Misericordia Players perform magical musical ‘Pippin’ in Dallas Nov. 16-19
From a press release:
The Misericordia Players will present the Stephen Schwartz musical “Pippin” on Thursday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 19 in the Lemmond Theater of Walsh Hall at Misericordia University in Dallas.
Based on a book by Roger O. Hirson with choreography by Bob Fosse, “Pippin” is the story of a young prince in England during the Middle Ages whose journey becomes extraordinary. Through a series of battles, lusty entanglements, and political maneuvers, Pippin learns the meaning of true happiness is more complicated than he imagined.
The play premiered on Broadway featuring Ben Vereen in the role of Leading Player on Oct. 23, 1972. It ran for 1,944 performances and garnered five Tony Awards before closing in 1977. A revival by the American Repertory Theater appeared on Broadway from March 2013 through January 2015. Songs from the show include, “Magic to Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” and “Morning Glow.”
Performances on Nov. 16-18 are at 8 p.m., and on Nov. 19, the show begins at 2 p.m. The cost is $8 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens, Misericordia students, and alumni. Tickets are available at the door or online at misericordia.edu.
The “Pippin” cast features Misericordia students Nicole Liebeknecht of Dallas in the role of Leading Player and Adam Ercolani of Bear Creek as Pippin. Samantha Midkiff, Palmerton; Joseph Tatano, Middle Village, New York; Michela Torbik, Wilkes-Barre; Noah Schweiger, Barton, New York; Stephanie Helsel, Woolwich Township, New Jersey; Adam Myers, Bear Creek; Zoe Lapore, West Pittston; Dawson Kerch, Allentown; Aiden McAndrew, Scranton; Cordell Gresh, Harveys Lake; Emily Clarke, Hunlock Creek; Madison Mokychic, Monroe Township; Nina Owen, Harding; Natalie Deutsch, Paramus, New Jersey; Annette Ritzko, Coaldale, and Jacqueline Marchese, Staten Island, New York, are members of the cast. In addition, director Jeffrey Kelly received special permission from Schwartz to change the role of Theo from male to female and cast Nichole Conrad of Dallas, a student at Dallas High School, in the part.
Jeffrey Kelly of Dallas, who serves as manager of cultural and special events and theater director at Misericordia University, is the director and technical director for the production. The following people also are involved in the production: Cassandra Palfey, Dallas, music director; Jaclyn Nat, Plains, choreographer; Audrey Ide, Dallas, costumer; Harry McKeown, Plymouth, set design; Donald Hopkins, Dallas, lighting design, and Richard Baldovin, Pittston, sound engineer. In addition, Michaela McQuaig of Mechanicsburg and Bailey Waltman of Berwick will serve as stage managers.
For more information about the play and other cultural events at Misericordia University, visit misericordia.edu or call the Misericordia box office at 570-674-6719.
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University (301 Lake St., Dallas) is Luzerne County’s first four-year college and offers 45 academic programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full and part-time formats. Misericordia ranks in the top tier of the Best Regional Universities – North category of U.S. News and World Report’s 2018 edition of Best Colleges and was designated a 2018 Best Northeastern College by the Princeton Review. Money magazine also includes Misericordia in its 2017-18 “Best Colleges” list.
