Celebrated Musical ‘Pippin’ Comes to Towngate Stage

WHEELING -- "Pippin," -- a festively staged musical exploration of life's endless search for human fulfillment -- opens the 2024-25 main season at Oglebay Institute's Towngate Theatre in Wheeling.

This celebrated and much-loved musical is staged for two weekends -- Sept. 20, 21 and 22 and Sept. 27-28.

"'Pippin' explores the transition from adolescence to adulthood, highlighting the challenges we face along the way. It reflects the expectations we place on ourselves and how the reality of life often clashes with the idealized version we create in our minds, rarely aligning as perfectly as we'd hope," explained Maura Danielle Reiff-Parissi, who is directing Towngate's production.

Created by some of the most innovative creators of musical theater in any era (music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson), "Pippin" was destined for success. The original show, directed by Bob Fosse, opened on Broadway on Oct. 23, 1972, and ran for 1,944 performances.

"Pippin" tells the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power. In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the ordinary moments that happen every day.

While the show is more than 50 years old, Reiff-Parissi said, the themes remain relevant today and speak directly to modern audiences.

"The themes of 'Pippin' are still deeply relevant today, as we navigate a world where moral grounding and awareness of our surroundings seem increasingly absent. We're constantly bombarded by social media influencers pushing products that often disappoint, and family dinners can feel like a battleground, with everyone waiting for the first political debate to erupt. There's this overwhelming pressure to become the next Kardashian, as if anything less means failure. But why not break free from that? Why not embrace your own unique journey through life and just be yourself?"

This show marks Reiff-Parissi's directorial debut at Towngate, but she is no stranger to directing or to Towngate. She has directed shows throughout the Ohio Valley and even in Finland. Recently, she performed at Towngate's annual cabaret, taught Saturday morning theater courses, and previously played Rowena in "Biloxi Blues."

Her affinity for community theater has been lifelong. "I grew up immersed in community theater at the Apollo Civic Theater in Martinsburg, West Virginia, so it's always felt like home to me. It's exciting to see more female directors making their mark and bringing fresh perspectives to the stage."

Her directorial approach for "Pippin" was to explore the character from a psychological standpoint. "As adults, we often reflect on our own journeys, guided by our inner conscience through the twists and turns of life," she said. "Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a Jiminy Cricket to offer moral clarity. More often, we find ourselves influenced by a Leading Player, pulling us in different directions, sometimes steering us away from our true path."

She said working on "Pippin" has been "both exciting and humbling, especially given the scale of the show."

Reiff-Parissi and musical director Bethany Fernbaugh bring Towngate's production to life through an experienced cast of community theater actors.

Cast members include Jacob Boyette, David Callihan, Isaac Cardot, Ethan Casey, Juan Dunlap, Nate Foster, Hannah Gonot, Dee Gregg, Bert Hawthorne, Odessa Hores, Chelsey Keding, Jay Keener-Welsch, Lynea Logan, Keyuri Morgan, Issac Perry, Reagan Pockl, Halli Driscoll, Jana Schodzinksi, Austin Schwanker and Kara Zanes. Stage manager is Alexandria Glennon.

"The biggest highlight of this production has been working with such an incredible cast. These powerhouses range in age from 16 and up, and I'm especially excited to showcase both new and returning faces on the Towngate stage. You may even see some surprises, and you'll get a glimpse of just how talented the people of the Ohio Valley truly are."

She added, "Working alongside Bethany Fernbaugh (music director) is one of my favorite things to do so I am glad to have her by my side during this process. Brittany 'Bert' Hawthorne, who is our dance captain, has helped develop some really cool things."

Curtain for Towngate's production of "Pippin" is at 8 p.m. Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. This production is presented with support from Towngate's main season sponsor Unified Bank and additional support from David and Linda Dunlap; Strasser Realty, Bob Strasser, Broker and Roger and Margaret Warren.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700. Season tickets are available. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, if available. Box office opens one hour prior to curtain.