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Interview with a Cast Member from the Broadway Play “PIPPIN”

Pippin 3__1143 The Cast of the National Touring Production of PIPPIN. Credit Terry Shapiro

Have you heard of the Broadway play “PIPPIN” before?

I haven’t seen the play before but I’m looking forward to it. Here is a little more about the play.

PIPPIN is a high-flying, death-defying hit musical full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs from the composer of WICKED.

This unforgettable new production will lift you up and leave you smiling! Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival. Hailed by audiences and critics alike this “an eye-popping, jaw-dropping extravaganza” PIPPIN is coming to a city near you! Experience PIPPIN, one young man’s journey to be extraordinary.

I had the opportunity to interview one of the youngest cast members of the play. Ben Krieger is one of the actors that plays the role of Theo.

Pippin GABRIELLE McCLINTON (Leading Player) BRIAN FLORES (Pippin) JOHN RUBINSTEIN (Charles) SABRINA HARPER (Fastrada, u/s Leading Player, u/s Berthe) BRADLEY BENJAMIN (Catherine) PRISCILLA LOPEZ (Berthe) ERIK ALTEMUS (Lewis, u/s Pippin) JAKE BERMAN (Theo) DMITRIOUS BISTREVSKY (Player) MARK BURRELL (Swing, Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain, u/s Charles) MATHEW deGUZMAN (Player, u/s Lewis) SASHA BACHMAN (Player) LOUIS EL (Player) HENRY GOTTFRIED (Swing, u/s Pippin, u/s Lewis) LAURA HALL (Player, u/s Catherine, u/s Fastrada) LISA KARLIN (Player, u/s Leading Player, u/s Berthe) ALAN KELLY (Player, u/s Charles) ANNA KACHALOVA (Player) BEN KRIEGER (Theo) KEVEN LANGLOIS (Player) ANNA SCHNAITTER (Swing, u/s Catherine) KATIE SMITH (Swing) KATE WESLER (Swing, u/s Fastrada) BORRIS YORK (Player)

 

How long have you been an actor?

2 years

How did you get started?

I wanted to be in a play with my big sister. It looked fun.

How long have you been touring with the Broadway play Pippin?

Since July 21

What’s your acting history?

I was in a couple student shows at a place called StarStruck in Stuart, Florida. One of the shows was called “The Composer Series” and featured songs by Stephen Schwartz. My first big thing I ever did was sing a solo in that show. I sang “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin!  After that I did two professional shows at The Maltz Jupiter Theater in my hometown. I was in Fiddler on the Roof and then I played Gavroche in Les Miz. That’s when I knew I wanted to do this forever.

What’s been your favorite experience so far?

All of it

What’s been the most challenging experience?

Trying not to be fidgety

What’s it like to be a younger actor in the cast?

It’s awesome. The grown ups treat me like a friend. I love it.

What have been some of the most memorable cities that you’ve visited?

Seattle, Chicago,  Tokyo, Portland

Do you get much free time on tour?

We did in the summer but now we are in school during the day. But we get to sleep late and I love that.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Playing minecraft, watching Friends on Netflix and Modern Family. I also love puzzles and Soduko and stuff like that.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue their dream to become a Broadway?

Make sure you love it and you have fun otherwise it’s a waste of time.

 

Thanks again to Ben Kreiger for sharing with us today. You can find out more about PIPPIN from their website.

 

PIPPIN will be in Cincinnati at the Aronoff from October 13-18. You can get your tickets here.

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