‘Pippin’ Is About To Open Musicals

At Richter’s 17th Season

DANBURY — Musicals at Richter, Fairfield County’s longest-running outdoor summer theater, will open its 17th season with Pippin, Stephen Schwartz’ fanciful coming-of-age musical, playing June 14 through June 30 at the Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road. Performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:30 pm, with a discounted preview performance scheduled for Thursday, June 14.

The winner of five Tony Awards including Best Direction and Choreography honors for the legendary Bob Fosse, Pippin uses a small troupe of actors, singers and dancers to tell the tale of Pippin, the first-born son of the great medieval monarch Charlemagne, and his longing to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment.

Pippin’s often humorous escapades take him from the glory of the battlefield and the intrigues of political power to the temptations of the flesh and the practical comfort of home and hearth. The popular Stephen Schwartz score includes many standards of contemporary musical theater such as “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic to Do,” “Spread a Little Sunshine,” “Time to Start Living,” “Simple Joys,” “Kind of Woman,” “Love Song” and “I Guess I’ll Miss the Man.”

The ensemble features many accomplished area performers including John Congdon (Southport) as Pippin; Bret Poulter (Waterbury) as the Leading Player and narrator of the proceedings; Brian Maher (Stamford) as King Charlemagne; Sarah Lee Michaels (Wilton) as Fastrada, Pippin’s scheming stepmother; and Eddie Gonzalez (Stamford) as Lewis, Pippin’s half-brother.

Christina Balsama (Bethel) is Berthe, Pippin’s philosophical grandmother; Priscilla Squiers (Danbury) portrays his love interest, Catherine; and Brett Pond (New Fairfield) plays her son, Theo. The show is being directed by George Vollano (Newtown), with musical direction by Sabrina Post (Newtown) and choreography by Jennifer Turey (New York City and Newtown).

The 2001 Musicals at Richter season will continue with Grease (July 5-21), the high voltage 1950s musical, and Oliver! (July 26 to August 11), Lionel Bart’s tuneful take on the Dickens classic.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for children or students; group and subscription rates are available. Admission for the preview performances is $6.

Grounds open at 7:15 pm for picnicking, with curtain time at 8:30 p.m. Chair rentals are available with advance reservation. For reservations and further information, call the Box Office at 748-6873 or visit the Richter Web site at www.musicalsatrichter.org.