Thanks again to Ben Vereen. Total Fosse choreography, MASTERED by Ben. We won't see his like anytime soon, I fear. And I hope I'm wrong.

@reneastle8447

5 жыл бұрын

I think you'll be wrong. There will be someone like him, we just need to know where to look.

@Ace-so8yv

2 жыл бұрын

@@reneastle8447 damn straight

The amount of shock that hit me when I finally realized that the Leading Player was the "villain" all along 💀

Agree. William Katt looks like a colt finding its legs. He's clearly a good dancer able to make himself look like a mere beginner. Exuberant and Giddy and goofy, not polished and suave. I love how they played this!

Ben Vereen does not get nearly enough credit for his stage mastery.

@waldoandmccall

10 ай бұрын

Could Not agree more!

@MrTinahalfmann

8 ай бұрын

He won a Tony for this role. @@waldoandmccall

@tyfrey_

Ай бұрын

He did win a tony for this though

You want a sinister actor to subtly manipulate you until you're ready to set yourself on fire?

@OreadNYC

3 жыл бұрын

This is why for a long time now, I've viewed "Pippin" as a take on a medieval morality play...which would make the Leading Player not just the antagonist and villain but a demon attempting to lead him astray. Throughout the show, Pippin desperately seeks something which will make him feel fulfilled...and the Leading Player panders to Pippin's ego with war, lust, and power. At the end, the Leading Player attempts to push Pippin over the edge into despair by insinuating that all Pippin's efforts have been a waste and that he has no reason to go on living -- he nearly succeeds in convincing Pippin to commit what some people consider the worst sin of all, to destroy himself. Pippin, however, resists the Leading Player and realizes that the fulfillment he seeks is really very simple...love.

@griffin1837

Жыл бұрын

@@OreadNYCthat’s exactly the message, and how’s it’s intended to be

I love how predatory Ben Vereen's final pose is in this number- it's clear that the Leading Player's intentions for Pippin are anything but altruistic.

@benegesseritsis

2 жыл бұрын

What **are** his intentions though? I’m learning this song right now and wondering about it. And yes I’m responding to an 11-yr-old comment 😂

@marionday1451

2 жыл бұрын

@@benegesseritsis I don’t know about the original, but I’m getting obsessed with the 2013 version, and I think the director Paulus is being true to the story - the Leading Player repeatedly and across time attracts young men who are ready to step into life and causes them to choose their own destruction. The “right track” is to continue to struggle and seek to do “extraordinary things”, to be ambitious, and to be unsatisfied. Is the leading player ego? The force that drives us to succeed when our truer selves feel sad and tired. The voice that says, “don’t quit”. In most American stories, this voice is celebrated. “Don’t stop, push through it”. Fosse dealt with his trauma through working past exhaustion, he talks about this *in his work* while working himself to death. The Leading Player is leading Pippin nowhere good, and the game is up when Pippin chooses to leave the framework of the show entirely, for what we don’t know. The 2013 production makes this leaving explicitly Pippin’s choice (and he liberates a couple of players he cares about at the same time). The production adds a coda that there will always be a supply of men (women?) to play the Pippin role, and the production is an internal struggle.

@benegesseritsis

2 жыл бұрын

@@marionday1451 incredible answer thank you!

@OreadNYC

2 жыл бұрын

@@benegesseritsis "Pippin" in many respects is a modern version of a medieval morality play -- did you think it was just a coincidence that the story the Leading Player has chosen to tell is set in the Middle Ages?? In a typical medieval morality play, the protagonist is an Everyman who must resist the forces of temptation so that he can avoid being condemned to Hell. The antagonist in the medieval morality play is either Satan or a demon who on Satan's orders is attempting to corrupt the protagonist and lure him into sin. When you reflect on the ways in which the Leading Player attempts to guide and influence Pippin, it becomes clear that the Leading Player's intentions toward Pippin are actually far from benevolent. The Leading Player begins by tempting Pippin to experience Pride ("Corner Of The Sky"), the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins because it facilitates the others. The Leading Player reunites Pippin with his father who encourages him to go to war and kill people ("Glory"). When that fails, The Leading Player guides Pippin to his grandmother Bertha so that Pippin can experiment with Gluttony and Lust ("Sweet Summer Evenings"). When Pippin quickly grows disillusioned with that, the Leading Player's next strategy is to persuade Pippin to explore Envy and Wrath by killing his father so that he can take the throne for himself. When Pippin realizes that he's not ready to take the responsibility of being king, he runs away and eventually meets Catherine. However, he still persists in believing that he's destined for something greater and eventually leaves her. This is when the Leading Player takes advantage of Pippin's vulnerability and reveals the depth of his treachery by attempting to persuade Pippin to literally go out in a blaze of glory and commit suicide (a cardinal sin by medieval standards) -- bear in mind that this is the "climax never before seen on a public stage" which the Leading Player has been planning SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING. This suggests that if the Leading Player is not the Devil himself, he's most likely in league with him and his intention from the outset has bern to set Pippin up so that the only way he can achieve his big dream is by killing himself. The Leading Player's full nature is revealed once Pippin refuses to play his game any longer ("Finale") -- he strips the stage of the lights and the costumes and the music and attempts to drive a wedge between Pippin and Catherine. When that fails, he turns toward the audience and tries to tempt them by offering to provide them with a sense of greatness just like he once promised Pippin.

even so, Ben Vereen just oozes smooth during the whole number

I can’t imagine anyone else but William Katz as pippin. He was wonderful! Ben Vereen is a master! Great role for both of them.

@Historian212

2 жыл бұрын

The original was John Rubenstein, whom I much prefer to William Katt (not Katz).

@TheaterPup

Жыл бұрын

@@Historian212ohn Rubinstein is the stronger singer, lovely quirky voice, but I also love William Katt’s comedic timing and attitude. 😊

Ben Vereen just blew this part away.

William Katt is SUPPOSED to look awkward here--the Leading Player constantly shows him up in the play. This number is all about Pippin trying to following in his footsteps. But I agree with the last post...can you picture anyone doing this part as well as Vereen did? Just perfection.

@daveteves

4 жыл бұрын

Patina Miller?

@gracekeddy

3 жыл бұрын

patina miller certainly held her own

@kimsatter1785

Жыл бұрын

I loved everything Ben Vereen did, but you can definitely tell that Bob Fosse choreographed this. In fact Bob Fosse choreographed most of Ben's work.

@AntiSocialExtrovert323

6 ай бұрын

ehhhh idk, even if the point is for him not to upstage the leading player flash gordon is looking preeetty sloppy here

I love new right track, but in this they just seem to have so much fun, you can't not love it.

Ben Vereen was possessed by a trickster God in this musical and nothing can ever convince me otherwise

It's a terrific version of this song, the dancing, singing and the choreography. Katt is very appealing as a young man in doubt.

Ben Vereen. WOW again, and always. Thank you, Ben, for your talent, commitment, and smiles. You are a class act. THANKS again.

This will forever be my fav version. Been listening to it for 40 years.

the best version of pippin

@Ace-so8yv

2 жыл бұрын

I agree

I've been watching this every day at least once Ben Vereen is so perfect for this part and his dancing is so phenomenal him and William Katt look like there having so much in the part when there in sync

the jazz split at the end is brilliant!! ben vereen is my all time fav musical theater dancer and this is such an amazing showcase of his mastery of his musicality + control.

I love that Pippin in this version is "The Great American Hero" William Katt

@RodneyisGodney

3 жыл бұрын

*Greatest

@michaelwilliamybarra2409

3 жыл бұрын

He was also Tommy Ross in the 1976 film Carrie. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Katt

I prefer the vocals in the newer production but I prefer the choreography in this version. They look like they're having so much fun

@ingriddubbel8468

5 жыл бұрын

Its Fosse. Of course its brilliant.

@SuperRONDALE

5 жыл бұрын

Also most broadway songs now are higher in pitch due to pop songs being the norm.

@kaykayboy23

3 жыл бұрын

Looks like they are having fun now, they were straight up dying up until the 2nd month after shows started.

@shelbyhowell2544

2 жыл бұрын

Yess!!! I agree so much

@Historian212

2 жыл бұрын

This wasn’t the original, but a 1980s revival. I saw the original, and Vereen’s voice was much better. And lower. Not sure what happened there.

I love this! I love Ben Vereen! This song is wonderful. I've almost forgot about this number.

Both great performances but the Ben's energy truly incredible

Ben Vereen is beyond spectacular!

No one can do it like Ben!

Loved this musical forever.... as a youngster, before I knew about sex, money management, nihilism, etc. The music, coreography, and comedy (some over my head) was enough to cement it as a classsic

Ben Vereen jazz moves are heaven!

That last move>

0:05 When this line isn't in your script and you feel cheated.

Encouraging then discouraging. This whole show... nihilistic and realist, yet optimistic and forgiving. How now nice until the fourth wall that never existed is addressed is brought up, and the fact that most things in life are pure performance...but, then... those who care don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. This show is absolutely the best conceived show. Also a bop.

Their jocular symmetry is amazing!

this song is so true for anyone. we all want life to have meaning and to be on the right track!!!

Their voices blend so well together

@DurwardMatt I don't see how "having fun" and "looking awkward" are mutually exclusive. To answer your question (about how it advances the show): this is a musical about a young man who can't succeed in anything. His looking slick and competent would undermine the whole point of his journey. Picture this number with two characters who are equally as adept, smooth, and graceful: what's the point? No, this is an instruction number. Pippin may be having a blast, but he's not an expert.

You have to wonder about the nerve of someone who finds out he'll be dancing - on stage - with Ben Vereen, and still takes the part.

I love Ben Vereen. Its kinda funny that "dank" means good now in urban slang.

saw the Original on Broadway show with Ben Vereen and John Rubinstein in 1973. still my favorite number.

cool as a cucumber...love this!!

Perfection!

Love this song, they both sing and dance very good.

I'm a girl and was cast as leading player in my school's production. So keep hope alive, it may happen!

@benegesseritsis

2 жыл бұрын

10 years later: and it did!!

Alright, I know this a musical comedy, but I want my life to mean something! TRUTH.

Wow that other dude can move. Has no bones must be made rubber. Wow then theres Pippin :0 wow.

In the mid-80s, there was an old vaudeville theater in downtown Schenectady, NY. I don't know if it's still there. The front doors were mirrored in gold. You couldn't see in. I was walking past, one day, and got slammed by the door opening. I literally bumped into Ben Vereen walking out. He didn't say a word, just kept walking.

I can't stop watching these clips from Pippin, because I can't stop watching Ben Vereen dance (and sing!). But it's so frustrating! What genius decided to put a black man in a black outfit and have him perform in front of one black set after another without back lighting him???? I can barely see him in some of the videos! Even a stripe down the outside of his pants and sleeves would have helped! Did no one in the show notice?

@lafamilledegrace5442

6 жыл бұрын

UTube Channel excellent point! I was in a high school production of this play & even we had a better costume for our man in Mr. Vereen's role.

@michaelwilliamybarra2409

3 жыл бұрын

@@lafamilledegrace5442 What was the costume like? Can you elaborate in detail?

The expectations on vocals are much higher than in the past. Voices today have to be much more clear in tone. I appreciated the rougher edges and the simplicity of the staging. Too much razzle dazzle distraction in the newer production for "Corner of the Sky." People forget how refreshingly new this show was at the time. An unlikely figure from history imagined through music and dance way before Hamilton. Vereen aced it.

It took many years to realize that Pippin really isn't a bio-musical about the real life Pepin (who at any rate was hunchback in real life) but it's really a musical about the Baby Boomer generation who were very young at the time this musical came out, but Pippin shares a lot of traits with the Baby Boomers such as being rather self absorbed and obsessed with finding his purpose in (this is evidenced by the choice of costume by have him wear a tank top and jeans-which reflects more modern than historic costume tastes.)

Stephen Schwartz, though I dearly love him, has to stand behind Sondheim and Bernstein and Richard Rogers and a good several others for that "Greatest composer of all time" title. But there are Stephen Schwartz songs that are heaven, yes, and a great many are from this score.

@dennisodrane4428

6 жыл бұрын

bluejupiter100 Everyone stands behind Sondheim.

@irisbjones

5 жыл бұрын

Why does it have to be a competition???

boy, are they having fun with this. :}

Saw Ben Vereen in person at The Fairmont in NOLA circa 1975. He was so good ,it reminded me so much of Sammy Davis Jr., only in the sense , they both did it all ! Ben is the better dancer ,while Sammy was a better Vocalist ! Both were funny , but very different styles of comedy.!

Two words, BEN VEREEN!!

Just about anyone looks awkward next to Ben Vereen... just sayin'...

the high school version of my school put on this play yesterday and we went to see it my 7th grade only. we missed 5 periods and only seen the first act because we had lunch at our school so wee had to leave. but i think they are putting on the play for everyone to see on sunday because of the blizzard here

i want something like this scene to happen to me when if i'm ever depressed.

Excellence

Great musical. It's weird how William Katt didn't wear shoes through the entire show. Someone once said it's because Pippin was a hippie. Is that true? If not, why?

@AccusedJ

5 жыл бұрын

It’s actually because John Rubinstein, who originated the role of Pippin, not William Katt, had no luck with the costume department when it came to shoes and he couldn’t find a pair that fit comfortably. He got so fed up that one night he did the entire show barefoot. Bob Fosse ended up loving the decision.

@Quovatimus Thanks for the encouragement! Very much appreciated :D and congrats on the understudy part!

Be bop be bop 2:48

@diegolucano3354

4 жыл бұрын

Be bop! Be bop!

Ben Vareen kill it

classic line "Church isn't saving souls, it's investing in real estate!"

What will it be like if this song appeared in an episode of Digimon and performed by Davis and Yolei? That could've been marvellous to see Digimon having musical episodes.

Ben Vereen is one of the greatest dancers of all time, hats off to Mr Katt, he did as well as any human could keeping up with him. The remake of Pippen was quite, underwhelming. Not awful, just a pale shadow.

I was Theo in this play xD not this exact one though lol, so may memories

Ben Vereen blows William Kitt out of the water in this show. Ben has so much charisma and it's a joy tp watch

where to find the whole movie?

Does anyone know where to watch the full production of this specific show?

@nicolecada9997

3 жыл бұрын

i watched it on amazon prime

I'd like to see Davis and Yolei from Digimon perform this song. I have slowed down the dance part of the song from 1:32 to 2:58 at 0.75. In my opinion, that part was a little sped up. A magnificent number nonetheless.

hahaha no. just this scene in particular. i want someone to cheer me up like that.

@csereix amen brother :)

@thatswhatsheread Seriously? How did that work?

Their little pas de deux at 2:05 looks just like Hot Honey Rag where Velma and Roxie start dancing within a few inches of each other!

Oh no I shouldn't have told my director I can do the splits...now she's gonna want me to do that last piece of choreo... :P

@jameslickms I agree with you- I think it works that William looks a little awkward though. Pippin's a little awkward :)

I really prefer this version over the new one. They just seem.so stiff and not putting forward any emotion..plus without Bob Fosse,the show really can't work. But that's just my opinion

@mickeyjohnson5247

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@NifaFifa

5 жыл бұрын

I agree as well. Emotionality gives more to a song sometimes than vocal quality, and that's how this version is for me. Pippin's utter exasperation, the leading player's devilish mania, it all rings true. There's a Judi Dench version of, "Send in the Clowns," that to me is simply exquisite. Is she an amazing singer, heavens no, but she brings so much emotion to that song, it doesn't matter. Sondheim knew that with Elaine Stritch, her, "Ladies Who Lunch," will always be the best, hands down.

@irisbjones

5 жыл бұрын

@@NifaFifa Exactly. I can't go to musicals much anymore because EVERY SINGLE SONG is the showstopper with vocals that are really just screaming. It is so tiring on the ears for two hours. It's like we are supposed to get emotionally invested because they can sing these crazy notes. I really don't care. Give me a great actor and dancer with an ok voice any day. They will always pull me in.

Look inside yourself.

@naginnahehtmiolleh1 Yeah. As someone pointed out earlier, the idea of a highschool kid, not a prestigious performing arts college, not a well known regional theater, but a highschool kid claiming that their school did a superior performance, one that put Bob Fosse's efforts to shame is questionable at best. At very best. And to expect no challenges is equally questionable. Unless you attend a very very elite highly competitive performing arts school you cannot expect to be taken seriously.

Ben Vereen is a dying breed... I hope some new ones come up, but what I've seen recently on Broadway is Hollywood folks whose careers are suffering (i.e., DYING), and aren't that good, but get tickets sold on name recognition. Stage acting will NEVER be te same as film. Look at Ben move, for heaven's sake. And America thinks Bristol Palin is a good dancer? Good grief, and God Bless.

it kinda seems like william kat has a little trouble projecting with the high notes

Oops William Katt!

...And of course it is disastrous as far as distracting from what the other characters are doing and saying. Less is usually always more. The king sits because in that position the audience's eye is naturally drawn to him, without great show or pompous strutting. He is the king. This character is understood and respected as the king. He doesn't need to strut or "act" like a king, he simply IS king. His position sitting on stage reflects that.

is that usally a guy?

@ella-gz4fj

Жыл бұрын

Schwartz said Leading player can be played by anyone, the original Bway had it cast as a guy (Ben Vereen) but now different productions have all kinds of diff ppl.

@berowne9 He's supposed to look awkward? He looks like he's having too much fun to be awkward!

Good point. But at least people will remember your "epic fail", right!?

He is a great performer, but was off on this night!

@berowne9 He's not supposed to look awkward. The leading player lifts his spirits to get him to once again fall flat on his face and eventually kill himself. How does Pippin looking awkward advance the show? Pippin is supposed to be having fun here (up until he fails with art and the church)

@naginnahehtmiolleh1 Amazing.... "My highschool production was waaayyyy better than Fosse's original award winning cast production... Damned... If you truly believe that your production had to have been way off track, as you obviously have no idea what you were supposed to have been doing. You never want a character doing too much with their arms or hands, particularly if they are one of the lead characters, it distracts from what he is saying or what is important in what he's doing...

Did they poke fun of the church? I don’t know about the white boy but Ben should have known better. You don’t poke fun at the church! There was a time when church was the cornerstone of African American life.