Magic is the only word that can be used to describe the updated version of the Tony Award winning musical “Pippin” that overtook the Benedum stage from January 20-25 as part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh season.
And actor Borris York, who portrays the role of “Player” and is a member of the “Manson Trio” in the Cirque Du Soleil-style show, is glad to be one of the people providing that razzle dazzle.
This is such a real show and it’s based on real situations in life,” explained York who graduated from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts with his BFA in 2011.
This is York’s first national tour. Before joining the cast of “Pippin,” York dipped his toe in various forms of media. He has appeared in NBC’S “Smash,” MTV’s “Jerks with Cameras.” His regional theater credits include “Miss Saigon,” “A Chorus Line,” “Spamalot” and “Dreamgirls.”
“My character is really fun and I really enjoy the choreography and movement,” said York who hails from New Orleans but resides in New York City. His dance during the Manson Trio scene was by famed choreographer, Bob Fosse. “I really identify with the Bob Fosse numbers in the show. Choreographer Chet Walker stayed true to the original production of ‘Pippin.’ The production in the ’70s was all about the Fosse dance numbers, but this one focuses more on the circus aspect. A lot of the scenes take place in a circus tent.”
The show features seven world class acrobats that perform breath-holding stunts. Many of the actors, who only had six weeks of rehearsal time in “Pippin” had to learn some of the circus tricks for the role.
To portray the Player, York watched his theater inspiration, Ben Vereen who won a Tony Award playing the role of the Lead Player in the original production in 1971.
“Ben Vereen is an idol of mine. I have photos of the show in my room,” said York who applied to Point Park University’s theater program and who has many close friends who attended Point Park and Carnegie Mellon University. “I felt that this role of the Player is right for me. When something is so perfect and so right for you, you don’t worry about anything.”
“Pippin” tells the coming-of-age story of Pippin, son of King Charlemagne, who returns to Rome after graduating from college, in search of his meaning in life. As a result he goes through a series of misadventures in search of himself.
“We’re trying to get the audience to walk away with realizing who they are and what’s important in their lives,” explained York who enjoys exercising and sampling local cuisine when he isn’t performing. “People should know who they stand for and walk away from this performance with a sense of self”
In addition to York, other standouts in the cast include the beautiful powerhouse singer Sasha Allen who portrays the Lead Player with sexuality, sensuality and stunning singing prowess. John Rubinstein as the funny and royal Charles, who originated the role of “Pippin” in the original Broadway production in 1972 and Priscilla Lopez who portrayed Pippin’s sexy, sensible and nimble grandmother, Berthe. Lopez also portrayed the role in the Broadway cast of the show.
“This production still has the same heart and life of the original,” York said. “It definitely came out at the right time in today’s society. With the power of social media, everyone is looking into someone else’s life and wishing they were doing more but it’s important for us to invest in the reality and not the fantasy.
“You have to realize that you are living your extraordinary life because it’s YOUR life,” York said. “’Pippin’ is about finding something extraordinary within yourself and that story will never die.”
