ORADELL, N.J.—Bergen County Players, one of America’s longest-running little theater companies, is proud to open its 87th season with the four-time Tony Award-winning musical “Pippin.”
Under the direction of Ellyn Essig, “Pippin” will be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from Sept. 14 through Oct. 12. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at bcplayers.org, by calling (201) 261-4200, or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.
This coming of age musical tells the story of Pippin (Tom Kiely), a young prince and heir to the throne of Charlemagne, who longs for passion and adventure in his life. The musical uses the premise of a magical and mysterious troupe of performers, led by the charismatic Leading Player (Kimberly Olson Bunker), to chronicle Pippin’s quest.
With the encouragement of the Leading Player, Pippin explores the glories of war, the temptations of love, and the intrigues of political power before discovering that happiness lies not in the extraordinary but in the ordinary moments that happen every day.
Filled with wondrous magical feats and sizzling choreography, “Pippin” boasts a book by Roger O. Hirson and an unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theater giant Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell”). It features songs that have become Broadway standards, including “Magic to Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” “Glory,” “No Time at All,” “Morning Glow” and “Love Song.”
The original production of “Pippin” opened on Broadway in 1972 under the direction of Bob Fosse and played for nearly 2,000 performances.
Director Ellyn Essig of Cliffside Park is a Life Member of Bergen County Players. She received the 2018 Perry Award for Outstanding Production of a Play for her direction of “Steel Magnolias.”
“Pippin was a record that never left my turntable,” says Essig. “This show is sure to captivate a wide range of audiences with its unforgettable music, dazzling choreography, and universal storytelling.”
The talented cast includes Kimberly Olson Bunker of Hackensack as Leading Player, Tom Kiely of Allendale as Pippin, Mark Bogosian of Tenafly as Charlemagne, Elaine Thoman of Ridgewood as Fastrada, Dan Loverro of Parsippany as Lewis, Carol Fisher of Teaneck as Bertha, Candice Belina of Paramus as Catherine, and Alex Cafe of Emerson as Theo.
Other members of the company include Elisabeth Erdmann of Nutley, Jenna Stewart of River Vale, Cassandra Barckett of Little Falls, Angelina Aragona of Washington Township, Eric Holzer of Montclair, Eitan Hiller of Teaneck, and Aaron Correa of River Vale.
Performances are at The Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949. Tickets are $25. Group sales are available.
BCP’s popular Questions & Artists talkback session will be held following the performance on Friday, Sept. 20.
A new program is now available for qualified non-profit organizations to use one performance of each production as a fundraising event. The group will book all 200 seats at a deeply discounted price and then resell the tickets at a price of their choosing, with the difference in price kept by the group. The available date is the Thursday of each show’s final weekend.
Interested groups can email fundraising@bcplayers.org for more information.
Parking is free for all patrons at the Park Avenue municipal lot, across the street, one-half block north of the theater, as well as street parking on Kinderkamack Road and various side streets, all within easy walking distance.
Photo courtesy Alan Zenreich
