PIPPIN (Revival)

Spring '26 Musical

PIPPIN 
Book by ROGER O. HIRSON
Music & Lyrics STEPHEN SCHWARTZ 
Directed by Dr. Larissa Kelloway
Music Director Jon Gallo
Choreographer Rogelio Lopez

In-person performance dates in LeFevre Theatre
(Click on the links below to take you to the ticket purchasing page):
Thursday, April 16, 8:00 pm
Friday, April 17, 4:00 pm
Saturday, April 18, 8:00 pm (Pre-show reception for Performing Arts alumni, donors, supporters, and parents in the "Multi-Purpose" dance studio next to the bookstore 6pm-7:30pm. Choose the ticket option that says that includes the reception and 8pm performance.)
Saturday, April 25, 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 26, 2:00 pm
Tickets limited – reserve early

E-tickets: $8 SMC Seminar Students; $10 SMC students; $15 SMC faculty and staff, non-SMC students; $20 general (plus ticketing fees at the door and online). 

Students who have applied to SMC for Fall '26 and current juniors in high school considering SMC can reserve a complimentary ticket through this link. Complimentary tickets are limited and should be reserved early due to some shows potentially being sold out.

Purchase tickets online using the links above at least 24 hours prior to performance. A limited number of tickets are available at the Box Office 30 minutes before curtain.  Group tickets, ADA, or other information: call Tara at 925-631-4670 or email at tms8@stmarys-ca.edu

Parking: Follow the directions for paying for parking (50 cents per hour) in the Soda Center parking lot (across De La Salle Dr.) via text and credit card on the signs in the parking lot. Text 77447 and indicate "SMC" as the lot when prompted.

Run Time: About 2 hours plus a 15 minute intermission with concessions for sale.

Content Warning: Some content (strong language, simulation of adult content) may not be suitable for young children. Please note a strobe light is used in part of the production.

PIPPIN Press Release 

The Saint Mary's College Theatre Program is proud to announce our upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning musical PIPPIN, with music and lyrics by Broadway luminary Stephen Schwartz, the composer of WICKED, and a book by Roger O. Hirson and Bob Fosse. Our version of PIPPIN will use a contemporary “ripped from the headlines” story to explore themes of family dynasty and succession, presenting the messy family dynamics of a media mogul who is known for pitting sibling against sibling, succumbing to the machinations of a manipulative spouse, and whose resistance to passing on his legacy ultimately divides the family.

Distinguished guest artist Dr. Larissa Kelloway (she/her) directs our production. She is a conservatory-trained performer, performing arts teacher, and researcher, and a member of the faculty at A.C.T. Conservatory in San Francisco; she has many acting, teaching and directing credits to her name, both here and in her native Australia. Joining Dr. Kelloway as artistic leaders of the production are noted Bay Area Musical Director Jon Gallo (he/him), and Saint Mary’s faculty member Professor Rogelio Lopez Garcia (he/him) as choreographer. 

Together, the highly accomplished artistic team will direct an ensemble of talented Saint Mary’s students. Economics major and student-athlete Noah Miller (he/him) stars as Pippin, the initially naive and innocent, yet ultimately discontented, scion of a wealthy empire. Pippin’s charming and manipulative lawyer, the Leading Player, will be portrayed by Melody Ng (she/her), a senior Politics and Theatre double major. Computer Science major Aidan Kiernan (he/him) plays Pippin’s domineering, destructive, distant, yet demanding father, Charles. Pippin’s scheming stepmother, Fastrada, and his dim-bulb half-brother, Lewis, are played by Liliana Canchola (she/her) and Anya Tang (he/they), respectively. The graceful and elegant widow Catherine, Pippin’s love interest, is played by senior Kate Conti (she/her), while Catherine’s child Theo is portrayed by Bianca Langlois (she/her). Rounding out the ensemble as C-suite executives, underlings, consultants, and corporate survivors are Erin Brady (she/her), Bruno (they/he), Tyra Fleming (she/her), Julia Peterson (she/her), Amber Spinetta (she/her), and Amy Unruh (she/her). Senior Justice, Community and Leadership (MSTE) major Lance Fiss (he/him) will serve as Assistant Director, and Media Production and Theatre double-major Carolyn Gersten (she/her) is the Stage Manager, the backstage binding force and unsung hero behind any theatrical production. Eagle-eyed viewers should also stay alert for a special appearance by the Chair of the Expressive and Performing Arts Division, Professor Dana Lawton (she/her), in a sassy and wise cameo appearance. 

PIPPIN is about the human desire to find identity, meaning and life’s purpose. Born into a family of privilege and wealth, the musical of PIPPIN starts as the title character returns home from completing his university education, full of knowledge and passion, ready to take on the world. The only problem is, he doesn't know how or what he wants. Add to the mix a domineering, detached, and destructive father; a manipulative, ambitious stepmother with an ulterior motive; a conniving and dumb sibling with an agenda; and a besotted grandmother who can’t quite fathom she’s old -– and what results is deception, deceit and despair. Pippin needs salvation. Follow Pippin as he seeks approval, tries things out, trips up, succeeds, fails, and nearly gives up — but eventually finds his way to happiness and contentment.

Originally produced on the Broadway stage by Stuart Ostrow 
Originally directed on the Broadway stage by Bob Fosse
2013 Broadway revival directed by Diane Paulus 
Theo Ending Originally Conceived In 1998 by Mitch Sebastian