NEXERA Creates Magic With Pippin

The Department of Theatre and Dance at California State University, Fullerton had some "Magic To Do" when they decided to take on the production of Pippin. The story of a young Prince Pippin (son of Charlemagne) and his struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood has been delighting audiences since its 1972 Tony Award-winning Broadway debut.

This hip, surrealistic musical is a favorite of directors, with a pop-inspired score by Stephen Schwartz, and anachronistic scenes involving a manipulative Leading Player and a traveling troupe that plays out Pippin's life for him. Since the troupe's sequences can be interpreted and shown in so many ways, it isn't likely to see the same production twice.

Cal State Fullerton took it one step further, taking the story from the time of King Charlemagne to 1969, with a Woodstock-inspired set designed by Ann Sheffield. When it came to lighting, Debra Lockwood, award-winning lighting designer and CSUF's Production Manager, decided to use Wybron's Nexera dichroic color mixing fixtures to create the range of vibrant color she needed to complete the look.

"Our production of Pippin was indeed visually influenced by Woodstock. It was not a literal copy of the stage but Woodstock served as the main reference for all the design elements. The director, James Taulli, asked us to create a world where a traveling troupe of players could decide to do their show. The designs were all influenced by the Woodstock stage," she commented. When asked about her approach to the lighting design, Debra said, "It was very colorful and a lot of fun to design. The Nexeras were a perfect choice to achieve the variety in color that I was looking for to represent the colorful 1960s."

Without giving the story away, just know that this visual spectacle is a must see, involving one show-stopping song after another and even audience participation. It strives to be more of a vivid experience than just a show, and Cal State Fullerton definitely succeeded.

For more information about the Theatre and Dance program at Cal State Fullerton, visit www.fullerton.edu/arts/theatredance/.

*Photos by Edwin Lockwood