Will Gavin Creel Make Magic in a Broadway Pippin Revival?

Will Gavin Creel head back to Broadway in the the first-ever revival of Pippin? After a successful reading, starring Creel in the title role, it looks like Tony-nominated director Diane Paulus will reunite with her Hair headliner for a Broadway production of the Stephen Schwartz tuner during the 2012-2013 season.

The reading, which was presented by producers Barry and Fran Weissler, also featured Natalie Cortez as Catherine, Jayne Houdyshell as the Old Lady and Tracie Thoms as the Leading Player (a role traditionally played by a man). Paulus hopes to do a workshop of the musical in New York next year followed by a full-scale production at Cambridge's ART (where she is artistic director) before bringing the show to Broadway. 

Pippin tells the story of a young prince who flees his kingdom, but returns to take down his tyrant father.

Featuring a score by Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson and the late Bob Fosse, Pippin opened on Broadway on October 18, 1972 at the Imperial Theatre. John Rubinstein lead the cast which featured Ben Vereen, Irene Ryan and Jill Clayburgh. After transferring to the Minskoff Theatre in 1977, the show closed after 1944 performances. The musical received 11 Tony nominations, including Best Musical with Ben Vereen taking home the Best Actor trophy, and Fosse winning for his direction and choreography.

The revival will feature Sept Doigts, a Montreal-based group of acrobats, as the show's wandering troupe of actors. Original book writer Hirson is expected to update the musical's script. No official casting has been announced.