The colorful, circus-themed journey of "Pippin," set during medieval times, will debut on The Elbert Theatre stage as the first show of the 2024 Encore Productions season Friday, March 15.
“Pippin” is the story of one young man’s journey to be extraordinary, according to the show synopsis.
Erik Frye, who will take the stage as Pippin himself, said the story line follows the namesake at the beginning of his adult life as he "tries to figure out what he wants to do and what he wants to explore."
“Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great),” according to the show synopsis. “In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.”
"He really wants to be fulfilled in life, so he tries all sorts of different things," Frye said. "Pippin quickly learns that through the different experiences that he has that life is not as fulfilling as he had hoped."
Frye, a young adult himself, said he can relate to the character's experiences.
"I don't feel like I'm as whiny, but I can understand the place where he's at and trying to figure things out for his own life and for my own," Frye said. "Because of all that, it feels very natural for me to slip into all that."
A story of "kingdoms, kings and queens and battles," the musical is directed by Sam and Bree Brown.
The cast includes Erik Frye as Pippin, Rendarris Gaines as Leading Player, Bob Paul as King Charles, Bree Brown as Fastrada, Paula McClure as Berthe, Lana Stelter as Catherine, Sam Brown as Lewis, Parker Jenkins as Theo, Conley Chatham as dance captain/ensemble and Hannah Carey, Cammie Fulbright, Ace Heaton, Olivia Heaton, Jay Moss, Madison Turner and Latayron Williams as the ensemble.
While Sam Brown said this is the smallest cast for a musical he and Bree have directed, all of the actors are like family and have come in ready to work during each rehearsal.
"I love working with all the people that I've gotten to work with – the people that I have already known from previous shows as well as the people – whether they're new to here or this is the first time that I've gotten to work with them – everyone is very kind and ready to work," Frye said.
Frye and Gaines, who grew up together in Hart County and were both groomsmen in the Browns' wedding, will play off of each other as the two leads of the show.
"I've really enjoyed being with everybody," Bree Brown said. "I think my favorite part of this show is finally getting to see Ren in a big role because he has played a side character, a dancer, so many times. He's truly so talented. I'm so excited to get to see him and Erik play off of each other because we got to see them grow up."
Performances will begin Friday, March 15 and be held through Sunday, March 17. A second weekend will be held Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24 as “Pippin” premieres on The Elbert Theatre stage.
Performances will be onstage Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in The Elbert Theatre located at 100 S. Oliver St.
Tickets for performances are $12 in advance, $9 for students/groups and $17 at the door.
This show is rated PG-13 for adult themes.
All seating for Encore performances is reserved.
Please call The Elbert Theatre office at 706-213-3109 or email tking@cityofelberton.net to reserve tickets or for more information.
Tickets are also available online at bigtickets.com/events/elbert-theatre/.
Frye said while the message of the show is important for young adults, it will also be reminiscent for older generations and those who have "figured out the message in their own life."
Sam and Bree Brown said while the musical certainly holds true to "bright and happy themes," it has a darker side that they hope audiences will enjoy and appreciate.
"It also kind of delves deep and kind of makes you sad and uncomfortable," Sam Brown said. "I usually pick a bright happy something all the time, but I think this is great. It's very, very funny."
"This is truly unlike anything we've ever done before. It's so fun, it's bright, it's happy, but it also has a sense of darkness that just is so cool," Bree Brown added. "I think that people will enjoy it because it's so different."