Florida Rep Announces The Opening Of PIPPIN

Florida Rep Announces the Opening of Pippin

Florida Rep Education announced the opening of Pippin, a hip and satirical story full of intrigue, temptation and fun.

Playing June 15 & 16, Pippin is an exciting coming of age musical fable about a boy prince's struggle to find meaning and significance in his life.

"Pippin is a powerful parable about what brings fullfilment in life. Throughout the story, Pippin tries to find happiness in fame, position and prestige," said Director, Rachael Endrizzi "in rehearsals, the cast and I have discussed how Pippin's struggle connects to society today in that people seek fame through venues such as reality TV without thinking of the consequences. We think that it's a fun show that is really going to resonate with everyone."

The original Broadway production of Pippin was an instant Broadway sensation and ran for over 1,900 performances. It won 5 Tony Awards and and 4 Drama Desk Awards in the early 1970s.

Pippin is presented as part of Florida Rep Education's Theatre Conservatory Program, a 13-week audition-only program that puts young actors onstage and is designed to give students an introduction to the professional world with real-life regional theatre experience.

The production features a company of 25 of Florida Rep's rising stars. These young artists auditioned in February with over a hundred other students for spots in this competitive Conservatory Program. Over the course of 13-weeks the cast of Pippin has rehearsed with Working Theatre professionals to learn staging, choreography and music.

Florida Rep's Education Director, Rachael Endrizzi (Thomas Edison: Fire of Genius; 13 The Musical), directed and costume designed the production, and was joined by an expert team including music director Keara Trummel; choreographer Amy Marie McCleary; set designer Drew LaMott; and lighting designer Kate Smith.

Pippin with music by Oscar winner Steven Schwartz (WICKED, GODSPELL) plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre for 3 performance only on Friday, June 15 at 7pm and on Saturday, June 16 at 2 & 7pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available online at www.floridarep.org or through the box office at 239-332-4488.

Florida Rep's Educational programming is generously sponsored by Grampy's Charities, the City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee, LCEC, Florida Theatrical Association, Parent & Child Magazine, Publix Charities, the Alliance for the Arts, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and Arthur Zupko.

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Currently spending his time between New York and Florida, Beau was born to a theatrical family in Brooklyn. He studied drama at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and at HB Studios. He studied theater singing with Julia Sperratore and Helen Gallagher. Beau later taught drama at the Lincoln Center Square for the Arts. It was at this time Beau began working with the Theater Development Fund and helped found New York's famed HALF PRICE TICKET BOOTH. Early in his career, Beau was screen tested and contracted for Warner Brothers. He co-hosted, an early cable variety series on Manhattan's Teleprompter channel. At this time he directed the Johnny Specca musical, SEX IS..? at the Lincoln Center Library Theater. Beau has performed Off-Broadway in FAT FELL DOWN, The Comic Strip Theater's LITTLE LULU AND THE INVISIBLE INK and WILL THE REAL ZOOPERMAN PLEASE STAND UP. Around the country he has delighted audiences with his performances in ANYTHING GOES, THE APPLE TREE, GUYS & DOLLS, and HELLZAPOPPIN! He sang for New York audiences at such cabarets as The Duplex and Upstairs at the Downstairs. He has had numerous television appearances but is most proud to have been a winning contestant on the game shows JACKPOT and THE $20,000 PYRAMID.

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