Pippin

Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse also contributed to the libretto. The show was based on the life of Pippin the Hunchback, the son of Charlemagne. The show was partially financed by Motown Records.

The show premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theater on October 23, 1972 and ran for 1,944 performances before closing on June 12, 1977. It was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. As of April 2009, Pippin is the 29th longest-running Broadway show.

Set in the dazzling court of the 8th Century Holy Roman Emperor, Pippin is the story of Prince Pippin’s quest to find personal significance. The Leading Player who is blessed with the gift of magic narrates the story. Pippin traverses through the trials of war, love, and politics before finding himself out amongst the peasants – away from the wealth and privilege of royal life. He ends up falling in love with a good widow, Catherine. In the end, the Leading Player tries to convince Pippin to just commit suicide. Pippin resists and decides to spend the rest of his life with Catherine and her young son.