Book by Roger O. Hirson
Directed by Anthony Johnson
At Unified, we believe that health benefits should be a simple, streamlined, seamless experience.
Pippin is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI www mtishows com
To ensure everyone has the opportunity for an enjoyable night at the theatre, please note the following:
Absolutely NO outside ALCOHOL or TOBACCO is permitted in the theatre.
No unaccompanied minors in the audience.
Photography and recording of any kind on any device is strictly prohibited.
This show is rated PG-13
There will be one fifteen minute intermission.
Concessions are available for purchase in the lobby.
If you do not wish to take your program with you, please leave it in your seat, give it to an usher, or leave it on a table by an exit so we may reuse or recycle!
Hearing Assistance Devices Are Available. Inquire at the box office.
The hearing assistance system was made possible by a generous donation from Tri Kappa Anderson Xi Chapter
Producer($1000+)
Darin&RobynAxel-Adams
Morrie&PatSites
AndrewPersinger
Director($600+)
AnthonyandJenniferHIll
KarenSmith
Sustainer ($300+)
Amanda & Tom Tirman
Kurt & Julie Hettinga
Steve & Cindy Pugsley
Kevin & T R Weston
M Gary Schuster Sr
Ronald & Alice Spangler
Carol Caplinger
Contributor ($100+)
Paula Bivens
Darla Couch
Julia Dotson
Rose Evans
Elva Hamilton
Ray & Lisa Hobbs
Katherine Holtzleiter
Christie Huff
Sandra Leslie
Scott & Donna McFadden
Jeffrey Mock
Carol Mongold
Mary Skinner
Patti Sprouls
Jennifer Timmons
Peggy Wheeler
DID YOU KNOW... it takes an average of $9,000 to produce a musical including music rights? Donate now to keep our stage lit up!
*Donor levels as of the start of the 2024 season
Interested in becoming a Mainstage Theatre donor? Donors enjoy exclusive perks such as merchandise, concession cards, and special invitations to events*. To learn more information, contact the box office today!
NOTE: perks are given based on donor level
Scan here to join the cool kids listed on this page and become a Mainstage donor
Madison County Dramatic Players is a registered 501(c)(3): EIN: 31-0889882
When you take on a project of this size there is no way to accomplish that alone. Along this journey I was blessed to have an incredible group of women whose dedication and determination were game changers. Cheryl Pasquale daily brought enthusiasm and artistry to the music of this show. Bryttnei Whitehurst just kept finding exciting ways to add movement and dance to this show that moved the story along and told our story so beautifully. Chelsea Reining is a force of nature, has an amazing instinct for the art of story-telling, and is a tireless worker. I am happy she was my Assistant Director for this project, and I am proud she is my friend. I do not possess the words to tell them how grateful I am to them.
Pippin presents some unique difficulties from a storytelling perspective However, the primary difficulty is the question, "Is it true?" That answer is more complicated than it seems Are these historical characters? Yes, they lived and they were recorded Are the events of the story historically accurate? Well, no, they are not However, that doesn't mean the story is not true The story not only is true, it is eternally true because it is based on the Poem of King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. You will notice the themes of searching for fulfillment to only come up empty that run through both works. Both stories will show you a life lived for fame, fortune, and frolic will leave you empty. While Pippin and Solomon's poem have radically different endings the former is dependent on the latter for its structure and story arc.
Before you enjoy the show, allow me to thank some important people. First, the wonderful group of humans that are the board, producers, and volunteers of Anderson's Mainstage Theater. Their support, needed advice, and encouragement was beyond any expectations I had. I want to thank our Producer, Brian Shetterly I can not thank him or them enough Being a storyteller at heart I did save the best for last, my darling wife, Tiffany Johnson, has been a beacon for me in this process She is an accomplished Theatrical Director so her advice was crucial, but more importantly was the patience and support she provided - never has an artist had a more beautiful Muse!
ANTHONY JOHNSON, Director
Act I
Scene 1: The Opening
Magic To Do - Leading Player and Ensemble Players
Corner of the Sky - Pippin
Scene 2: Home
Welcome Home - Charlemagne and Pippin
Scene 3: War
War Is a Science - Charlemagne, Pippin, and Ensemble Players
Glory - Leading Player and Ensemble Players
Scene 4: The Flesh
Simple Joys - Leading Player
No Time at All - Berthe and Ensemble Players
Scene 5: Revolution
Spread a Little Sunshine - Fastrada and Ensemble Players
Morning Glow - Pippin, Leading Player, and Ensemble Players
Act II
Scene 6: Politics
The Gates of Heaven - Company
Scene 7: Encouragement
On the Right Track - Leading Player and Pippin
Scene 8: The Hearth
And There He Was - Catherine
Kind of Woman - Catherine and Ensemble Players
Extraordinary - Pippin
Prayer for a Duck - Pippin, Theo and Catherine
Love Song - Pippin and Catherine
I Guess I’ll Miss the Man - Catherine
Scene 9: The Finale
Finale - Leading Player, Pippin, and Company
WARNING: Use of flashing lights.
Please keep the aisles clear as actors use the entire theatre for their performance. Thank you for keeping our actors safe!
Anderson Symphony Orchestra enriches lives through beautiful music of high artistic quality and provides experiences that excite, entertain, engage, and educate our community. Learn more at www.andersonsymphony.org
LEADING PLAYER......................................................Zarah Shejule
PIPPIN..............................................................Matthew Blandford
CHARLEMAGNE..................................................................Jay Wile
LEWIS..........................................................................Broden Irwin
FASTRADA.............................................................Abigail Okerson
BERTHE.........................................................................Shari Jacobs
CATHERINE.................................................................Katelin Clark
THEO........................................................................Max Geronimo
ENSEMBLE PLAYER/FIRST NOBLE..................................Ted Jacobs
ENSEMBLE PLAYER/SECOND NOBLE.................James H. Williams
ENSEMBLE PLAYER/THIRD NOBLE.......................Elmore Hammes
ENSEMBLE PLAYER/BEHEADED SOLDIER Kate Robinson
FEATURED DANCERS.........................Bryttnei Whitehurst, Jordan
ENSEMBLE PLAYERS....................Braxton Spence, Dave Shetterly Garrett Ogle-Short, Gwen Burke, Julia Bratton, Katie Day, Kaylana McKnight, Malaya Lorton, Natalie Stover, Suzan Dillery, Wendy Carpenter Taylor, Cameela Allen, Red Smith
With deep gratitude to Eric Bowman who lent the weaponry for the battle, the Theater Department of Anderson High School for donating some of the props in tonight's performance, and The Alley Theater for loaning us space to rehearse and props for the show. Michelle Mullins for doing costumes while also working on another show - she takes every crazy idea I had and made them so much better.
Director ANTHONY JOHNSON
Assistant Director.......................................................CHELSEA REINING
Music Director/Sound Tech......................................CHERYL PASQUALE
Stage Manager BILL BALLINGER
Producer.....................................................................BRIAN SHETTERLY
Choreographer.................................................BRYTTNEI WHITEHURST
Dance Captain JORDAN TAYLOR
Lighting Design/Tech.........................................DR. KRISTINA LAWYER
Spotlights.................................................CYN SKIPPER, TYLER STOVER
Costumes MICHELE MULLINS
Props...................................................................ADRIENNE HENDRICKS
Hair and Makeup.......................................................CHELSEA REINING
Stage Crew ADRIENNE HENDRICKS, RILEY HARLESS, EMILY CRUZ
Set Design......................................................................MICHAEL SMITH
Set Construction.....................................MICHAEL SMITH, TED JACOBS
Painting Crew TIFFANY JOHNSON
In alphabetical order by first name
Abigail is a wonderful dog mom to Tofu and Oatmeal and is excited to return to Mainstage in one of her favorite shows! She is often on stage and recently appeared at AMT in All Shook Up. Abigail loves to travel, hike and drive Gwen to rehearsal. Abby would like to thank her loved ones for always hyping her up and supporting her dreams and Mainstage for allowing her a space to grow.
Braxton is a fifth grader at Valley Grove and this is his third AMT production, including Willy Wonka Jr and The Music Man He would like to thank his mother, Kara, for attending every rehearsal and for never missing a show; Suzan Dillery for being an amazing mentor, and his family for always supporting his theater dreams. Braxton dedicates his performance to his Aunt Julie who's love and own talent ignited both his passion for theater & love of musicals.
Broden is returning to the stage after his recent performance in Clue as Mr. Green at AMT. Off the stage, Broden is a chimney sweep and father of two children, Elliot and Guinevere. He is thankful for this creative outlet with such wonderful and kind people and is grateful for the opportunity to be in his first musical.
Bryttnei shares her love for dance as a first-time choreographer. It was quite an experience and she was along for the ride! Thank you to her son, mom, friends, cast and crew - all the support and encouragement is amazing. She could not have done this without you!
In alphabetical order by first name
Cameela was last seen on stage in A Comedy of Errors and she volunteered with the AMT youth production of Willy Wonka Jr. She lives in Anderson and is studying early childhood education. Cameela hopes to share passion for color guard and dance in future show choreography!
Dave is always seen volunteering both on and off the stage at AMT. He was most recently in The Music Man Dave is retired from the US Army and loves gardening and theatre. He would like to thank his wife, Sharon, for putting up with his theatre involvement and Tony for casting him in Pippin.
Elmore is thrilled to be in another production at Mainstage. He was most recently seen at AMT as the Motorist in “Clue” Special thanks to his cats for their continued support despite the interruptions to their eating and snuggle times from rehearsals.
Garrett is an active volunteer at AMT both on and off the stage. His family “three ring circus” are all involved in theatre. Garett would like to thank Tony for the opportunity, his family for the love and support and you, the beautiful people, for attending the show
In alphabetical order by first name
Gwen is excited to make magic in her third show at AMT! Previously, Gwen lived her dream as Mrs Paroo in the Music Man (Mainstage) this season. Gwen is a fifth grade teacher by day and moonlights as a Science Hero in the summer. When not serving Fosse realness, Gwen can be found Commissioner-ing her Fantasy Hockey League, rewatching Grey's Anatomy, and singing along to EPIC: The Musical with her husband, Joe. Gwen would like to thank Tony for fearlessly leading this cast, Chelsea for answering all of her questions and being mama bear, Cooper for the snuggles and giggles, Abby for being her emotional support throughout this process, and her husband, Joe, for feeding her after rehearsals.
James is thrilled to make his stage debut with AMT He has previously captivated audiences as the voice of the man-eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors and as Father Ogre in Shrek. Notably, his portrayal of Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar and the Governor/Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha have been among his most memorable roles Recently, he directed Of Mice and Men at Basille Westfield Playhouse in Westfield, Indiana, where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors. James is a member of the final graduating class of IUPUI, having graduated this spring, and he balanced full-time work while volunteering as an assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 109 in Fishers, Indiana, and being an active member of Carmel Masonic Lodge 421 He expresses heartfelt gratitude to his family, friends, and God for their unwavering support throughout his theatrical journey. Enjoy the show!
In alphabetical order by first name
Dr. Jay L. Wile was last seen on Anderson's Mainstage when he played Man in Chair in "The Drowsy Chaperone " When he is not overacting, he writes science textbooks and teaches online at Memoria College. He has been with Mainstage since he was a teen and credits much of what he knows about theater to Bill Malone. Enjoy the show from the best seat in the house, Bill!
Pippin is Jordan’s second show at AMT, and she couldn’t be more excited to take part in this wonderful production, as dance captain. Previous credits include Emma in The Dog Seance, that premiered at The Indy Fringe festival, as well as Mimi in RENT. In her spare time, Jordan nannies two wonderful little boys, reads as many books as she can, and writes. Special thanks her fiance, Aspen, as always (more always).
Julia is excited to be back on the boards again after working behind the scenes in Mainstage's production of MUSIC MAN as Musical Director. You may remember her as Mother Superior in SISTER ACT. Julia is the pastor at Alexandria First Christian Church (DOC) where she lives with her husband Jim and their kitty Saturn PIPPIN was the first show she saw on Broadway in 1976.
In alphabetical order by first name
Kate is simply joyous to debut her first performance on at Anderson’s Mainstage Theatre Previously performing as the Leading Player in Greenfield Central Highschool's performance of "Pippin", she's spreading her sunshine through new acts! In just no time at all, she has created friendships with her fellow performers and is ready to share the magic with you!
Katelin is incredibly excited to return to AMT! Her previous roles include Sister Mary Robert in “Sister Act” ,Kitty in “The Drowsy Chaperone” and “Fall River”. She'd like to thank the directing team for this amazing opportunity and all of their encouragement. She'd also like to thank her family and friends for always cheering her on and encouraging her to audition!
Katie returns to AMT after her performance in “The Music Man”. Off stage, her time is spent reading, writing, baking and enjoying photography. She would lie to thank her theatre family and friends for all their support.
Kaylana is very excited to be doing her second show at Mainstage! You saw her previously as Lorraine in “All Shook Up”. She is a Junior at Alexandria Monroe High School and will be playing the role of Snoopy in the production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Kaylana enjoys cosplay, prop making, cooking, and going to the movies She extends thanks to Tony, CJ, her family and friends for this awesome opportunity.
In alphabetical order by first name
Graduated last year, Malaya was last seen on stage as Muff Potter in Tom Sawyer in her high school She is going straight into the work force, wanting to eventually transition to having a fun enjoyable job related to hobbies such as filmmaking, cosplaying, and possibly marketing.
Matthew is thrilled to return to Mainstage for this beloved role and show Last appearing at AMT in Jekyll & Hyde in 2019, Matthew has also performed at several other theatres in the Indianapolis area, including Mud Creek Players, Buck Creek Players, Footlite Musicals, Southbank Theatre Company, and Catalyst Repertory He wants to thank his wife Katie for all her support and love as they've found their own "corner of the sky" together
Max is so excited to be part of this amazing cast. He has performed in numerous productions including Beef and Boards, the CAT theater, Butler University, and Muncie Civic. Max is a sixth grader at Liberty Christian and loves singing, dancing, acting and Kpop! Max thanks his mom for being his taxi driver!
Natalie is making her debut for Mainstage with Pippin Natalie is a senior at Anderson High School and participates in the theatre program there in which she is a student director. After high school she plans on going to Ball State for theatre education! Natalie wants to thank her friends and family as well as her theatre teacher for helping her learn more about local theatre.
In alphabetical order by first name
Red is a tenth grader at Anderson High School and enjoys performing with the color guard. She would like to thank Mrs Johnson who encouraged her to audition for Pippin.
This is Shari’s first production at AMT, but she is no stranger to performing! Her parents put her in dance classes at age 4 and she hasn’t stopped since Favorite past shows include Bright Star, Mamma Mia!, Nunsense, and Children of Eden. After spending 18 years teaching high school English, Shari now spends her days working for the Disciples Church Extension Fund. She sends her love to her on-stage and offstage honey Ted, their daughters Rachael and Kara, and their three hooligan dogs Wrigley, Aspen, and Piper Hi Mom!
Susan is a veteran of AMT and has been in many productions over the past years. She is a retired EMT with Pendleton Emergency Ambulance and enjoys singing, piano, guitar and spending time with her family Thank you to Mainstage for making it possible to enjoy a music theatre experience!
In alphabetical order by first name
Pippin marks Ted’s second performance at AMT. Ted was last seen onstage in Music Man as Olin Britt. He is known for his set building experiences in Indy theatres, having built the sets for the last five shows at Footlite, the most recent set at Buck Creek players for their production of Vultures and for a world premiere production at Theatre on the Fort In 2022 Ted retired from teaching after thirty years; the bulk of his career was spent at Greenfield-Central High School where he was Director of Theatre and taught English. Ted is married to Shari and is the proud dad of Rachael and Kara (and pups Wrigley, Aspen, and Piper) Curtain Going Up!
Wendy is joining the AMT stage again after being part of “All Shook Up” cast this season. She enjoys being artistic, crocheting and spoiling her granddaughters. Wendy wants to thank Tony and Cheryl for choosing her to be part of the magic! It is truly an All-Star case and is honored to “play” along
Zarah is excited to take the AMT stage again after most recently being seen as Glory in “Almost Maine,” and Deloris in “Sister Act ” When not on stage, Zarah loves traveling with her husband and watching the latest film in theaters. A big thank you to her husband Sam and sister-in-law Susan for holding down the fort at home during rehearsals!
For 50 years Anderson Young Ballet Theatre has been dedicated to promoting the performing arts, making dance education accessible and encouraging community interest in dance. Want to know more? Go to www.andersonyoungballet.org
In need of financial aid? We believe theatre should be accessible for all, so please reach out for more information.
Thanks to our grant providers, the Madison County Community Foundation
Join us in making a lasting impact on the arts and culture of Madison County by sponsoring our upcoming 2025 season! Anderson’s
Mainstage Theatre is dedicated to uniting our community through a volunteer performing arts experience. Our mission is to bring vibrant live entertainment to Madison County while fostering education and awareness of the magic of live theatre for the young and young at heart.
As a sponsor, your business will:
Support local arts and culture
Gain visibility with enthusiastic audiences from across the region
Be aligned with a respected nonprofit that is truly community-driven
Our 2025 season is packed with exciting shows that will bring joy, connection, and inspiration to our audiences. Partnering with us is more than an ad placement—it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of local artists, volunteers, and the entire community.
AMT Premiere Partner - $10,000+
4spotsavailable
10 Season tickets or 60 single tickets
Logo on front cover page and back page of all 5 show programs Full page color ad in every program
Name and/or logo included in all digital/print advertising for season including show shirts and email marketing
Sponsor verbal recognition during curtain speech on each show night
Prominent placement of your logo on our website with link to your business
Full screen ad slide on digital lobby screens during every show
Sponsor spotlight social media post during each show
AMT Gold Partner - $5,000+
5spotsavailable
6 Season tickets or 30 single tickets
Logo on front cover page and back page of all 5 show programs Half page color ad in every program
Name and/or logo included in all digital/print advertising for season including show shirts
Sponsor verbal recognition during curtain speech on each show night
Prominent placement of your logo on our website with link to your business
Full screen ad slide on digital lobby screens during every show
Sponsor spotlight social media post during each show
Season Sponsor - $2,500+
5spotsavailable
4 Season tickets or 20 single tickets
Logo on front, inside page and back page of every program
Half page black and white ad in every program
Name and/or logo included in all digital/print advertising for season including show shirts
Sponsor verbal recognition during curtain speech on each show night
Logo listed on Sponsor page of website
Full screen ad slide on digital lobby screens during every show
Sponsor spotlight social media post during the season
Show Sponsor - $1,500+
5spotsavailable
10 single tickets for your sponsored show
Logo on poster of chosen sponsored show
Full page black and white ad in program of chosen sponsored show
Name and/or logo included in digital/print advertising for chosen sponsored show including show shirts for chosen show
Logo listed on Sponsor page of website
Full screen ad slide on digital lobby screens during chosen sponsored show
Sponsor spotlight social media post during chosen sponsored show
*Please choose your sponsored show or contact us with questions and more information to find the show best suited for your business.
**Want a partnership more specific to you and your business? Let’s talk!
Reach out to: marketing@mainstagetheatre.org
