I first saw the great Musical Comedy Broadway show Pippin in New York City in 1977, and then a few years later when it toured in Los Angeles, and each time was great. I have the Pippin CD and VHS tape, and I recently bought the Pippin DVD. The Pippin DVD is great. The great thing about watching Pippin is that you are watching Pippin on stage as it is being filmed before a live audience. Ben Vereen and William Katt, and all the cast members are outstanding. Buy Pippin! The plot, choreography, and acting are excellent.
This videotape of the landmark Stephen Schwartz musical is a must-have for every musical theatre enthusiast. Ben Vereen re-creates his stunning Broadway performance, surrounded by an outstanding all-star cast. But this review is about the video, not the performances. The video was mercilessly whacked apart by David Sheenan, on some kind of a power trip,in many cases undermining the total effect of the program. Definitely buy it, still remember it's not the total product.
Warning to those who expect great recording on image and sound, this is not a superlative disc...it didn't even include a one-sheet inside with chapter titles. The direction of the project is spotty, too many close-up shots and not enough establishing shots make following the visual flow of the production difficult. And, unfortunately, the cameramen must not have thought too highly of Fosse's choreography because they cut away from it as much as possible to facial closeups. Also, the audio is horrible. On the bigger cast numbers, it actually 'blows out' on group notes. As for quality of filming and DVD presentation, this is an awful disc... But -- for those who love live theater, it's still a record of an interesting show with great performances by Vereen, Rivera, and Raye. It's definitely not a kid-appropriate piece, however. A long sex dance and a rather graphic war dance pull it out of the parent comfort zone for preteens.
In 1973, I was able to see the almost orginal cast(missing Irene Ryan, our dear Granny, who passed away while production was on Broadway.) Ben Vereen was unbelievable as was John Rubenstein. Now, we can't go back to 1973 and we can't all fit in a live theatre. This video records a live performace, so that we can remember how Ben Vereen was in the show, with all his energy, wit and power of dance. Having seen other videoed shows, however, the values are not as good on this one. It serves as a record of what was. Perhaps, Pippin will live on Broadway again. Otherwise, here is a taste, from Canada, of what the show was like, with Bill Katt as Pippin and Ben Vereen as the Leading Player. All the songs are here, including the smashing finale, but some of the more intimate moments (a severed head in conversation) is missing. This is a Bob Fosse show, so the dancing is definately Fosse. The sound is good, though upstage sounds are not as good as could have been recorded. If you're looking for a sense of what Pippin was, this is it!
verry well musical ! i need you, musical synari
I first saw the great Musical Comedy Broadway show Pippin in New York City in 1977, and then a few years later when it toured in Los Angeles, and each time was great. I have the Pippin CD and VHS tape, and I recently bought the Pippin DVD. The Pippin DVD is great. The great thing about watching Pippin is that you are watching Pippin on stage as it is being filmed before a live audience. Ben Vereen and William Katt, and all the cast members are outstanding. Buy Pippin! The plot, choreography, and acting are excellent.
This videotape of the landmark Stephen Schwartz musical is a must-have for every musical theatre enthusiast. Ben Vereen re-creates his stunning Broadway performance, surrounded by an outstanding all-star cast. But this review is about the video, not the performances. The video was mercilessly whacked apart by David Sheenan, on some kind of a power trip,in many cases undermining the total effect of the program. Definitely buy it, still remember it's not the total product.
Warning to those who expect great recording on image and sound, this is not a superlative disc...it didn't even include a one-sheet inside with chapter titles. The direction of the project is spotty, too many close-up shots and not enough establishing shots make following the visual flow of the production difficult. And, unfortunately, the cameramen must not have thought too highly of Fosse's choreography because they cut away from it as much as possible to facial closeups. Also, the audio is horrible. On the bigger cast numbers, it actually 'blows out' on group notes. As for quality of filming and DVD presentation, this is an awful disc... But -- for those who love live theater, it's still a record of an interesting show with great performances by Vereen, Rivera, and Raye. It's definitely not a kid-appropriate piece, however. A long sex dance and a rather graphic war dance pull it out of the parent comfort zone for preteens.