I enjoyed last night's performance of "Pippin" (1972) at the Hamilton Murray Theater on the Princeton University campus. It is the opening show of this season's Princeton Summer Theater. I still consider it the defining musical of my generation, though I'm less sure these days what that actually means. The 1998 Theo ending was new to me.
A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages (2009)
Kristin Chenoweth with Joni Rodgers
In her memoir A Little Bit Wicked,Kristin Chenoweth comes across as sweet, honest, and pretty decent, probably not too far off from her delightful stage persona. The book's title refers not very obliquely to her role as Galinda in the original Broadway cast of "Wicked." That may be her most well-known stage performance, but I imagine it would be hard to see Chenoweth in anything without adoring her.
Chenoweth is very talented and hardworking. She is also a religious Christian. She has appeared on The 700 Club, advocated passionately for the gay community, and dated, it seems, mostly Jews. Have you got a problem with any of that? In contrast to her soaring career, her personal life seems to have left her somewhat unfulfilled, at least, that's my take on it.
****
"Easy Street"
From "Annie" (1999, Disney) Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan
Alan Cumming as "Rooster" Hannigan
Kristin Chenoweth as Lily St. Regis
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
"Popular"
From "Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz" (2003) Kristin Chenoweth as Galinda
When I was growing up in the suburbs of New York in the 1970's, "Pippin" was the smart new musical that seemed to best define my generation. It had fabulous music and stunning choreography by the great Bob Fosse. In my unseasoned opinion, it was both cool and knowing.
Al Hirschfeld was the theatre caricaturist for the New York Times. His illustration for "Pippin" was published on October 22, 1972. The original artwork was sold last month at Swann Galleries.
Al Hirschfeld,Pippin Original Artwork forThe New York Times, October 22, 1972 Hirschfeld: Art and Recollections from Eight Decades. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1991. Page 157.
Al Hirschfeld,Pippin Swann Galleries, January 24, 2013
Al Hirschfeld,Pippin Original Artwork forThe New York Times, October 22, 1972 Hirschfeld: Art and Recollections from Eight Decades. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1991. Page 157. The copyright is held by the Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
