Brian Whisenant (Photo by Leva Radina)
Reviewed by Socks Whitmore
Hollywood Fringe/Jaxx Theatricals
Through July 13
There’s magic to do this week at the Jaxx Theatre, as Jaxx Theatricals joins the Hollywood Fringe Festival lineup with their latest production, Pippin (Hollywood Forever!): a Tinseltown reimagining of the classic Stephen Schwartz musical.
In the original script, a performance troupe acts out a fictional tale about the first son of King Charlemagne, Pippin, and his ongoing search for fulfillment and purpose. Director & choreographer Jeremy Lucas adds his own original sexy showbiz flavor by styling the troupe as the cast and crew of a fantastical film production, sprinkled with character nods to famous figures like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Small projected title cards add to this Hollywood lens, while a silent cameraman circles Pippin searching for the best shot. The direction also intentionally queers the narrative through dialogue and casting, leaning into the show’s native fantasticality and campiness, and draws parallels between Pippin’s story and modern politics. The film production elements tie in well with certain themes around the search for glory and freedom but their exact translation is a bit unclear, particularly at critical points like the finale where Pippin’s actor is encouraged to light himself on fire with a bottle of pills.
Though the tech needed some more troubleshooting during opening night, the mighty ensemble still delivered impressive physical feats and delightful costume changes without fail. The large cast fills the space of the Jaxx and at times feel almost cramped in the intimately sized venue. Much of the show is staged on an elevated platform and the narrow aisles surrounding it, with actors frequently moving among the audience on the ground. Attendees are given the opportunity upon check-in to don a masquerade mask indicating they are open to being interacted with by performers. Everyone is also asked to cover their phone camera with a sticker to protect actor privacy during scenes with nudity. (though nothing extraordinarily scandalous happens on stage during these few scenes — the most outrageous venereal element in the show is the vaguely implied incest between Pip’s stepmother Fastrada and her son Lewis.)
The choreography is dripping with sexual tension, peaking when Pippin has a series of pansexual flings at what appears to be a sex club or dungeon. The costumes are fabulous to the point of distraction; the glittered beards, rhinestone-covered arms, and striking garters continue a creative trend from Jaxx’s Chess of bedazzled theater fashion, though Pippin’s translucent white lace boxers are perhaps not the right kind of eye-catching. This version of Pippin is definitely for grown-ups only.
The youngest person in the room is 6-year-old Judah Avery Young making his stage debut in the role of Theo, the son of Catherine (played by his real-life mother Kara M. Young). The rest of the cast includes a number of Jaxx veterans as well as several new faces. Brian Whisenant displays distinctly peculiar mannerisms as King Charlemagne (AKA “Charles”), perhaps an homage to certain present-day despots. Jacob Walters as Pippin and Cierra Watkins as the Leading Player both have moments of vocal brilliance, but then falter — with increased breath support and consistency, their voices could have great potential.
Jaxx Theatricals/Hollywood Fringe at The Jaxx Theatre, 5432 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Fri., July 11 and Sun., July 13, 8 pm.; thru July 13. www.Showclix.com/Event/Jaxx-Pippin. Runtime: 2 hrs with one intermission
