“Pippin” set to take WHS stage this week

This year, the Watertown High School theatre is performing the musical “Pippin” on March 15-17. The show will be at 7 p.m. each night and tickets will cost $10 at the door. The show does have adult themes, so it is best suited for high school and older.

WHS senior Sandra Chacon plays the main role of the show,  Leading Player. The cast also includes the ensemble, the circus tricksters and players.

According to Sandra, “ ‘Pippin’ is the story of a man trying to find his place in the world, and he is helped by the Leading Player — me — to help reach the Finale.”

And what exactly is the Leading Player’s role? “The Leading Player is orchestrating things and putting together the story of Pippin for the audience to watch.”

The musical is essentially a play within a play. Pippin, played by senior Liam Forde, tries to find something to be dedicated to do in life. One mistake leads to another, and the lines between “play” and “reality” blur as the Leading Player pushes Pippin toward the Finale.

Sandra said she has participated in theatre since third grade and she loved it ever since. She also performed in community theatre and all of the shows at the high school.

This is her first time stepping up and learning how to dance. She says that it’s fun to take up the role, but she also admits that it is challenging to dance.

“I’ve got two left feet and no rhythm,” she said with a laugh. “But Aine [Dirrane] definitely helped me learn my dances.”

Dirrane is helping Laura Di Benedetti, the choreography director, and she’s been very involved with the actors as she teaches and assists them with dancing.

Sandra also loves the musical’s directors, praising their coordination.

“It’s cool to work with different directors, and it’s great to see them come together,” she said, referring to directors Dan Wulf, Beth Peters, and Di Benedetti, who work on music, acting, and dancing, respectively, for the show.

(“Pippin” will be performed at Watertown High School on March 15-17, 2018, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.)

–March 11, 2018–