The journey to discover one's purpose in life is a long adventure. As Pippin, the son of Charlemagne, tries to find his purpose through war, sex, and politics, he stumbles upon love, which ultimately fulfills his empty heart. All the elements from the music and choreography to the set design make this production a success. Pippin is a marvelous, heroic, musical drama that has elements of humor that shows disconnect between the imaginary and reality, as well as a reoccurring theme of family reunification.
The production starts out with dimmed lights and the pit orchestra playing. Hands slowly come through the fading darkness like a magic show. Eventually, Ben Vereen's face appears almost as if it is an "appearing" act of a magic show; which fits perfectly with the opener, "Magic to Do", played throughout the beginning part of the first act. As “Magic to Do” is played, the lights gradually brighten more and the characters appear fully dressed with sparkly, peach colored costumes with faces painted with heavy makeup. Vereen also is fully seen in a tux and top hat as the narrator and as the lead player. This role is an integral driving force for both the play and as Pippin’s influence to find his way in life. The background scenery and the lighting changes simultaneously as well and Pippin, played by William Katt, appears on stage dressed with a normal chain like top and tights.
Other characters are introduced throughout the play one by one; this creates a build-up of different levels of plot and character tension. The more characters the more drama and suspense as each character adds more to the storyline. For example, first the lead player, Vereen, and the other fictional players that are presumably “in” Pippin’s head are intro...
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...n maybe could be played by another person in the background, and let Vereen concentrate on his leader role. With more narration in between scenes as well as acts, this will serve as a bridge so the audience can fully understand what is happening. Another element to add is more historical background on Charlemagne. This could have been included in the narration as only a short background was presented. On a brighter note, the costumes reflected the roles of the characters and that the characters connected the story through song; music is incorporated in the performance perfectly, not to mention the humor and comedic relief to some tragic parts. The candor of Pippin’s discovery of what is truly meaningful to his heart is a great ending and gives a warm-fuzzy feeling to the audience. This musical is most worthwhile and contains all the elements of a great production.
From the scene set up to the clothes each actor wore it was all very impressing. The scene set up was a beauty shop and was extremely accurate and realistic. The play had four scenes and each scene was a different season. For each season the “beauty shop” was filled with props. In December it was filled with Christmas trees and ornaments. The clothes each actor wore fit each character’s personality. For example, Annelle was seen as very quirky and always would wear “dorky” clothes. The use of spectacle in this play left no room for imagination because they had everything layer out for
The production had many elements which for the most part formed a coalition to further the plot. The characters, the three part scenery and costumes represented well the period of time these people were going through. As far as the performers entering and exiting the stage, it could have been more organized. There were a few times when the performers exited at the wrong times or it seemed so due to the echo of the music. At certain moments the music was slightly loud and drowned the performers. Many of the songs dragged on, so the pacing could have been more effectively executed. Though the music was off at times, the director's decision to have most of the songs performed center sage was a wise one. Also the implementation of actual white characters that were competent in their roles came as a great surprise to the audience and heightened the realism.
One of its numerous strengths was the costuming and set. This musical would not have been the same had these elements not come together to transport the viewer. In addition to the costuming and the set, the actors were very well cast. Each actor was in a role that fit them and they portrayed their characters very well. For example, the man who played Glen really seemed like a greedy Wall Street worker. The choreography was also well done. It fit true to the style of dance in the 1980s and added to the immersion experience. The only thing that could have made this experience better would be to add more music. This may just be a personal preference, but when I see a musical I like for the music to be central like it is in Hamilton or Les Miserables. However, this musical was very good and not much could be added to enhance the
A significant aspect of the play is the acting and wardrobe, because it helps demonstrate the personalities of the characters.
In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, the author begins the tale by revealing Pip's arrogance towards previous companions. By the end of the story, we learn of Pip's love and compassion for everyone.
Pip, through spending time with Estella, quickly picks up the desire for social improvement through games, whether physical or emotional, and it is not until he realizes the difference between fantasy and reality that he truly understands the game of life. Just as Estella uses card games to torment Pip, telling him that he is “a common labouring boy” Pip unknowingly begins to see every human interaction as a competition (Volume I, Chapter 8). His physical fight with Herbert represents Pip’s gradual addiction to always winning, never stopping until others are defeated. Pip takes his early, innocent ambition to improve himself and, without even realizing it himself, turns it into a ruthless fight for revenge. Parkinson argues that he sees “the role of chance” influencing his life, forcing himself to submit to whatever life throws at him (Parkinson, 121). Soon, however, Pip becomes the one who forces others, including Joe and Biddy, to simply accept his desire to become an “uncommon” gentleman through his unfailing faith in the wealthy (Volume I, Chapter 8). The problem is not his “fairy-tale expectations,” but his admiration in the wrong people; though he looks up to Miss...
as it was the norm in those days and he was taught to except it. It
Everyone in life struggles to live up to what others and society expects them to be in life, the next Harvard Graduate, or the next new celebrity. But, these expectations can begin to define a person if he believes he has to conform to society's expectations. In Charles Dickens novel "Great Expectations", young Pip feels the pressure from society and his love, Estella, to become a gentleman. By attempting to rise in his social class Pip then abandons his previous good morals and his family members when he moves to London. Each character has aspirations for Pip which he believes he must fulfill in order to succeed in life. He also sets expectations for his friends and family and becomes disappointed when they do not meet his aspirations. The pressure from all the characters and the pressure he puts on others eventually diminish Pip's ideals, because he believes that he must please everyone. These Great Expectations pressured on Pip define the storyline of the novel and the progression of each character. Therefore, In Charles Dicken's novel "Great Expectations", the title plays a significant role due to Pip's struggle with the fact he cannot live for himself, but rather is focused on living up to standards placed on him and others.
Pip, in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, is an idealist. Whenever he envisions something greater than what he already has, he passionately desires to obtain the improvement and better himself. In the Victorian Era, as an underprivileged orphan though, dreams are often easier dreamt than accomplished. Pip however, has an instinctive ambitious drive. His unstoppable willpower, plus the benefit of a benefactor, elevates him from the bottom, to the top of the social, educational, and moral food chain in the Victorian Era.
Throughout Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, the character, personality, and social beliefs of Pip undergo complete transformations as he interacts with an ever-changing pool of characters presented in the book. Pip’s moral values remain more or less constant at the beginning and the end; however, it is evident that in the time between, the years of his maturation and coming of adulthood, he is fledgling to find his place in society. Although Pip is influenced by many characters throughout the novel, his two most influential role models are: Estella, the object of Miss Havisham’s revenge against men, and Magwitch, the benevolent convict. Exposing himself to such diverse characters Pip has to learn to discern right from wrong and chose role models who are worthy of the title.
influenced by various people. Pip experiences tough times as a boy and a young man, but at the end he has
As Pip grows throughout the novel, he develops and matures from a naive, young boy to a moral gentleman by the three main stages that take place throughout his life.
In order to make more money Pip’s uncle sends Pip to a psychotic old lady’s house named Mrs. Havisham. Mrs. Havisham is a mean and nasty character who constantly bickers at Pip and tells him of his unimportance. Pip continues to be mild mannered and respectful to Mrs. Havisham yet he begins to see that he will never get ahead in life just being nice. Mrs. Havisham uses Pip as sort of a guinea pig to take out her passion of revenge against men. She does this by using her daughter, Estella to torment Pip.
Pip is able to mend his ways of life and return to his good-natured self, more mature as result of his experience. His discovery that his wealth came from convict and not Miss Havisham dissolve in the realization that things are not as he had thought. He learns that all his aspirations have been based on false assumptions and expectations that he could rise above his past. His great expectations were derived from a criminal who wanted Pip to have a better life than himself. He was not becoming a gentleman for Estella, but rather a gentleman for his own sake. He discovers that true wealth and worth come from inside a man and turns away from his once great expectations.
As a bildungsroman, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations presents the growth and development of Philip Pirrip, better known as Pip. Pip is both the main character in the story and the narrator, telling his tale many years after the events take place. Pip goes from being a young boy living in poverty in the marsh country of Kent, to being a gentleman of high status in London. Pip’s growth and maturation in Great Expectations lead him to realize that social status is in no way related to one’s real character.