BroadwayHD celebrated its 10th anniversary with a spectacular event screening of the Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert at New York City’s SVA Theatre which brought the magic of Broadway back to life. The celebration of BroadwayHD’s 10th anniversary and Pippin’s enduring legacy united theater legends with fans during this star-studded evening.
The iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London hosted the live recording of Stephen Schwartz’s Tony Award-winning musical which demonstrated its lasting popularity. An all-star ensemble delivered a dazzling performance which included Tony Award winner Alex Newell as the Leading Player and Olivier Award winner Patricia Hodge as Berthe while WhatsOnStage Award winners Lucie Jones played Catherine and Cedric Neal acted as Charlemagne. Standout performances featured Zizi Strallen as Fastrada and Jac Yarrow as Pippin alongside Ryan Heenan as Theo while a 25-piece orchestra and 50-person choir provided dynamic accompaniment.
The concert streaming on BroadwayHD enthralled its audience through its dynamic energy and stunning choreographic sequences. The performance maintained Bob Fosse’s original vision through detailed movements and storytelling which honored the legendary choreographer’s innovative style.
An insightful panel discussion took place after the screening which was moderated by Julie James and included celebrated figures such as Stephen Schwartz, Alex Newell, Ben Vereen, John Rubinstein, Jac Yarrow, and Tovah Feldshuh. The panel discussed both the challenges and victories of staging Pippin through the years and how the show maintained its fundamental messages while adapting to new times.
Ben Vereen who first played the Leading Player shared emotional words honoring Pippin’s legacy as well as the team’s commitment to preserving Fosse’s spirit. “Bob would be quite proud. Vereen expressed his emotion about the ongoing influence of the musical while noting that Bob would be happy to see his choreographic style still present in the performance.
Patricia Hodge delivered a breathtaking performance of No Time at All that evolved into an impromptu sing-along demonstrating live theater’s ability to bring people together through its communal spirit.
The Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert at BroadwayHD’s anniversary celebration became more than a milestone recognition as it paid homage to storytelling’s lasting impact through song and dance. Through its efforts to connect live theater with digital viewers BroadwayHD sustains its crucial role in keeping the history of legendary shows like Pippin accessible.
Visit www.BroadwayHD.com to begin streaming today and discover this concert along with numerous other Broadway performances.