Story co-produced with Max Poku-Kankam
WCU student Emmy-Mae Speakman walked out of the Thursday showing of Pippin with her “expectations being shattered.”
“The cast, who are all so insanely talented, conveyed the powerful story of Pippin so beautifully,” Speakman said. “It truly felt like we were immersed in the world of the characters. I know I’m aiming to see it again!”
The Western Carolina School of Stage and Screen release their second production of 2025 this weekend, titled “Pippen the Musical” in the Bardo Performance Hall. The show opened on Thursday, April 10, but they continue throughout the weekend at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The School of Stage and Screen describes Pippin as a “carnival of wonder, where illusions dance and destiny beckons. Young Prince Pippin’s quest for purpose unfolds in acrobatics, firelight, and magic.” The show stars Ethan Naggiar as Pippin, Kasen Walker as the Leading Player, and Ryanne Trench as Catherine, among others. It is directed by WCU Endowed Professor of Musical Theatre Matte O’Brien and the orchestra is conducted by Matt Vinson, a guest artist based in New York.
Assistant scenic designer Abby Grissom helped create the gorgeous set and said that the theme was “cathedral turned nightclub turned theater”.
“What’s interesting is Pippin is usually done as a carnival,” Grissom said in an interview. “So when Matte (O’Brien) came up with the idea of doing a cathedral, I was very excited about that because it’s different from how Pippen is normally done.”
During the dress rehearsal on Wednesday, April 8, the student performers were able to get rapper Yung Gravy to stop by before his concert on campus for Spring Fest. They all took a group photo with Gravy, which he then asked if the students would perform a dance for him. The students gladly chose to oblige and performed a snippet of “Magic to Do” for Gravy.
Director Matte O’Brien has been interested in directing Pippin for a long time. “I’ve always loved the score of Pippin, and it was one of the shows I’ve literally never worked on,” O’Brien said in an interview before rehearsal. “So when they asked me what would be in my top shows, Pippin was high on the list, so it was an easy choice (to direct).”
Students may be wondering why they should take the time out of their weekend to come watch the musical, and O’Brien has the answer for you.
“It’s about finding your place in the world and it was written during the Vietnam war but it still has a lot of themes that plays with politics and social unrest and how to navigate family and friends and love,” O’Brien said. “And it’s funny and touching, and it has a killer score.”
To purchase tickets to Pippin this weekend, go to the Bardo Arts Center website or head to the box office before the show in the Bardo Performance Hall lobby. Student and children’s tickets are $10, while senior/WCU faculty tickets are $12 and adults are $17.
