Pippin

On April 11, 12 and 13, Nease High School Theatre will present the musical Pippin. Pippin tells the story of a the first-born son of King Charlemagne as he goes on a quest to find his purpose in life. Along the way, he has many adventures into war, politics, and romance. Even as self-doubts plague him along the way, Pippin ultimately finds happiness in the most surprising place of all. Pippin features a score by Stephen Shwartz, composer of such musicals as Wicked, Godspell, and The Prince of Egypt. Pippin promises a night of humor, song, dance, and some other surprises.

For our production of Pippin, we have two casts: The Sun Cast, which will perform on Thursday night and the Saturday matinee, and the Moon Cast which will perform on Friday night and Saturday night. Though all the kids are in both casts, they rotate who plays the leads. The Sun Cast features: Jacob Santana (Pippin), Ellie Mirgeaux (Dark Leading Player), Parker Black (Light Leading Player), Abigail Moring (Catherine), Robbyn Dykeman (Charlemagne), Nina Howley (Fastrada), Tristan Mirgeaux (Lewis), Juliana Weldon (Berthe), and Slava Melnyk (Visigoth Soldier).

The Moon Cast includes Andrew Hajdini (Pippin), Mia Kasper (Dark Leading Player), Lily Downie (Light Leading Player), Maya Kalush (Catherine), Jackson Fry (Charlemagne), Gabby Catlin (Fastrada), Kedren Ellis (Lewis), Hannah Smith (Berthe), and Charlie Evans (Visigoth Soldier). Throughout the run, the child role of Theo will rotate through three performers: Joseph Weldon (Thursday, Saturday matinee), Mariana Garrett (Saturday evening), and Owen Gillespie (Friday evening).

The balance of the multi-talented cast includes Sarah Roney, Tiffany Snow, Ella Bennett, Brianna Bailie, Marisa McNally, Mackenzie Cole, Mia Garrett, Kallie Smith, Brooklynn Gorga, and Lyla Gillespie. Pippin is directed by Mr. Mark Robinson, with choreography by Lily Downie and Robinson. Ren Dunn is stage manager and Robin Hickey is assistant director. Ellie Mirgeaux is the show’s vocal captain and Gabby Catlin is dance captain. Also joining the performances are members of the Nease Color Guard. The crew includes Ethan Murphy, Sophia Burger, Tu Chi Bui, Sam Morgan, Kadyn Sakamoto, Joy Triplett, Kaylee Raisor, Dorian Huggins, Marisa Gursky, and Kaylie Burnett.