Tokyo International Players (TIP) presents “Pippin,” a captivating and scintillating musical comedy with a dark and sinister twist A band of mysterious traveling performers has just arrived in Tokyo to present an anecdotic revue about Pippin, a young prince in Charlemagne’s France. On a quest to find complete and utter fulfillment for his life, along the way Pippin confronts intrigue, humour, romance, illusions, battles, and ultimately a climax – “ladies and gentlemen, a climax justly famous throughout the civilized world.” Will the extraordinary Pippin obtain his goal of deciding what matters most in life – before it’s too late? Join us for “Pippin,” a musical written by Robert O. Hirson with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (composer of “Godspell,” “Children of Eden,” and “Wicked”), originally directed and choreographed by Broadway legend Bob Fosse. A dark and comic reinvention of this iconic musical, “Pippin” will close the 113th season for Tokyo International Players, Asia’s longest-running English-language theatre group. The production features a tremendous cast of 30, including seasoned veterans of the community theatre troupe as well as actors making their Tokyo stage debut. “Pippin” is the TIP directorial debut for American-born Jon Reimer. Jon holds a Theatre Directing degree from the widely regarded Muhlenberg College in the U.S. and has previously turned his many talents to productions “Schweyk in the Second World War,” “William Shakespeare’s R3,” and “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” for TIP. Based on historical information regarding Charlemagne (first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire circa 768 C.E.) and his eldest son Pippin, the story follows an optimistic youth post-university who plunges into a world of political conflict and wars. Pippin feels a need to accomplish something meaningful with his life – as his father has – so he begins trying every imaginable venue toward self-fulfillment. He goes off to war, he dabbles in sex and drugs, and he even tries his hand at politics. When his options start to dwindle and nothing seems to be working out quite the way he thought it would, the Leading Player offers one last option to Pippin as a way of doing something spectacular with his life – the Grand Finale. Full of classic musical theatre songs, such as “Magic to Do,” “Morning Glow,” “I Guess I'll Miss the Man,” and “Corner of the Sky,” this show can be enjoyed by lovers of classic musicals, dance shows, and intellectual theatre alike. “Pippin” is sure to speak to the hearts of world travelers and adventurers, young and old. Featuring a tremendous troupe of Tokyo talent: Jeremy Trigsted, Gemma Nokes, Ra Weir, Kathleen Gerard, Danielle Brown, Ron Scott, Paul Tempel, Brian Berdanier, Andres Clarke, Ken Endo, Kanon Hewitt, Juna Hewitt, Lou McLeod, Rika Wakasugi, Stacy Lynette Powell, Meg Igarashi, Sorcha Chisholm, Carey Storin, Richard Schwartz, Daniel Tyrie, Sonja Inge, Akira Sorimachi, Patty McManus, Tom Brown, Itsuko Scott, E, Asuka Sorimachi, Emi Haskell, Dale Haskell, Lauren Cullen, Kelly Haavaldsrud, and introducing Andy Kukowski as Pippin. Due to strong language and mature themes, this show is not recommended for young children. For more details on age appropriateness, visit the TIP website. Show Times: May 13th at 7pm May 14th at 7pm May 15th at 1pm & 7pm May 16th at 1pm & 7pm Prices: Adults: 4,000 yen with advance online reservations, 4,500 yen at the door Students: 2,500 yen Venue: Theater Sun-Mall Shinjuku: Sun-mall Crest Bldg., 1-19-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map: http://www.tokyoplayers.org/?lang=1&page=63 Visit the TIP website for tickets: http://www.tokyoplayers.org 
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