From left, Dylan Floor, Ryan Schisler, Ryan Gibson, Preslie Gibson and Courtney Ebert in Elkhart Civic Theatre’s production of “Pippin,” opening Friday, July 25 at the Bristol Opera House. Photos from Elkhart Civic Theatre.

News Release

ELKHART — Elkhart Civic Theatre will present the Stephen Schwartz musical Pippin at the Bristol Opera House Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26, Friday, Aug. 1, Saturday, Aug. 2 and Sunday, Aug. 3.  The show is directed by Brock Butler,  assisted by Stacey Nickel with music direction by Roy Bronkema and choreography by Heather Holland.

“Pippin” is rated PG-13 due to some adult situations.  Tickets for “Pippin” can be purchased online at elkhartcivictheatre.org/pippin or by calling the box office at (574) 848-4116 weekday afternoons.

From left, Natalie MacRae Waggoner as Catherine, Miles Hage as Theo and Cristian Marques as Pippin in Elkhart Civic Theatre’s production of Pippin, opening Friday, July 25 at the Bristol Opera House.

From Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson, the award-winning composer behind Wicked, Godspell, and The Prince of Egypt, “Pippin” tells the story of a young prince in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power — after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great. In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the un-extraordinary moments that happen every day.

ECT artistic director Brock Butler said of the show, “When “Pippin” debuted on Broadway in 1972, the Vietnam war was still raging amid a strong anti-war movement. For Elkhart Civic Theatre’s production, I chose to set the show in 1972 within a Manson-like cult as the Leading Player and her band of followers bring this tale to life within the walls of an abandoned theatre using the minimal props and costume pieces they have at their disposal.

From left, Coby Henslee as Lewis, Amber Schisler as Fastrada, Ryan Schisler as Charlemagne and Cristian Marques as Pippin.

He continued, “In taking this material back to basics, my hope is that audiences leave with a fresh take on a modern classic and perhaps relate to it in ways they hadn’t considered.”

The cast of Elkhart Civic Theatre’s production of “Pippin” includes: Kylie Hamm as the Leading Player; Critian Marquez as Pippin; Ryan Schisler as Charlemagne; Amber Schisler as Fastrada; Coby Henslee as Lewis; Janis Logsdon as Berthe; Natalie Macrae-Waggoner as Catherine; Miles Hage as Theo; Drew Davis; Courteney Ebert; Dylan Floor; Preslie Gibson; Ryan Gibson; Kaitlyn Meyer; Oliver Pollock and Keighdee Spatt.

Elkhart Civic Theatre receives major support from season sponsors Laura and Jack B. Smith, Jr. and Gaska Tape, as well as media support from WNIT-PBS Michiana.