Boho Theatre’s “Pippin” is a dated product of its time: all Fosse swagger and casual seventies sex. But Boho is to be commended for putting the teeth back in a show that years of community theater and high school productions have defanged.
Pippin (Shaun Nathan Baer) is the eldest son of King Charlemagne (Michael Kingston), a young man desperate to lead a fulfilling life. He careens from school to battle to religion, trying to find his path.
Director Peter Marston Sullivan restores the show’s disturbing dark humor, which Travis Porchia as the Leading Player ably embodies. Baer captures Pippin’s ripe-for-exploitation innocence. Kingston and Jenny Lamb—as Pippin’s duplicitous stepmother—sink their teeth into their complex villain roles; they’re great fun to watch. The show’s not perfect; strained high notes and dropped props marred the first act. But given time, the piece should be able to find its corner of the sky. (Lisa Buscani)
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble at Theater Wit, 1229 West Belmont, (773)975-8150. Through November 13.
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