'Pippin' comes to Shady Side Academy stage

Shady Side Academy drama students are bringing live theater back.

Last year’s spring musical was presented in late May in a virtual format via video because of the pandemic.

Senior School students will perform their winter musical, “Pippin,” Feb. 11-13.

First-time Shady Side musical director Dek Ingraham said the cast and crew of more than 80 students are excited to return to live theater.

“This production is hyper-localized to the Shady Side Academy theater and its community,” Ingraham said. “We’ve stripped the show back to its essential elements and built it back up using our theater as a template.”

Ingraham said he selected “Pippin” because its a perfect show for the current covid times.

“Covid has forced us all to pause and consider what is truly valuable in our lives. The journey that Pippin takes through the show is the same journey that many of us have taken over the past two years,” Ingraham said.

With an emphasis on heightening the tension of fantasy vs. reality, Ingraham said, the audience can expect creative elements such as shadow play, illusions and to experience a post-modern hyper-reality fantasy.

“Pippin isn’t your everyday musical, and this isn’t your everyday production of it,” Ingraham said.

Pippin is a young prince returning from university in pursuit of passion, adventure, fulfillment and the secret to true happiness.

Pippin, trying to find his purpose in life, is influenced by Leading Player, a character similar to the devil.

He seeks it on the battlefield, in the temptations of the flesh and among the intrigues of political power.

Performances will take place in the Richard E. Rauh Theater of the Hillman Center for Performing Arts located at 423 Fox Chapel Rd.

Lead roles include sophomore Jack Engel of Fox Chapel as Pippin. Seniors Braden Crow of North Huntingdon, Gloria Mancilla-Balog of Penn Hills and Sydney Demchak of Squirrel Hill share the role of Leading Player. Senior Noah Delisma of Hampton plays Charles/Charlemagne; junior Karina Saba of Squirrel Hill plays Fastrada; senior Aasia Gabbour of Montgomery, Ohio is Catherine; sophomore Kayla Zhu of O’Hara plays Berthe; junior Ben Rohr of Fox Chapel is Lewis; senior Marnie McCormick of Fox Chapel plays Theo and sophomore Aaron Little of Indiana Township is The Head.

Ingraham’s student-led production team includes junior Elizabeth Kamin of Fox Chapel as dance captain, senior Riley Doyle of Seven Fields as assistant choreographer, senior Ava Kronman of Fox Chapel as assistant director, senior Gigi Horgan of Kittanning as stage manager and junior Ayli Davidson of South Side Flats as assistant stage manager.

The show is suitable for ages 12 and up.

Shady Side Academy produced “Pippin” in 1992, winning three Gene Kelly Awards, including Best Musical.

Notable songs include “Morning Glow,” “Magic to Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” and “Glory.”

“Pippin” debuted on Broadway in 1972.

Advance purchase of tickets is recommended because social distancing and masks are required.

“Pippin” will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 11-12 and 2 p.m., Feb. 13.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and may be purchased online at shadysideacademy.org/theater