See our calendar for all upcoming theatre events.

AUDIENCE EXTRAS:

Students/Seniors 60+/Military: $4 off

Student Rush: $12.00 (with ID/starting one hour prior to curtain)

Bring a Group and Save! Groups of 10+ /$4.00 off each ticket Groups of 30+/$8.00 off each ticket

Please ask for the discount at time of purchase.

PIPPIN

September 7 - October 14, 2012
MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT	SUN
3	4	5	6	7 Preview $27 8pm	8 Preview $27 8pm	9 Preview $27 2pm
10	11	12 Preview $27 8pm	13 Preview $27 8pm	14 Preview $27 8pm	15 Opening $50 8pm	16 $41 2pm
17	18	19	20 $36 8pm	21 $41 8pm	22 $41 8pm	23 $41 2pm
24 $36 8pm	25	26	27 $36 8pm	28 $41 8pm SOLD OUT	29 $41 8pm	30 $41 2pm
1	2	3	4 $36 8pm	5 $41 8pm	6 $41 8pm	7 $41 2pm
8	9	10	11 $36 8pm	12 $41 8pm	13 $41 8pm	14 $41 2pm

Show Summary
Cast & creative
Press Photos
Press Release
Reviews
This n That

Show Summary

PIPPIN
September 7 - October 14, 2012

A reimagined, innovative staging of the musical favorite that captivated Broadway audiences and continues to appeal to the young at heart everywhere! James Vasquez upends the story of a young prince searching for happiness and fulfillment. On his journey Pippin samples the glories of the battlefield, the wisdom of a grandmother, the intrigues of political power, the pleasures of the flesh and simple farm life – trying to find where he fits in. Join us for a magical, musical fairy tale of extraordinary discovery.

Featuring Megan Carmitchel, Andy Collins, Courtney Corey, Tony Houck, Luke Jacobs, Wendy Maples, Louis Pardo and Hunter Schwarz.

With the generous support of Creative Fund Donors Pat Shank and Darrell Netherton & Robert Wheeler

CREATIVE TEAM

Stephen Schwartz (Music & Lyrics) has contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin , The Magic Show, The Baker's Wife, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags, Children of Eden, My Fairytale, and the Broadway hit, Wicked. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s Mass and wrote the title song for the play and movie Butterflies are Free. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, Captain Louie and My Son Pinocchio. For films, he collaborated with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted as well as the animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and wrote the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. He has released two CDs of new songs entitled Reluctant Pilgrim and Uncharted Territory. His first opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, premiered with Opera Santa Barbara in the fall of 2009 and was recently produced by New York City Opera. A book about his career, “Defying Gravity,” has been released by Applause Books. Under the auspices of the ASCAP Foundation, he runs musical theatre workshops in New York and Los Angeles, and is currently the President of the Dramatists’ Guild. Mr. Schwartz has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Other awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and a tiny handful of tennis trophies. stephenschwartz.com.

Roger O. Hirson (Book) has written extensively for the movies, television and the theatre, both Broadway and off-Broadway. He is best known for Pippin and Walking Happy, which received several Tony Awards nominations. His son, Christopher, the jazz saxophonist and painter, lives in Berlin. His son, David, the author of La Bete, lives in New York.

James Vasquez (Director and Choreographer) returns to Diversionary after directing the critically acclaimed world premiere Harmony, Kansas. Other Diversionary credits: Next Fall, Fair Use, [title of show] (SD Critics Circle nominations for Outstanding Direction and Resident Musical), and Twist. James won the Craig Noel SD Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for Cygnet's Sweeny Todd which also won the Outstanding Resident Musical Award. Other recent directing/choreographing credits include: Harmony, Kansas workshop, (Goodspeed), The Rocky Horror Show, Emma (Assc. Director), Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2003-2011), Boeing-Boeing (Old Globe Theatre), Hedwig…, Little Shop of Horrors (Cygnet Theatre), and Into The Woods (New Village Arts). In 2004, James founded Daisy 3 Pictures with Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston. Their first two feature films, 29th and Gay (TLA Releasing, Here TV) and Ready? OK! (Wolfe Video, LOGO) have played national and international film festivals, with Ready? OK! winning the Best Feature Film award in Seattle, North Carolina, and San Diego. Their latest film, That's What She Said, starring Anne Heche, will be making its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. As an actor, James has appeared on film, television, Off-Broadway, regional and local stages. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama. daisy3pictures.com.

Charlie Reuter (Music Director) most recently served as Associate Conductor for Dreamgirls (The Muny) starring Jennifer Holliday. Credits as Music Director include: Miss Saigon (Moonlight), The Light in the Piazza (LPT), 2011 Shakespeare Festival (The Old Globe), and Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre) for which he won a SD Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Musical Direction. Charlie is an Associate Artist with Lamb’s Players Theatre and holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University. Currently, he is developing the show Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir (La Jolla Playhouse) starring Luke Macfarlane, and later this year, will be conducting Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe).

Annette Ye (Co-Choreographer) is thrilled to be joining the Diversionary team with Pippin. Elsewhere: As You Like It, The Tempest, Groundswell, Broadway Bound (Old Globe Theatre); Zombie Prom, Octavia (San Diego State University); But Can He Dance? (Asian American Repertory Theatre)

Megan Carmitchel (Catherine) is thrilled to be making her Diversionary Theatre debut and to be working with such a talented group of people! Recent theater: Stepping Out (The Welk Theater, San Diego); The Who's Tommy (San Diego Repertory Theater); Peter Pan (Berkeley Playhouse); Chess and City of Angels (San Francisco State University). She holds her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from San Francisco State University. Thanks to James Vasquez, the Barrow family, and her boys, Patrick and Payden for their continued support.

Andy Collins (Charles) has previously been seen at Diversionary Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show, Jeffrey, Falsettos, Valhalla, The Break Up Notebook, The Daddy Machine and Twist. Elsewhere: Cabaret, The Matchmaker, My Fair Lady, Pageant (Cygnet); Gypsy, Parasite Drag (ion); The Full Monty, Bye Bye Birdie (San Diego Musical Theatre); Guys & Dolls (Lambs); Moon Over Buffalo (North Coast Rep); Oklahoma, Me And My Girl, La Cage Aux Folles (Starlight). Andy was in the first graduation class at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

Courtney Corey (Leading Player) is pleased to make her Diversionary debut. Elsewhere: Wicked (Original Los Angeles and Chicago companies), Rent (1st and 2nd National Broadway Tours), Limelight, Bonnie and Clyde, The Wiz (La Jolla Playhouse), Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (San Diego Rep), This, Lend Me A Tenor, Over The Tavern, Jacques Brel (North Coast Rep). As well as being a performer, Ms. Corey is an award-winning director and choreographer. She dedicates this and every performance to her husband, Matthew, and her son, Jack.

Tony Houck (Lewis) is proud to be back at Diversionary. Previously: Harmony, Kansas; Next Fall; [title of show]; Twist; Scrooge in Rouge; Yank!; Dear Harvey;Facts of Life: The Lost Episode; and Casa del Ha Ha. Elsewhere Cabaret(Cygnet); Mistletoe, Music, and Mayhem (North Coast Rep).

Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada) Diversionary debut! Credits include: Lucky in Dames at Sea, Don Kerr in A Chorus Line, Richard (the nice nurse) in A New Brain, Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown, Gideon in Seven Brides… and Beverly Carlton in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Abroad: 2nd National Tour of All Shook Up, Lead Singer/Dancer aboard the M/S Maasdam with Holland America Line. He holds his BFA in Musical theatre from CSU, Fullerton. He is beyond thankful for his friends and family who keep him happy, and for YOU for supporting art! “Enjoy, please.”

Wendy Maples (Berthe) is overjoyed to be on the Diversionary stage once again. Previous Diversionary credits include Fair Use and Our Gay Apparel. Elsewhere: Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (InnerMission Productions). Offstage, Wendy teaches theatre at High Tech Middle Chula Vista and is the Founder/Artistic Director of Step UP Theatre. Many thanks to the Jimmy. He knows why.

Louis Pardo (Pippin) is elated to be performing for his first show with the Diversionary Theatre and overjoyed to be back in San Diego. Theater credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar(National Tour 2008-2009),The Who's: Tommy(San Diego Rep),miXtape(Lamb's Player's, Original Cast),Avenue Q(So Cal Regional Premiere), Evita (ITL Award),All Shook Up, 25^th Annual...Spelling Bee, Altar Boys, The Full Monty, Peter Pan, Ragtime, Lucky Stiff, Camelot(Hollywood Bowl),The Weathermen(La Jolla Playhouse reading). Thanks to my family and friends for all that they deal with. A special thanks to Courtney, Stephie and Cole."You can't have "no" in your heart" - Joe Dirt.

Hunter Schwarz (Theo) is thrilled to be making his Diversionary Theatre debut in this season’s production of Pippin. Elsewhere: Altar Boyz (Diversionary Cabaret); Kiss Me, Kate, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chess, and Bat Boy: The Musical (Canyon Crest Academy). He would like to thank all his friends and family for helping him get to this point.

Sean Fanning (Set Designer) At Diversionary: Harmony, Kansas. The Old Globe: Plaid Tidings, KINGDOM. Cygnet Theatre: (Resident Artist) Man of La Mancha, Parade, Dirty Blonde, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Sweeney Todd, Noises Off, Mauritius, A Christmas Carol, The Receptionist, A Little Night Music, The Matchmaker. Elsewhere: Walter Cronkite is Dead (San Diego Rep), A Raisin in the Sun (Moxie Theatre),Twelfth Night, The Winter’s Tale, Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Old Globe/USD); Zombie Prom (2008 Patte Award), The Grapes of Wrath (San Diego State University). He is in his fifth season as the Resident Design Assistant at the Old Globe, where he has assisted designers on over sixty productions. Sean holds an M.F.A. in Scene Design from San Diego State University.

Shirley Pierson (Costume Designer) For Diversionary Theatre: Harmony Kansas, Next Fall. Selected San Diego Theatre: Parade, Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Private Lives, It’s a Wonderful Life (09, 10, 11), History Boys, A Christmas Carol, Cygnet Theatre; Into the Woods, New Village Arts; Holiday Memories, Scripps Ranch Theatre; Richard III, Old Globe/University of San Diego. Elsewhere: The Amazing Food Detective, Drumming up Peace, Zip’s Great Day, Someone Like Me, Jay and E on the Zig Zag Sea, Kaiser Foundation Educational Theatre Program. Awards include a KPBS Patte Award for Theater Excellence, Outstanding Costume Design; The Irving Parker Award for Excellence in Theatre Arts; and The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Region VIII, Costume Design in Production Award. Shirley is a faculty member of the Performing Arts Department at Palomar College. She received her MFA in Theatrical Design from San Diego State University.

Luke Olson (Lighting Design) is very excited to be back at Diversionary forPippin! Previous work at Diversionary Theatre includesthe lighting forYou Gotta Get a GimmickandDance/Theatre, and the projection designs forLearn To Be LatinaandPoster Boys. Other local lighting credits includeA Raisin In The Sun(Moxie Theatre),Malashock RAW/2(Malashock Dance),Peace Of Courage(TranscenDANCE);YuleTubeandOle! Ole! Ole!(San Diego Gay Men's Chorus);HallowedandAmerican Idyll(Playwrights Project);Faces of Love(Opera Neo);Hunters TrilogyandWhen Strangers Meet(San Diego Dance Theatre). He has an MFA from San Diego State University.

David Medina (Properties Design) is proud to be an Associate Artist at Diversionary: Harmony, Kansas, The Pride, Speech & Debate, The Marriage Bed, Twist, The Little Dog Laughed, Facing East, Scrooge In Rouge, Corpus Christi, The Daddy Machine. Other At Diversionary: When Pigs Fly (Asst. Scenic), Busy World Is Hushed (Asst. Scenic) Bluebonnet Court (set construction); ion Theatre: Cripple of Inishman (Prop Asst.) Bang productions: Sideman; USD: Cabaret, The Saints Plays. David has worked for the Old Globe Theatre on over 80 shows as a Properties Buyer, Craftsperson & Artisan.

Kevin Anthenill (Sound/Projection Design) Sound designed San Diego Repertory Theatre's Zoot Suit. As well as composed the music for Boom and In the Next Room. Sound Design Credits include San Diego Asian American Repertory Theater's BFE, and Flower Drum Song, at the La Jolla Playhouse, As well as the USD MFA program's A Winters Tale and 12th night at The Old Globe Theatre, Diversionary Theatre's Edward II, Learn to be Latina, Next Fall, and Harmony, Kansas, and Moxie Theatre's A Raisin in the Sun. He has been the Sound Design Assistant for The Old Globe's Summer Shakespeare Festival twice, and worked with The Old Globe's education department sound designing their Summer Shakespeare Intensive three times. He Holds a B.A. in Theater Design from San Diego State University.

Chandra R.M. Anthenill (Stage Manager) San Diego Repertory Theatre (Assistant Stage Manager): In the Next Room aka The Vibrator Play, Tommy, Walter Cronkite is Dead ,A Hammer A Bell and A Song to Sing, Tortilla Curtain, Zoot Suit. San Diego Asian American Repertory Theatre (Stage Manager): B.F.E. San Diego State University (Stage Manager): Desire Under the Elms, Good Person of Szechwan, A Midsummer Nights Dream. Diversionary Theatre (Scenic Painter): Next Fall, The Pride, Harmony Kansas. Chandra holds a B.A. in Design and Technology for Theatre from SDSU.

Press Photos


Courtney Core (Leading Player), Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada), Tony Houck (Lewis) and Andy Collins (Charles) in Diversionary's production of Pippin. ©Ken Jacques	Courtney Corey (Leading Player), Hunter Schwarz (Theo) and Wendy Maples (Berthe) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ken Jacques

Courtney Corey (Leading Player) and Louis Pardo (Pippin) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ken Jacques	Megan Carmitchel (Catherine), Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada), Tony Houck (Lewis), Courtney Corey (Leading Player), Andy Collins (Charles), Hunter Schwarz (Theo), Wendy Maples (Berthe) and Louis Pardo (Pippin) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ken Jacques

Louis Pardo (Pippin), Hunter Schwarz(Theo), Megan Carmitchel (Catherine) and Courtney Corey (Leading Player) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ken Jacques	Wendy Maples (Berthe), Megan Carmitchel (Catherine), Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada), Louis Pardo (Pippin), Courtney Corey (Leading Player), Hunter Schwarz (Theo) and Tony Houck (Lewis) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ken Jacques

Megan Carmitchel (Catherine), Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada), Tony Houck (Lewis), Courtney Corey (Leading Player), Hunter Schwarz (Theo), Andy Collins (Charles), and Wendy Maples (Berthe) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ken Jacques	Courtney Corey (Leading Player), Wendy Maples (Berthe), Andy Collins (Charles),Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada), Tony Houck (Lewis), Megan Carmitchel (Catherine), Louis Pardo (Pippin), Hunter Schwarz (Theo) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ana Pines

James Vasquez (Director), Tony Houck (Lewis), Wendy Maples (Berthe), Courtney Corey (Leading Player), Andy Collins (Charles), Luke H. Jacobs (Fastrada), Megan Carmitchel (Catherine), Hunter Schwarz (Theo), Louis Pardo (Pippin) in Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Ana Pines	Courtney Corey (Leading Player) in Diversionary's production of Pippin

Louis Pardo(Pippin) in Diversionary's production of Pippin	James Vasquez (Director) and Courtney Corey (Lead Player) in Diversionary's production of Pippin

Courtney Corey (Leading Player) in Diversionary's production of Pippin

Press Release

Contact: John Alexander 619-220-6830 jalexander@diversionary.org
Kim Rescate krescate@diversionary.org

DIVERSIONARY'S PIPPIN OPENS SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 - September 13, 2012

DIVERSIONARY ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY MUSICAL JOURNEY PIPPIN
- August 8, 2012
 

Reviews

NC Times, Pam Kragen says:
“Pardo and Corey are both powerhouse singers and they lead a strong ensemble of actor/singer/dancers in a show that's filled with colorful detail, imaginative choreography and exceptionally well-sung solos.”

“thoroughly impressed by the production's concept, musical direction, singing and passion.”

U-T San Diego, James Hebert says:
"Charlie Reuter’s stripped-down approach injects some welcome edge to the score, and the musicians’ performances sparkle"

“Vasquez choreographs with pizazz”

StageSceneLA, Steven Stanley says:
“Vocally, this is as strong a cast as you’re ever likely to see, and they are eight snappy dancers to boot, Vasquez assisted by Annette Ye for the show’s striking choreography.”

“For those who may not have seen Pippin before, this is an exciting and absolutely unique introduction to the Stephen Schwartz classic. For theatergoers like this one who’ve seen Pippin a half-dozen or more times before, this is a revival unlike any other, and one that is not to be missed.”

San Diego CityBeat, David L. Coddon says:

"the steady presence of Courtney Corey as Leading Player, the outrageousness of Luke Jacobs in cross-dress and ambitious choreography are definite assets"

San Diego Reader, Jeff Smith says:

“Pippin's part of an exciting trend in San Diego theater…gain[ing] an intimacy that's genuinely appealing.”

This n That


Sketches for Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Shirley Pierson	Sketches for Diversionary's production of Pippin ©Shirley Pierson