KC Rep's Pippin Will Get Magic from Claybourne Elder, Mary Testa and More

By Adam Hetrick
28 Jun 2012

Claybourne Elder
Claybourne Elder
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Claybourne Elder, Mary Testa, Nick Cordero and Katie Gilchrist will star in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of Pippin, which will launch the company's 2012-13 season.

KC Rep artistic director Eric Rosen will stage Pippin, which will run Sept. 14-Oct. 7. The pop-rock musical has a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. KC Rep's production promises "new visual and musical twists to a musical theatre classic."

Rosen characterized it as a "musically vigorous, genre-shifting explosion of high energy."

Elder, last seen on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde, will star in the title role, with Tony Award nominee Testa (Queen of the Mist, Xanadu) as Berthe, Cordero (The Toxic Avenger) as the Leading Player and Gilchrist (regional premiere of Everyday Rapture) as Catherine.

The cast is completed by John Hickok (Parade, Aida) as Charles, Sam Cordes as Lewis, Katie Kalahurka (A Christmas Story, the Musical!) as Fastrada, Jennie Greenberry (A Christmas Story, the Musical!) in the female ensemble and Gil Perez-Abraham Jr. (A Steady Rain) in the male ensemble.

Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark choreographer Chase Brock will choreograph Pippin. The creative team also includes musical director Curtis Moore (Bridge Project's Richard III), Jack Magaw (scenic design), Alison Heryer (costume design), Jason Lyons (lighting design) and Zachary Williamson (sound design).

For tickets visit KCRep.