Hit Musical “Pippin” Presented by Drama Program

ALBANY (April 13, 2017) — The College of Saint Rose Drama Program presents “Pippin,” the long-running Tony Award-winning hit musical by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson.

“Pippin” will be performed Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 7, with a special preview Wednesday, May 3.  All performances take place in the Saint Rose Campus Theatre, 996A Madison Ave. (located behind 1000 Madison Ave.), Albany, New York.

Show times: May 3 and May 5 at 8 p.m.; May 6 and May 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Admission: May 3 preview – $12 general, $7 students; May 5-7 performances – $15 general, $10 students.

Seating is limited and there are no reservations.  Theatergoers should plan to arrive well before curtain time.  For information, e-mail ryana@strose.edu or phone 518-466-4951.

The musical uses the premise of a mysterious performance troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance.  Pippin seeks his purpose in life, as we all might ponder in our lifetimes.  He follows the crowd, yearning for his identity, and explores the options presented to him: war, promiscuity, work and eventually true love.  What he learns is that the power of the everyday existence, living moment to moment and cherishing each one, is the best way to feel fulfilled.  Lead by a troupe of passionate actors, the story of Pippin is told with excitement and leaves the audience with an appreciation for every breath they take.

The 2013 revival of the 1972 Broadway hit revolutionized the universal story and wowed audiences with fantastic circus tricks.  But the story of Pippin is not extraordinary; it is indeed, quite ordinary, as it relates to “everyman” on this planet.

Cast members for this production are:

Character                    Actor                                         Year                                  Hometown

• Leading Player            William Heatley                      Junior                               Troy, New York

• Pippin                          James Reilly                         Junior                                 Lynbrook, New York

• Charles                        Andrew Pariseau                 Senior                                 Burrillville, Rhode Island

• Lewis                           Daniel Figueroa                    Freshman                          Bronx, New York

• Fastrada                      Staci Barrett                          Senior                                Elmont, New York

• Berthe                         Aileen Burke                          Freshman                           Banger, Pennsylvania

• Catherine                    Melissa Narusky                    Senior                                 Rotterdam, New York

• Theo                            Olivia Ledtke*                       Grade 4 @ Abram Lansing Elementary          Cohoes, New York

• Ensemble                   Rhina Allende                         Junior                                   Bronx, New York

• Ensemble                   Maddie Hempstead                 Freshman                            Scotia, New York

• Ensemble                   Ashley Jones*                          Sophomore                         Hopewell Junction, New York

• Ensemble                   Caley Alyce Lacey                    Senior @ Hudson Valley Consortium           Rotterdam, New York

• Ensemble                           Jai Mohan                                Freshman           Syracuse, New York

(*Not pictured)

Directed and produced by Angela Ledtke, instructor of acting at The College of Saint Rose; musical direction by Christian Gunn, a 2016 Saint Rose graduate; choreography by Caley Alyce Lacey.

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