Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) Theater Department performed the challenging, acrobatically demanding musical “Pippin,” underwritten by Storage Rentals of America. The department had four sold-out shows at the Fern Street Theater from April 30 to May 2.
A Search for Meaning
“Pippin,” the musical, was created by Stephen Schwartz in 1972 and has won multiple Tony and Fosse awards. The plot follows a band of circus performers as they tell the story of a young prince, Pippin, who searches for the meaning of life. The character is loosely based on the son of Charlemagne, the king of the Holy Roman Empire. Pippin seeks to forge his own legacy to match his father’s, pursuing this through war, love, and revolution. At the end of the musical, though, Pippin realizes that the meaning of life isn’t in one grand accomplishment but instead in the everyday joys of an ordinary life.
“Rivers belong where they can ramble,” says Pippin. “Eagles belong where they can fly. I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free. Gotta find my corner of the sky.”
“Pippin” features many fast-paced musical numbers that drive its plot, demanding not only top-notch belting but also synchronized choreography. Throughout the musical, actors performed a variety of stunts, including headstands, cartwheels, and complex lifts.
A Biblical Connection
PBA Professor and Chair of the Theatre and Cinematic Arts Department Allen McCoy directed the show. To McCoy, “Pippin” echoes lessons originally taught in Ecclesiastes. He notes that the scripture continuously mentions “wind” when describing the empty desires of this world that people choose to pursue. Like the unwise in Ecclesiastes, Pippin chases the wind, looking for meaning in everything that comes along. However, he also ends up empty-handed every time he tries to grasp at some grand purpose for his life.
This is a similar theme to one in Ecclesiastes 2:11, which states, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
The reason chasing these earthly sources of gratification never leads to fulfillment is that following Christ is life’s ultimate purpose, McCoy says. He notes that wealth, fame, and fortune are just blessings from God, not desires that should be put before him. The little joys of a Christian’s life as they walk with God give their story meaning and serve as a testimony to others.
The Future Christians of Theater
The PBA students involved in the production are using their own blessing of artistic talent as a testimony to others. As part of the cast, crew, and front-of-house, they work to create an engaging atmosphere for meaningful storytelling. According to McCoy, the students’ own efforts are the best possible representation of “Pippin’s” theme because they show how the student has interpreted their God-given purpose into their pursuit of the arts.
“When all the artistic elements come together in one, including our audience, we can see, hear, and feel God’s presence,” said McCoy. “This is what we hope you experience with this production; this is the true magic of theater.”
To learn more about PBA’s College of the Arts, visit here.
