Pippin, Starring Claybourne Elder, Mary Testa and Wallace Smith, Begins Kansas City Run Sept. 14

By Adam Hetrick
14 Sep 2012

Claybourne Elder
Claybourne Elder
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Claybourne Elder stars in the title role of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of Pippin, which begins previews Sept. 14 under the direction of Eric Rosen. Wallace Smith and Mary Testa also star. 

Pippin, which runs through Oct. 7, is characterized by KC rep artistic director Rosen as a "musically vigorous, genre-shifting explosion of high energy."

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."

The cast is led by Elder, last seen on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde, in the title role, with Tony Award nominee Mary Testa (Queen of the Mist, Xanadu) as Berthe, Smith (American Idiot, Godspell, Hair) as the Leading Player and Katie 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.