8/14/2019 Pippin.docx

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Jake Drouillard

9/27/13

Musical theatre voice

Pippin is a very strange show. It is very surreal in its presentation and the

music does not give quite the feel of the story. It is about a man who is searching for

is path to greatness going down many roads all while being guided by a troupe

leader. The two recordings are very different and I actually had been listening to the

original soundtrack for years before hearing the new one. I actually proffered the

new recording such as the gender changes in character and the all around newer

feeling and stylization given to the songs.

I really like the whole story and how the musical told it. I have always been

rather partial to Schwartz so it had the feel of his that I am rather fond of. As stated

above I preferred the way it was interpreted in the newer recording.

Stephen Schwartz has a love of high male parts, especially in his chorus

tenors. He goes for some what unique melodies that make the easily distinguished

as his work. Especially in the way he arranges his choral harmonies.

It very much reminds me of Children of Eden in many ways such as his

chorus arrangements. Also the solos throughout the show are very similarly written

to Since I Gave my Heart Away from Gippetto as well as Out There from Hunchback

of Notre Dame. The two productions very in stylization, less that of the writing but

more of the actors interpretation. It is very apparent that the actors in the first

production had much more of the golden era musical theatre influence where as

the new one had much more of the Modern musical influence.