Patina Miller Eyes Role of Leading Player in Pippin at A.R.T.

Tony nominee Patina Miller (Sister Act) may play the Leading Player in a previously announced revival of Pippin at American Repertory Theater, according to The New York Times. The show will first have a developmental workshop this summer, followed by a production in December. A.R.T artistic director Diane Paulus, who previously directed Miller in Hair, will helm the show, which is reportedly already aiming for a Broadway berth. The closed-door workshop will run from July 30 through August 19, before opening at the Cambridge theater on December 5 and playing through January 20.

In addition to Miller, the cast will also likely feature Damon Daunno as Pippin, with real-life married couple Terence Mann and Charlotte d’Amboise as King Charles and his wife Fastrada, respectively.

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.

As previously announced, this revival of Pippin revival is a collaboration between Tony nominee Paulus (Porgy and Bess) and the Montreal circus company Sept Doigts, the group behind off-Broadway spectacle Traces. An earlier workshop of the production featured Gavin Creel, Tracie Thoms, Jayne Houdyshell and more.