Martha Swope

Rubinstein won the 1973 Theatre World Award for creating the role of Pippin in Bob Fosse's original Broadway production of the musical. Originally announced to begin performances June 20, Rubinstein will play his first performances as Charles June 19, Playbill.com has learned. 

He takes on the role of Charles during Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann's leave of absence from the production through July 27. Mann originated the role of Charles in the Tony Award-winning revival that opened to acclaim April 25, 2013, at the Music Box Theatre.

Rubinstein recently spoke with Playbill.com about returning to the musical.

Rubinstein is a Tony Award winner for Children of a Lesser God. His Broadway credits include Ragtime, Hurlyburly, M. Butterfly and Getting Away With Murder.

Pippin is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (7 Fingers). The current cast also includes Kyle Dean Massey and Ciara Renée in the roles of Pippin and Leading Player, respectively, with Tony Award nominee Charlotte d'Amboise as Fastrada, Rachel Bay Jones as Catherine, Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominee Annie Potts as Berthe and Erik Altemus as Lewis.

Other members of the company include Colin Cunliffe, Fernando Dudka, Andrew Fitch, Orion Griffiths, Viktoria Grimmy, Sabrina Harper, Kelsey Jamieson, Preston Jamieson, Olga Karmansky, Richard Maguire, Luke Kolbe Mannikus, Gabrielle McClinton, Bethany Moore, Brad Musgrove, Billy Harrigan Tighe, Molly Tynes, Anthony Wayne and Ashton Woerz.

Pippin is the recipient of 2013 Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Miller), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Andrea Martin) and Best Direction of a Musical (Paulus).

With a book by Hirson and music and lyrics by Schwartz, Pippin features music supervision and arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo, orchestrations by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman, scenic design by Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by Tony Award nominee Dominique Lemieux, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Award nominees Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm.

Pippin, according to press notes, "tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory?"

A U.S. national tour will launch in September at the Buell Theatre in Denver, CO. Productions are also planned for London, Australia and Amsterdam in 2015.

Visit PippinTheMusical.com

 
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