Archbishop Carroll Theatre Society’s production of the musical Pippin opens today at 7 p.m. Admission is free with a Carroll Student ID, and all other tickets are $15.

Pippin tells the story of the son of King Charlemagne, who longs to find purpose in his ordinary life. Pippin struggles to find something completely fulfilling, and seeks the guidance of the Leading Player to set him on the right track. However, it just might be that Leading Player would rather captivate an audience than keep Pippin’s best interests in mind.

“I love singing the songs from Pippin and being able to yell at the cast at the end of the show!” said sophomore Rachel Durham, who portrays Leading Player in this production. “It’s so much fun!”

Something unique about Pippin is that it is a show within a show. The life and times of the title character are portrayed circus-style by a group of players who frequently break the fourth wall and engage the audience to participate in their performance.

“Though many performances/TV shows attempt to break the fourth wall but fail to succeed, Pippin is truly able to grab the attention and participation of the audience,” remarked senior Nate Lechtenberg, who plays Pippin’s father, Charlemagne. “It’s as fun for them to participate as it is for us!” 

The intricate set and vibrant costumes truly capture the magic of Pippin, and the cast, crew, pit, and directors are nothing short of extraordinary.

“Our version of Pippin is a captivating and exciting show,” said ACTS director Meghan McNamara. “It’s enjoyable to watch, and a spectacle every single night!” 

See Pippin on tonight, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m.