Pippin: Take Two

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The cast and crew of the CSUN Theater Department production of the musical “Pippin” prepared for weeks to perform this spring, until the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of all scheduled performances. Now the hope is to hold performances in the Fall of 2020. On Point reports with CSUN Theater Department Professor and Director Garry Lennon, and “Pippin” cast members Cassandra Koukourikos, Rebecca Curci, Aiden Kastner, Angelo Maalat and Arden Argos.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused closures and postponements for countless performances and productions scheduled throughout the spring and the summer — from Broadway hits to school plays. Among those performances affected, the Cal State Northridge theatre production of Pippin, which came to an abrupt halt about a month before it was scheduled to open.

The CSUN Theater Department had slated its production of the 1972 musical-for a two week run beginning April 3rd. The Spring 2020 production was set to be held at the campus theater in Nordhoff Hall, and it featured a twist to the classic musical that would resonate specifically with CSUN students.

The play’s cast was devastated when they received the news that the production was being cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The cast received the news via the theater department’s Instagram page, @theatrecsun, even before director Garry Lennon was able to tell the cast himself. The cast had already put in 10 weeks of rehearsal at 20 hours a week. 

However, Pippin will be back.

Two weeks into the quarantine, Lennon emailed the cast informing them that the show will be the first show put on by the Department in the Fall 2020 semester. The plan is for rehearsals to resume in August. The graduating seniors in the cast have been invited back, so they will not miss out on their opportunity to take part in the show. 

Excitement had already been building among the cast members eager to put on a show. Ensemble member Angelo Masset spoke with On Point reporter Candice Romero about the amount of work that had gone into rehearsals, and what the cancellation meant to the cast.

Romero also spoke with Cassandra Koukourikos, who was set to play Pippin’s stepmother Fastrada.

Cast member Arden Agos explained what she expects from the fall production, and her excitement moving forward.

Pippin is a Broadway classic, with music and lyrics by composer Stephen Schwartz, and story by Roger Hirson and Bob Fosse. It’s about a prince, named Pippin, who goes to war to get approval from his father.  Later, however, Pippin kills his father, and becomes king. He falls in love, and then finds himself struggling with love, magic and regret.

On Point reporter Preston Mitchell spoke with director Lennon about CSUN’s contemporary adaptation of the musical.

Catherine, played by Rebecca Curci, is Pippin’s love interest, who helps him as he grows into adulthood. Pippin must decide whether he will settle down with his love, or continue to perform magic with a troupe of performers.

Aiden Kastner, who plays Pippin, talked to Mitchell about the lead role, and his thoughts on the modern revisioning of the character.

Director and cast members agreed that although Pippin is set in the Middle Ages, its message holds relevance to today’s audience, especially college students.

The new opening night is scheduled for September 18, 2020.

Moderators: Preston Mitchell and Candice Romero

Producer: Liliana Ramirez

Anchor: Liliana Ramirez

Video Editor: Lilibeth Morales

Reporters: Bea Barros, Manny Luisi, Preston Mitchell, Lilibeth Morales, Liliana Ramirez and Candice Romero

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