Diane Paulus to Direct Pippin at American Repertory Theater

Tony nominee Diane Paulus will helm a new revival of Pippin at Cambridge's American Repertory Theater in December. Gypsy Snider (Traces) will serve as the production’s choreographer. Paulus directed a Broadway-aimed reading of the hit Stephen Schwartz tuner in 2010, starring her Hair leading man Gavin Creel. No casting or exact production dates have been set.

Pippin, the Charlemagne-inspired story of a prince who leaves his kingdom but returns to fight his tyrannical father, originally opened on Broadway on October 18, 1972 at the Imperial Theatre. Featuring songs by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson, the original production was nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Ben Vereen received a Tony Award for Best Actor for his work as the Leading Player, and Bob Fosse took home trophies for his direction and choreography. The original Broadway production also starred Irene Ryan and Jill Clayburgh, in addition to John Rubenstein in the title role.

Paulus, who serves as the artistic director for the American Repertory Theater, staged a revised production of Porgy and Bess at A.R.T. before it transferred to Broadway. She earned a Tony nod for her direction of the 2009 revival of Hair.