He just floats around the stage, his dancing is just perfect. He makes the simplest step look so smooth and elegant you almost forget he is soloing a full song.
Much props to Ben Vereen in this play! The Leading Player role is a tough act that few people can pull off, and he does it! The Finale scene is his best performance in the play. I would do this play.
There actually might be a very good reason why Ben Vereen is perfect as the Leading Player -- and it's not just because he was the first person to play the role. I remember reading somewhere that after Ben Vereen was cast, the role of the Leading Player was expanded from what it was in the initial script to take advantage of what he was bringing to it. Bear in mind that at this point, Vereen was still new to stardom. In 1971, after working as a dancer on Broadway for several years, Vereen received his Big Break by playing Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" -- and "Pippin" opened the following year. If this is true, then what this means is that the role might not have been created specifically for Vereen but it became what it is now because of him.
considering how long this play is. and how much he's running around and is the main person. it's expected that he makes a slip up now and again. he is a human after all
Our high school put on this production when I was a senior. It was SO fun!! My brother played Pippin. We had one of my friends, a girl, play Ben's part. Of course, we had to clean it up a lot.
eh as a vocal major i think it was an artistic breath, a slight pause to show his thinking mind. his voice would've been weaker if he had really run out of breath most vocalists of that caliber can go on for miles without it showing.
Thats because Fosse change the original production a great deal. Composer Stephen Schwartz was angry and all subsequent productions reverted to what he orifinally intended.
Actually, Schwartz later revised it in the 2000's (for amateur audiences) and made it absolute garbage with awkward lines replacements, to making Theo older, giving him a foul mouth but still keeping his relationship with the duck like an 8 year old child, and of course the overhyped new finale where the Player begin to convince Theo to do there finale. See the cycle is repeating! There's a new, and much younger Pippin. Oh great, are we going to get the sequel Theo: His Life and Times now, or will he just be an idiot and kill himself, because he's go nothing better to do with his time.
Yeah he did, but given the fact at how long the play is, him dancing to moves done in fause (sorry if spelled wrong) plus being very energetic on stage, I think we can let him pass on the slip up. Plus he has to be supper hot dancing like that in all black under those hot stage lights.
Pippin has some great music, but it really isn't Stephen Schwartz's best work, the narrative is confusing, and most productions I've come across seem very much style over substance.
I believe that Schwartz had a large hand in that production. Maybe he even ghost directed it? He's probably still angry that he didn't win the Tony for Pippin, but Fosse did and he can't accept that Fosse made it possible for it to even get to that point. Godspell didn't get to broadway till 1976, while Pippin was still running. He wants to take away as much of Fosse as he can. Sure, he leaves in the Manson Trio, but it's not a good idea use a totally different choreography. I've seen people try, didn't impress me.The revival is a representation of everything that sucks about broadway now.
He just floats around the stage, his dancing is just perfect. He makes the simplest step look so smooth and elegant you almost forget he is soloing a full song.
Much props to Ben Vereen in this play! The Leading Player role is a tough act that few people can pull off, and he does it! The Finale scene is his best performance in the play. I would do this play.
Ben Vereen was OUTSTANDING.
There actually might be a very good reason why Ben Vereen is perfect as the Leading Player -- and it's not just because he was the first person to play the role. I remember reading somewhere that after Ben Vereen was cast, the role of the Leading Player was expanded from what it was in the initial script to take advantage of what he was bringing to it. Bear in mind that at this point, Vereen was still new to stardom. In 1971, after working as a dancer on Broadway for several years, Vereen received his Big Break by playing Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" -- and "Pippin" opened the following year. If this is true, then what this means is that the role might not have been created specifically for Vereen but it became what it is now because of him.
@@eadler5929 got him a Tony, he was that outstanding!
considering how long this play is. and how much he's running around and is the main person. it's expected that he makes a slip up now and again. he is a human after all
what was the slip up?
I can the value of both Leading Player performances. Vareen's LP was definitely more manic.
I think this is simply wonderful! Well done, Ben Vereen!
The man gives everything on the stage!
BEN VEREEN IS INCREDIBLE.
... I love the no-pants guitarist. XD
one word: Amazing.
this song is one of lifes simple joys!!
I love this version more than the official recording - it has a lot more pizzazz imo :)
Our high school put on this production when I was a senior. It was SO fun!! My brother played Pippin. We had one of my friends, a girl, play Ben's part. Of course, we had to clean it up a lot.
Bravo!!!
A-MA-ZING Vereen!
eh as a vocal major i think it was an artistic breath, a slight pause to show his thinking mind. his voice would've been weaker if he had really run out of breath most vocalists of that caliber can go on for miles without it showing.
I'm doing the guitar for this for my school's production soon. Luckily, they let me wear pants since I'm in the orchestra pit.
me too! I cannot play On The Right Track very well tho...
The Naked Cowboy's theatrical ancestor.
before just now i have only watched and listened to Patina Miller. this was very entertaining tho, Ben is adorable ☺
lol i love the ending
...This is the original...
No... Its not
This is a replica of the Original. The Original came out in 1972. This is the TV version from 1981...
Thats because Fosse change the original production a great deal. Composer Stephen Schwartz was angry and all subsequent productions reverted to what he orifinally intended.
Actually, Schwartz later revised it in the 2000's (for amateur audiences) and made it absolute garbage with awkward lines replacements, to making Theo older, giving him a foul mouth but still keeping his relationship with the duck like an 8 year old child, and of course the overhyped new finale where the Player begin to convince Theo to do there finale. See the cycle is repeating! There's a new, and much younger Pippin. Oh great, are we going to get the sequel Theo: His Life and Times now, or will he just be an idiot and kill himself, because he's go nothing better to do with his time.
you mean 1981
Why is this just showing up on my suggestions?
and he happens to be the best part of this video. i love ittt!!!. i wish we didnt have to wear pants! XD
sweet summer evening's
@budwayz i think that would be cool. only bc im a girl and i would love to play that part lol.
Celia, if you are here, you are moving forward....Keep going.
When ever I think Ben Vereen I think Wolverine...
"1981 DVD" yeah, right
...Likewise. actually, a buddy of mine does the same gig. :p
He did not breathe before "ramble?" HELLO???????
Pft only two people disliked
You guys are sad
He screws up the lyrics. Says twig on a fig.
Yeah he did, but given the fact at how long the play is, him dancing to moves done in fause (sorry if spelled wrong) plus being very energetic on stage, I think we can let him pass on the slip up. Plus he has to be supper hot dancing like that in all black under those hot stage lights.
Pippin has some great music, but it really isn't Stephen Schwartz's best work, the narrative is confusing, and most productions I've come across seem very much style over substance.
The line is "river's belong where they can ramble". It's one thought...he took a breath before he completed the phrase...and this guy had a career!!!
He's dancing the fucking house down and singing a fast song with very high notes. You can't blame him for screwing up a little.
what the hell! thats not how the song goes! i want the old versoin!
This is the original.
Kremit he sings it slightly differently in the original broadway soundtrack from 1972. More or less the same, just improvised a bit differently
this isin't simple joys numb nuts.
Yep, patina was better
Can't even begin to explain how overrated she, and this entire revival, is.
ShadowBladePhenom Though I like the original better, the revival is still fantastic.
+ShadowBladePhenom the revival was good but you can't beat the original.
elijah gerard HELL NO
I believe that Schwartz had a large hand in that production. Maybe he even ghost directed it? He's probably still angry that he didn't win the Tony for Pippin, but Fosse did and he can't accept that Fosse made it possible for it to even get to that point. Godspell didn't get to broadway till 1976, while Pippin was still running. He wants to take away as much of Fosse as he can. Sure, he leaves in the Manson Trio, but it's not a good idea use a totally different choreography. I've seen people try, didn't impress me.The revival is a representation of everything that sucks about broadway now.