BrightSide Theatre, Naperville’s professional theatre company, has announced the cast for the final show of its 13th season – the Stephen Schwartz/Roger O. Hirson musical PIPPIN. This tale of a prince who learns the true meaning of glory, love, and war ran for nearly five years in its original Broadway production, thanks to the captivating songs by Schwartz (songwriter of WICKED, GODSPELL, THE MAGIC SHOW and others), and the stunning staging and choreography by the legendary Bob Fosse. A Broadway-sized cast of 17 and an orchestra of seven will bring PIPPIN to life for BrightSide in a glorious, fully staged production at the company’s home venue of the Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, from June 13 – 29. BrightSide Theatre’s Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass, whose more than 30 productions for BrightSide Theatre include such musicals as JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY, will direct. Phil Videckis, music director for BrightSide’s JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, will be music director for Schwartz’s marvelous score that includes the legendary opening number “Magic to Do,” the plaintive “Corner of the Sky,” and the comic “No Time at All.” Aria Brynne, a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago, who recently created the dances for THE PROM with St. Paul Conservatory of the Arts, is Choreographer.
BrightSide’s PIPPIN cast will include Kassidy Alderman (Player, Chicago), Matthew Andresen (Player, Greenfield WI), Stan Austin (Charles/Player, Winfield), Michelle Bolliger (Fastrada/Player, Roselle), Shane Alexander Brown (Player, Villa Park), Evelyn Dorough (Theo, Plainfield), Thomas Ferro (Lewis/Player, Chicago), Erol Ibrahimovic (Player, Chicago), Delaney Katz (Player, Lake Zurich), Meghan Kessel (Player, Chicago), Cheryl Newman (Berthe/Player, Naperville), Tommy O'Brien (Pippin, Chicago), Asia Posey (Leading Player, Chicago), Monica Romo (Player, Niles), Amy Steele (Catherine/Player, Naperville), Jubilee Tai (Player, Elk Grove Village), and Amanda Vinson (Player, Chicago).
The production team, in addition to Cass, Videckis and Brynne, includes Arabella Zurbano (Scenic Designer), Cheryl Newman (Costume Designer), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Designer), Delaney Kosar (Props Designer), Gabe Seplow (Production Manager), and Jeff Sand (Technical Director).
PIPPIN will be performed in the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors and are on sale now at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
LISTING INFORMATION
PIPPIN
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
Music Direction by Phil Videckis
Choreography by Aria Brynne
June 13-29, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
Press Opening Friday, June 13 at 7:30 pm
Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall
North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth in Naperville
Tickets $32 - $37, available at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497)
From the Tony Award winning composer of WICKED and GODSPELL, Stephen Schwartz, comes a captivating tale of a prince who learns the true meaning of glory, love, and war that will sweep you off your feet. With its unforgettable music, dynamic choreography, and imaginative storytelling, PIPPIN is a feast for the senses. There’s magic to do as the young prince finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.
BIOS
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director/Director) is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight productions, including THE WHO’S TOMMY (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
Stephen Schwartz (Music and Lyrics). Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the current Broadway hit WICKED. In addition, he has contributed music and lyrics to GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING, CHILDREN OF EDEN, RAGS (music by Charles Strouse), SNAPSHOTS: A MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (music by Alan Menken) and THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, as well as two musicals for younger audiences, CAPTAIN LOUIE and MY SON PINOCCHIO. Mr. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and a special Tony Award for his support of young theatre artists.
Roger O. Hirson (Book). Awards and nominations: 1973 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical Pippin [nominee] 1967 Tony Award® Best Musical Walking Happy [nominee] Productions: PIPPIN Book [Original, Musical, Comedy] (Oct 23, 1972 - Jun 12, 1977). WALKING HAPPY Book [Original, Musical] (Nov 26, 1966 - Apr 22, 1967).
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.
