Pippin

Jan. 11-15, Broadway at the Academy series, Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.

by David Anthony Fox

theater

Way to start the new year with a trip or two down memory lane! In the early 1970s, all the cool theater kids were crazy for Pippin, a winsome musical fantasia about the young son of King Charlemagne. Part coming-of-age narrative, part love story, part anti-war polemic, Pippin was the perfect piece at the perfect time, and every young aspirant to musical stardom could deliver a throbbing rendition of "Corner of the Sky."

Of course, that was 35 years ago. All those original Pippin-ophiles have moved on to middle age. Today's musical theater kids are belting songs from Wicked.

But wait — Wicked is by Stephen Schwartz! And so is Pippin! Why not bring back an old favorite who just happens to be by the hottest composer currently on Broadway?

Yes, Pippin is back in a new production. No doubt there are young musical fans who will thrill to their first encounter with a Stephen Schwartz show written before they were born. And just to make sure the original Pippin generation has something to look forward to, this new production brings back (ta-da) Mickey Dolenz in the role of Charlemagne. (Yes, that's right — The Monkees' Mickey Dolenz.)

In the who's-on-first department, please note that while Pippin is presented by Broadway at the Academy, it is performed at the Forrest Theatre. Hallelujah! This wonderful Philly building, site of many important world premieres, has been dark of late. Anything that brings it back to life is A-OK in my book.

Runs Jan. 11-15, $43.75-$76.25, Broadway at the Academy series, Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., 800-447-7400.