CofC Stages proudly presents
Pippin
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Nakeisha Daniel
| Music Director Laura Turner |
Choreographer Laurel van Beusecum |
||
| Scenic Designer Bristol Barnes |
Costume Designer Molly Belle |
Lighting Designer Chris Warzynski |
Sound Designer Caleb S. Garner |
| Technical Director JD Stallings |
Costume Shop Manager Ellen Swick |
Stage Manager Mollie Davis |
Dramaturg Randy Howell |
November 17-19, 2023
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street
Jump to: Musical Numbers | Production Team | Acknowledgments | Dramaturgical Note | Cast and Production Team Biographies
Cast
| Drake Carney | Pippin | Sam Rhodes | Ensemble (Pippin understudy) |
| Ngaa Magombedze | Leading Player | Brasia Jones | Ensemble (Leading Player understudy) |
| Ben Hudd | Charles | Spencer Vinzani | Ensemble (Charles understudy) |
| Lexi Willbrand | Theo | Abby Scruggs | Ensemble (Berthe understudy) |
| Bri Fabian | Berthe | Jaden Jenkins | Ensemble (Lewis understudy) |
| Noah Anderson| Lewis | Abby Frier | Ensemble (Catherine understudy) |
| Kate Yarbray | Catherine | Jenna Bush | Ensemble (Fastrada understudy) |
| Gianna Trimboli | Fastrada | Aidan Baumann, Whitney Green, Cam Gulledge, Ren Mummert | Ensemble |
| Act I: | Act II: |
| Magic to Do | On the Right Track |
| Corner of the Sky | Kind of Woman |
| War is a Science | Extraordinary |
| Glory | Prayer for a Duck |
| Simple Joys | Love Song |
| No Time at All | I Guess I’ll Miss the Man |
| With You | Finale |
| Spread a Little Sunshine | |
| Morning Glow |
CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Production Coordinators: Miles Boinest, Ellen Swick
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel
Assistant Directors: Mekhi Gaither, Sophie Weiss
Assistant Stage Managers: Madelyn Labarge, Rose Goblet
Dramaturg: Randy Howell
Associate Scenic Designer/Scenic Design Advisor: Jonathan Wentz
Projection Designer: Madison Berry
Scenic Charges: Bristol Barnes, Jonathan Wentz
Scenic Artists: Kelsey Beckett, Lillie Bostrom, Alexandria Foster, Madelein Hanson, Lindsay Ward
Carpenters: Brandon Alston, Arsalan Baig, Cheyenne Comitz, Jacob Rye, Aidan Wunderley, and students of Stagecraft class
Properties Designer: Kelsey Beckett
Properties Room Manager: Riley Taylor
Scene Shop Staff (students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bristol Barnes, Madison Berry, Isabella Gardner, Eli Salas
Costume Design Advisors: Janine McCabe, Ellen Swick
Costume Research Assistant: Mattison Gaillard
Make-up Designer and Artist: Eva Voros
Hair and Wig Artist: Molly Belle
Pattern Makers: Students of Patterning & Draping
Sewing & Alterations: Zoe Barber, Ava Woods, and the students of Intro to Costuming
Wardrobe Supervisor: Savannah Blake
Wardrobe Crew: Mattison Gaillard, Kaleigh Montgomery, Natalia Ramirez, LG Wylie
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Brandon Alston, Stef Amezcua Barrientos, Zoe Barber, Savannah Blake, Ashlyn Denham, Mattison Gaillard
Lighting Design Advisor: Lauren Duffie
Head Electricians: Bootsie Baldwin, Alex Jones
Apprentice Electrician: Olivia Maness
Light Board Programmer and Operator: Alex Jones
Follow Spot Operators: Adam Barham, Mira Zimmerman
Electric Shop Staff (students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bootsie Baldwin, Alex Jones, Chris Warzynski
Sound Engineer: Dustin Brause
A2: Evie Palmisano
Sound Board Operator: Shannon Korel
Audio Support: Students of Intro to Live Sound
Run Crew: Emma Bennett, Hannah Moore
Fly Rail: Sam Miere
Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: David Mandel, Madison Berry
Publicity: Madison Berry, Bristol Barnes, Kaylee Phillips
Office Assistant: Ngaa Magombedze
Box Office: George Street Box Office
Originally produced on the Broadway stage by Stuart Ostrow.
Originally directed on the Broadway staged by Bob Fosse. 2013 Broadway revival directed by Diane Paulus.
Theo Ending Originally Conceived in 1998 by Mitch Sebastian.
Pippin is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David and Alice Rubenstein.
Additional support is provided by the Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation, The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein, and the National Committee for the Performing Arts.
This production is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).
The aims of this national theater education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theater production. To this end, each production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels.
Productions entered on the Participating level are eligible for invitation to the KCACTF regional festival and may also be considered for national awards recognizing outstanding achievement in production, design, direction and performance.
By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KCACTF goals to recognize, reward, and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university theaters across the nation.
PURE Theatre, Richard Heffner, Sottile Theatre staff, CofC Fire Marshal’s office, Ashli Arnold and the Flat Rock Playhouse, SOTA Council, Carolyna Ramirez and the George Street Box Office staff
Thank you to all of our donors!
Become an Impact Sponsor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers opportunities to become an Impact Sponsor. Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.
Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!
GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Sam & Nancy Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
Anonymous (5)
Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift
Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!
Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Jenny Hane & Julian Wiles
Anthony Laneve
Chester & Arlene Williams
ADVOCATE $750-999
Tap & Jean Johnson
Janine McCabe
Matt & Gretchen McLaine
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Justin & Laurel van Beusecum
Jonathan & Janine Wentz
STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master
DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice and Jay Messeroff
Stellar Stitches Fashion Show
Laura Turner
FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander, Stacey Alston, Rebecca Boone, Glenda Byars, Todd McNerney, Elena & Ted Mitchell, Sam Rhodes, Emma Simmons, Jillian & Michael Smallwood
PATRON up to $99
Caroline Baker, Mary Beth Berry, Shelby North, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens, Andrew Whitehead
Pippin first premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theater on October 23, 1972, making the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance production fall shortly after its 51st anniversary. The show has toured the United States four times with the most recent tour happening in 2014, and it was revived on Broadway once back in 2013. Shortly after opening in the United States there was a West End production that ran for 85 performances during the 1970’s.
Although the musical is completely fictitious some characters hold historical relevance. The character Pippin is a part of history, only he was known as Pepin, and was the oldest son of Charlemagne (Charles the Great). Pepin was a family name and Charlemagne’s father was known as Pepin the Short. Our Pepin was Charlemagne’s first child and was born with a birth defect causing him to have a humped back (a feature that is left out of the musical). Another of Charlemagne’s sons was Louis the Pious, who became emperor after Charlemagne’s death. Charlemagne’s third wife was named Fastrada, with whom he had a daughter named Theodrada (who can be viewed as Catherine’s son Theo in the musical).
The musical itself plays with history in a witty way by telling a story that is completely original while referencing historical figures. The variations in names and known characteristics signal that these individuals are not those found in history books but a reimagining from the minds of Roger O. Hirson, Stephan Schwartz, and Bob Fosse and come together to create a coming-of-age story that is as much unorthodox as it is comical. Through Pippin one can learn that life is not a one-stop journey, but a path filled with obstacles and pitstops.
—Randy Howell
Dramaturg
Roger O. Hirson (Book) Writer. Father of David Hirson. Awards and nominations: 1973 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical Pippin [nominee] 1967 Tony Award® Best Musical Walking Happy [nominee] Productions: PIPPIN Book [Original, Musical, Comedy] (Oct 23, 1972 – Jun 12, 1977). WALKING HAPPY Book [Original, Musical] (Nov 26, 1966 – Apr 22, 1967)
Stephen Schwartz (Music and Lyrics) wrote the music and lyrics for the current Broadway hit WICKED, and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING (which he also adapted and directed), RAGS, and CHILDREN OF EDEN. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s MASS and wrote the title song for the play and movie BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, CAPTAIN LOUIE and MY SON PINOCCHIO. He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s ENCHANTED as well as the animated features POCAHONTAS and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, and writing the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. His first opera, SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. A book about his career, “Defying Gravity,” has been released by Applause Books. Mr. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and a tiny handful of tennis trophies.
Guest Artists
Molly Belle (Costume Designer) is thrilled to return as a guest artist this season after graduating from the College last spring. She has been serving as resident designer for the Footlight Players at Queen Street Playhouse this season including recent designs for The Wild Party and POTUS. Other recent work includes co-designing Two Gentlemen of Verona for CofC Stages last Spring and serving as Assistant Costume Designer for Charleston Stage’s A Christmas Carol. Molly is also developing her own fashion brand, Molly Belle Design, which she will expand into online retail spaces in the near future. She’s grateful to be part of this production and so thankful for all of the love and support from her family and friends.
Bri Fabian (Berthe) is a graduate of the College of Charleston Class of 2023. She has previously been seen in the College’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona as Antonio, as well as the staged reading of The Late Wedding as Han and Innkeeper. She is absolutely thrilled to be included in telling this story and would like to thank Nakeisha, Laura, and Laurel for the opportunity to be a part of this production, along with the entire cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience! She would also like to thank her family for their patience, support, and encouragement in this and every endeavor.
Mekhi Gaither-Burris (Assistant Director) is a Graduate Student in his first semester of the MAT Program (Masters of Arts in Teaching in Performing Arts) here at The College. He is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the directing team, and he’s loved getting to work with this amazing cast and crew. He has previously been seen in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Violet, Pipeline, Everybody and The Arts under the Oaks Festival. He knows you’re going to love this production!
Noah Anderson (Lewis) [he/him] is a senior double majoring in Theatre (Performance) and History. He has also been seen in Cabaret as Cliff Bradshaw, Two Gentlemen of Verona as Sir Eglamour, Grunt in Firebringer, and the Messengers in The Bacchae. He would like to thank everyone who made this show possible especially the Director Nakeisha Daniel and Assistant Director (and degree holder) Mekhi Gather for always dealing with his tomfoolery, allowing him to try new wacky things throughout the rehearsal process and letting him get up to shenanigans on stage.
Bristol Barnes (Scenic Designer) [she/they] is a senior majoring in Theatre (Performance and Scenic Design) with a minor in Film Studies. She has been a multi-talented theatrical and film artist over her years here. This is her second mainstage scenic design, having also designed Two Gentlemen of Verona last semester. She has also done lots of work with Center Stage having been the sound designer on The Bacchae and scenic designer on Firebringer. Outside of the theatre, she has helped produce many student short films over her time here. She recently directed Crash [Cymbal], a short film which premiered at the CofC Student Film Festival in April. She will be serving as assistant director for The Importance of Being Earnest, the last show in this year’s season. Check out her website, www.bristolbarnes.com, for more info about what she’s been up to!
Aidan Baumann (Ensemble) is a senior at the College of Charleston double majoring in Dance and Hospitality & Tourism Management with a minor in Business Administration. She has most recently been featured in After the Rain, the fall dance concert. This is her sixth mainstage show and only her second musical as she was last seen as “Frenchie” in Cabaret. She would like to thank Nakeisha Daniel and Laurel van Beusecum for constantly pushing her to be the best performer she could possibly be.
Kelsey Beckett (Properties Designer) is a junior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Scenic Design and a minor in Arts Management. This is her mainstage debut as properties designer for Pippin, and she will be the Assistant Scenic Designer for the spring opera Die Fledermaus. She is excited to share her creativity and talent with you tonight. She would like to thank her mentor, Jonathan Wentz, and director, Nakeisha Daniel, for their support and guidance throughout this process.
Madison Berry (Projection Designer) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic Design. Recent design work for the mainstage includes Men on Boats (Scenic Designer), Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Assistant Scenic Designer) and Violet (Properties Designer). She has been awarded the 2023 Randy Lutz Allied Design & Tech National Finalist for her properties design (Violet) by The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Her work has also been seen in the community in Daniel and the Kings (Assistant Properties Designer) and Spoleto’s Stelle di Domani 2023 production of There’s Always Tomorrow (Director). Keep an eye out for her next scenic design in the upcoming mainstage production of The Importance of Being Earnest this April!
Jenna Bush (Ensemble/Fastrada understudy) is a sophomore at the College and is majoring in Biology with a minor in Theatre. She was last seen as Kitty in CofC’s staged reading, In Love and Warcraft, as well as Zazzalil in Center Stage’s production of Firebringer. Jenna is very excited to be part of this dazzling production and would like to thank the entire cast and creative team behind this production. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Drake Carney (Pippin) is a sophomore majoring in Theatre (Performance), double minoring in Japanese and French & Francophone Studies. This is his mainstage debut! He was a member of Broadway Ensemble in the fall 2022 semester. He would like to thank his family for the endless support, Nakeisha, Laura, and Laurel for this extraordinary opportunity, and lastly his voice teacher Megan. In addition, he’ll be seen in next semester’s mainstage production of Die Fledermaus.
Mollie Davis (Stage Manager) is a senior at the College majoring in Psychology and Theatre. Her work as a stage manager has been seen previously in the mainstage productions of Everybody, Violet, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. She would first like to thank the cast for being so great to work with! She would also like to thank her mother for being supportive of her every endeavor. Mollie is extremely grateful to Susan Kattwinkel for being an amazing mentor and support system throughout her time at CofC.
Abby Frier (Ensemble/Catherine understudy) is a sophomore at the College majoring in Sociology and minoring in Spanish. This is her first show at the college and is ever so grateful for the opportunity to perform with her fellow new found castmates and friends. She wants to give thanks to Nakeisha Daniel, Laurel van Beusecum, and Laura Turner for allowing her to perform. She would also like to give a shoutout to Laura for the genuine serendipity of finding her in the restroom and asking her to come audition for this magical show.
Whitney Green (Ensemble) is a senior at the College majoring in Arts Management and minoring in Dance, Psychology, and Marketing. She has most recently been seen in After the Rain. She would like to thank Nakeisha Daniel, Laurel van Beusecum, and Laura Turner for this opportunity!
Cameron Gulledge (Ensemble) is a senior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a performance concentration. She has been seen in productions like Director’s Showcase as Agnes from Agnes of God and in last season’s staged reading The Late Wedding as Caysen and Patron 2. This is her first musical at the college and she is incredibly grateful to her director Nakeisha Daniel for giving her the opportunity. She would also like to thank Laura Turner for her musical direction and the amazing orchestra!
Randolph James Howell Jr. (Dramaturg) [they/them] is a sophomore majoring in Theatre. They were last seen as Oshoosi Size in the department’s production of Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet.
Ben Hudd (Charles) is a junior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Performance. He was last seen in the mainstage production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley as Arthur de Bourgh, and in CofC Opera’s Tales of Hoffmann as Schlémil. He is very grateful for the chance to be a part of this show and would like to thank the cast and crew for a fantastic experience.
Jaden Jenkins (Ensemble/Lewis understudy) is a Theatre major with a concentration in Theatre for Youth. He’s been seen in many productions including Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet (Ogun Size), Violet (Flick), Cabaret (Victor/Emcee understudy). You can catch him at the Footlight Players’ production of Urinetown in April as Hot Blades Harry.
Brasia Jones (Ensemble/Leading Player understudy) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Performance. She has previously been in Cabaret as Fraulein Kost and in Violet as Landlady/Ensemble. She is so elated to be apart of this production and is very grateful for all the opportunities given. Specifically she would like to thank Laura Turner, Nakeisha Daniel and Laurel van Beusecum for all the great guidance and constant support throughout the whole process.
Ngaa Magombedze (Leading Player) is a sophomore at the College double majoring in Theatre and International Studies. This is her debut mainstage performance. Under the mentorship of Peter Spearman, she previously served as assistant director for The Late Wedding. She would like to thank Nakeisha Daniel, Laurel van Beusecum, and Laura Turner for trusting her with the honor of telling this story. She would also like to thank the incredibly charismatic cast, crew, designers, and you—the audience—for allowing us the chance to truly create magic on stage!
Ren Mummert (Ensemble) [they/them] is a junior Theatre Performance major at the College of Charleston. Ren was recently seen on stage in The Late Wedding and as Janet in the Rocky Horror Picture Show last year! Ren is a circus trained artist who plans on pursuing a career in aerial arts after they graduate. They would like to thank everyone involved in the production for helping us make the magic happen. They also want to thank their family for always supporting them and we can’t forget Percy of course.
Sam Rhodes (Ensemble/Pippin understudy) is a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre. He has previously been looked at in other mainstage productions including Violet as Billy Deane/Virgil/Radio Trio, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley as understudy (and tree), and will appear in the spring’s production of The Importance of being Earnest as Cecily Cardew. He is very appreciative of the opportunity Nakeisha Daniel and Laura Turner has given him. He would also like to deeply thank the fight coordinator, Evan Parry, for tolerating him and hearing his jokes through this process.
Abby Scruggs (Ensemble/Berthe understudy) is a junior majoring in Political Science and Theatre with a concentration in Performance and minor in Music. She was last seen in the Main Stage production of Violet (Old Lady) and Center Stage’s Firebringer (Jemilla). She would like to thank her family for their continued support, and Buren Martin for giving her a love of Theatre!
Gianna Trimboli (Fastrada) is a senior at the College and is majoring in Theatre and Dance. She has been seen previously in Cabaret as Fritze, Living Dead in Denmark as Titania, as well as many dance concerts done here at the College of Charleston. She would like to thank the professors working on this production for giving her this opportunity and would also like to thank her voice teacher Diana for helping her specifically with this show!
Spencer Vinzani (Ensemble/Charles understudy) is a senior studying Theatre. He is thrilled to celebrate his final curtain call with the department in Pippin. Recent credits include Preacher in Violet and Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret. He would like to thank the CofC Theatre and Dance department for this opportunity to use his stage combat skills and his voice.
Eva Voros (Make-up Designer) is a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with minors in Italian and Religious Studies. Prior to studying at CofC, Eva received her Makeup Artistry Certificate from Industry Makeup Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Eva would like to extend extra gratitude towards Molly Belle for her brilliant costume design, Janine McCabe, and to Susan Kattwinkel for encouraging her to apply for the position of makeup artist for Pippin.
Chris Warzynski (Lighting Designer) is a junior Theatre Major at the College with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic/Lighting Design as well as a minor in Japanese Studies. Chris was last seen at the College in CofC Stages’ staged reading of In Love and Warcraft (Ryan) and in Center Stage’s Firebringer (Molag). During the summer, they traveled abroad in Japan and created a new interpretation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with the Yokohama Theatre Group. Back home, their play A Conversation was read during the Piccolo Spoleto’s Under The Lights event. Chris is currently working on a new play. Chris would like to thank their grandparents for not evicting them.
Lexi Willbrand (Theo) is a senior at the College of Charleston who is double majoring in Arts Management and Marketing who is graduating in May. This is her first and only show at the College of Charleston after performing in several high school and community shows. She is so grateful for this opportunity and wants to thank all her friends and family for their support!
Kate Yarbray (Catherine) [she/her] is a junior at the College majoring in Theatre with a double concentration in performance and lighting design. She was last seen in Center Stage’s production of Firebringer as Chorn and the Main Stage’s production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley as Lydia. She gives special thanks to her family for never missing a show and to her roommate for encouraging her like no other. Above all else, she’d like to thank this brilliant cast for always being there to catch her when she fell.
Land Acknowledgement: We would like to acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians).
We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations.
We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina.
On this campus and in this space, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.