Pippin
at Orange Lutheran

Reviewed on April 16, 2016

Sarah Ritter
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Orange Lutheran's Pippin spreads a little sunshine

A stage manager calls out direction while the cast and crew in street clothing prepare their makeup and lighting in the wings. The music commences and an extravagant woman sings a welcome to the audience, preparing them for what is to come—Orange Lutheran's unique production of Pippin, fashioned in the form of a reality TV show.

Leading the cast is the story's narrator, the Leading Player, portrayed brilliantly by Amanda Dayhoff. Her cool strut and cunning facial expressions entice her viewers to follow her as she unravels the story of a young man yearning to be extraordinary. Whether she's shouting a command to her crew or belting the narration of the elaborate tale, Dayhoff's staunch presence commands the stage.

As the young and naïve Pippin, Brayden Martino delights with his irrepressible boyish energy and vigor to find true meaning in his life. Martino highlights Pippin's continuous growth from a boy who gleefully swings his sword to a world-weary man who stands firmly planted in his resolve to care for his loved ones.

The impish Fastrada is played by an alluring Grace Underwood. Her sultry strides and mature voice capture Fastrada's joy in making trouble for Pippin while helping her favorite son Lewis (Bradley Devlin) become king.

A bright star among stars is Nick Wise as the innocent young Theo. His hunched shoulders and drooped head throughout showcase Theo's disappointment with the world. Theo speaks only a few lines, but Wise makes each one unforgettable with his bright smile and, especially at the show's conclusion, with his clear, soaring vocals.

To emphasize the reality TV show setting, the creative team led by Charlie Battaglia and Kiersten Rummell produced an opening credits video introducing the characters in and out of costume. With Rummell's orchestrations and Battaglia's editing, the video sets the mood which suggests that the students themselves are the creators of the production's main storyline.

Pippin is a man searching for purpose in life. Choosing to unfold that story in front of reality TV cameras, the Orange Lutheran cast provides a memorable and timely experience.

Sarah Ritter
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Orange Lutheran's Pippin spreads a little sunshine

A stage manager calls out direction while the cast and crew in street clothing prepare their makeup and lighting in the wings. The music commences and an extravagant woman sings a welcome to the audience, preparing them for what is to come—Orange Lutheran's unique production of Pippin, fashioned in the form of a reality TV show.

Leading the cast is the story's narrator, the Leading Player, portrayed brilliantly by Amanda Dayhoff. Her cool strut and cunning facial expressions entice her viewers to follow her as she unravels the story of a young man yearning to be extraordinary. Whether she's shouting a command to her crew or belting the narration of the elaborate tale, Dayhoff's staunch presence commands the stage.

As the young and naïve Pippin, Brayden Martino delights with his irrepressible boyish energy and vigor to find true meaning in his life. Martino highlights Pippin's continuous growth from a boy who gleefully swings his sword to a world-weary man who stands firmly planted in his resolve to care for his loved ones.

The impish Fastrada is played by an alluring Grace Underwood. Her sultry strides and mature voice capture Fastrada's joy in making trouble for Pippin while helping her favorite son Lewis (Bradley Devlin) become king.

A bright star among stars is Nick Wise as the innocent young Theo. His hunched shoulders and drooped head throughout showcase Theo's disappointment with the world. Theo speaks only a few lines, but Wise makes each one unforgettable with his bright smile and, especially at the show's conclusion, with his clear, soaring vocals.

To emphasize the reality TV show setting, the creative team led by Charlie Battaglia and Kiersten Rummell produced an opening credits video introducing the characters in and out of costume. With Rummell's orchestrations and Battaglia's editing, the video sets the mood which suggests that the students themselves are the creators of the production's main storyline.

Pippin is a man searching for purpose in life. Choosing to unfold that story in front of reality TV cameras, the Orange Lutheran cast provides a memorable and timely experience.

Megan Kerrigan
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

There's magic to do in Pippin at OLU

Lights illuminate a studio set. Figures appear silhouetted on the stage. A director yells action. The show begins.

Orange Lutheran's innovative production of Pippin follows the story of a prince who dreams to live an extraordinary life. His story unfolds on the set of a broadcasting studio where fate mixes reality with the lines in the script.

Brayden Martino is lively and spirited as Pippin, the adventurous son King Charlemagne. Yearning to be extraordinary, Martino captures Pippin's wanderlust by leaping across stage and belting what he truly believes in "Corner of the Sky". He highlights Pippin's inability to fit in by stepping out of time with the soldiers but later matures into a confident individual by the "Finale," standing as a father figure and accepting his responsibilities.

Amanda Dayhoff, as the Leading Player, provides incredible vocals and acting. Directing and narrating the show-within-the-show, Dayhoff uses a zesty voice and enticing movements to manage the studio and manipulate workers. Her attitude is demanding as she raises an eyebrow at her actors and belts endless riffs throughout her songs "Glory" and "Simple Joys".

With a cackle and syrupy, sexy voice, Grace Underwood plays Pippin's devious stepmother Fastrada. Underwood toys with her husband and displays her cunning by blowing kisses to the camera man. Her elegance and so-called class are highlighted as she glides along the stage while lifting her gown. She sneakily scurries around the stage with devious plans while belting in a beautiful high soprano "Spread A Little Sunshine".

A tech crew prepping makeup and cuing lights transform into players that help the Leading Player narrate Pippin's adventures. They sweep the stage and place set pieces; however, when it's time, they come together as a powerful ensemble of grand singers in numbers like "Magic to Do" and "The Finale".

Charlie Battaglia's opening video highlights the reality TV format. The clever introduction shows the actors out of costume then switches to their characters in full costume, emphasizing that the actors and their characters will be sharing space throughout the show.

Orange Lutheran's Pippin stresses an important value: be careful what you wish for if you long for an incredible life.

Megan Kerrigan
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

There's magic to do in Pippin at OLU

Lights illuminate a studio set. Figures appear silhouetted on the stage. A director yells action. The show begins.

Orange Lutheran's innovative production of Pippin follows the story of a prince who dreams to live an extraordinary life. His story unfolds on the set of a broadcasting studio where fate mixes reality with the lines in the script.

Brayden Martino is lively and spirited as Pippin, the adventurous son King Charlemagne. Yearning to be extraordinary, Martino captures Pippin's wanderlust by leaping across stage and belting what he truly believes in "Corner of the Sky". He highlights Pippin's inability to fit in by stepping out of time with the soldiers but later matures into a confident individual by the "Finale," standing as a father figure and accepting his responsibilities.

Amanda Dayhoff, as the Leading Player, provides incredible vocals and acting. Directing and narrating the show-within-the-show, Dayhoff uses a zesty voice and enticing movements to manage the studio and manipulate workers. Her attitude is demanding as she raises an eyebrow at her actors and belts endless riffs throughout her songs "Glory" and "Simple Joys".

With a cackle and syrupy, sexy voice, Grace Underwood plays Pippin's devious stepmother Fastrada. Underwood toys with her husband and displays her cunning by blowing kisses to the camera man. Her elegance and so-called class are highlighted as she glides along the stage while lifting her gown. She sneakily scurries around the stage with devious plans while belting in a beautiful high soprano "Spread A Little Sunshine".

A tech crew prepping makeup and cuing lights transform into players that help the Leading Player narrate Pippin's adventures. They sweep the stage and place set pieces; however, when it's time, they come together as a powerful ensemble of grand singers in numbers like "Magic to Do" and "The Finale".

Charlie Battaglia's opening video highlights the reality TV format. The clever introduction shows the actors out of costume then switches to their characters in full costume, emphasizing that the actors and their characters will be sharing space throughout the show.

Orange Lutheran's Pippin stresses an important value: be careful what you wish for if you long for an incredible life.

Jennifer Hardy
Capistrano Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Orange Lutheran's "Pippin" is the essence of extraordinary

Lights come up. Sets roll in and the backstage crew hastily prepares their actors for their grand performances. With a flicker and a flourish, the magic begins as the cameras capture extraordinary brilliance on the set of Orange Lutheran High School's production of "Pippin."

With an interesting reality television spin on the musical, Orange Lutheran's production of "Pippin" successfully showcases the superficial glamour of the troupe's portrayal of themselves on-camera, and the contrast of the magical façade being lifted once cameras stop rolling, revealing the troupe's true nature.

The show follows Pippin, an enthusiastic and naïve young actor played by junior Brayden Martino, and his journey to become extraordinary through his acting experience with the television show cast. Martino's liveliness and boyish ambition, showcased wonderfully in the song "Corner of the Sky," gradually falters as he becomes distraught with the true nature of television. The Leading Player, the crew's ringmaster portrayed by junior Amanda Dayhoff, is suave and enticing in her methods to tempt Pippin into performing his first, and last, Grand Finale.

The ensemble, known mainly as the Band of Players, thrives on stage as they blur the line between fantastical magic and disturbing reality. With polished and united vocals, the troupe's collected talents sell group numbers such as "Glory" and "Finale," contributing to the Leading Player's ultimate goal of showcasing Pippin's grandeur for one final, incredible moment.

The show's technical aspects are managed onstage, which delightfully achieve the reality television set concept of the production. Sound, overseen by Mia Battaglia and Samantha Hood, is expertly handled; every voice can be heard crystal clear and sound cues are never missed, adding to the seamless, magical nature of the production.

Orange Lutheran's performance of "Pippin" is nothing short of dazzling and enthralling.

Jennifer Hardy
Capistrano Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Orange Lutheran's "Pippin" is the essence of extraordinary

Lights come up. Sets roll in and the backstage crew hastily prepares their actors for their grand performances. With a flicker and a flourish, the magic begins as the cameras capture extraordinary brilliance on the set of Orange Lutheran High School's production of "Pippin."

With an interesting reality television spin on the musical, Orange Lutheran's production of "Pippin" successfully showcases the superficial glamour of the troupe's portrayal of themselves on-camera, and the contrast of the magical façade being lifted once cameras stop rolling, revealing the troupe's true nature.

The show follows Pippin, an enthusiastic and naïve young actor played by junior Brayden Martino, and his journey to become extraordinary through his acting experience with the television show cast. Martino's liveliness and boyish ambition, showcased wonderfully in the song "Corner of the Sky," gradually falters as he becomes distraught with the true nature of television. The Leading Player, the crew's ringmaster portrayed by junior Amanda Dayhoff, is suave and enticing in her methods to tempt Pippin into performing his first, and last, Grand Finale.

The ensemble, known mainly as the Band of Players, thrives on stage as they blur the line between fantastical magic and disturbing reality. With polished and united vocals, the troupe's collected talents sell group numbers such as "Glory" and "Finale," contributing to the Leading Player's ultimate goal of showcasing Pippin's grandeur for one final, incredible moment.

The show's technical aspects are managed onstage, which delightfully achieve the reality television set concept of the production. Sound, overseen by Mia Battaglia and Samantha Hood, is expertly handled; every voice can be heard crystal clear and sound cues are never missed, adding to the seamless, magical nature of the production.

Orange Lutheran's performance of "Pippin" is nothing short of dazzling and enthralling.