RECOMMENDED
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.
Related Stories
Something to Chew On: A Review of The Tasters at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble The world premiere of Meghan Brown's play seems less a futurist fantasy than a parable of life in a failed state turned patriarchal prison-house.- Let Them Eat: A Review of The Cake at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble No amount of frosting can sweeten the bitter aftertaste of this Midwest premiere at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.
- Flights Less Fancy: A Review of Marisol at Promethean Theatre Ensemble This production of José Rivera's Obie Award-winning magical realist play falls short on the magic.
- Trivia and Meaning: A Review of Arcadia at Promethean Theatre Ensemble Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of Tom Stoppard's ode to balancing reason and ardor is as welcome as ever.
- Ship of Fools: A Review of Laura and the Sea at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble This world premiere by Kate Tarker compellingly asks: how well do you think you know your coworkers? And, by extension, how well do you know yourself?
- When The Levee Breaks: A Review of Cal in Camo at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble Rivendell Theatre Ensemble kicks off their reckoning-themed 2018 season with this allegorical domestic drama by former ensemble member William Francis Hoffman.
