As the lights dimmed in Trahern Theater, Bryce Nolan Conner took the stage. When the lights brightened, the music was playing and the rest of the company joined him for the opening number, “Magic To Do.”
APSU’s Department of Theater and Dance and the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts presented their production of “Pippin” last week Nov. 18 through Nov. 20.
Daniel Rye ruled the stage as Pippin, the young prince who is consistently searching for more in life. He wowed the audience with his sweet, charming vocals that were consistently in tune. He made it believable that he was an “Extraordinary” person.
One person who seemed to show him his hardest competition was Catherine, his co-star and on stage lover played by Elizabeth Hadden. Every song Hadden sang was brightly cheered by the audience.
Russell Qualls played Pippin’s father, King Charles. Qualls portrayed the grand role with perfect qualities, easily bringing the King’s hard-ruling personality to life. He also brought a large portion of the humor in the first act as he was constantly referred to as the “giant in the bedroom.”
Alaina Runions played Pippin’s grandmother Berthe, who began as a frail old lady and transformed into a frolicking, foxy cougar. Her number, “No Time at All,” consisted of her flirting with various young men and belting out powerful lines.
The remaining cast consisted of a perfectly orchestrated company that remained full of life and pizzazz for the entirety of the show. In the company were the following: Dillon Biemesderfer, Riley Braem, Raven Cooper, Humberto Figueroa, Cody Furline, Cinthya Griffith, Sarilda Mayberry, Heather Nicholas, Octavious Padgett, Sara Schichtel, L’Oreal Terry, and Darius Walls.
Not only was the cast perfectly synced throughout the entire musical, the chemistry they had with the audience made the musical the success it was.
Each and every one of these amazing actors and their director, Chris Hardin, assistant professor of theatre and dance at APSU, should be congratulated for an outstanding show.
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