Dripping Springs High School 2009

Stephen Schwartz
Music and Lyrics by

Book by Roger O. Hirson

Originally produced on the Broadway stage by Stuart Ostrow
Directed on the Broadway stage by Bob Fosse
 PIPPIN
ACT ONE

Scene 1
THE OPENING

At the rise, the stage is filled with smoke

and in total darkness except for mov-
ing hands. The hands are illuminated
by a light curtain consisting of ungelled
floodlights focused directly upwards
mounted on the stage floor which keeps
the stage in virtual darkness, so that the
writhing hands exist in a strange, maca-
bre limbo.

An orchestral vamp is accompanied by a

low, crooning vocal wail.

Then, from the center of the rotating

hands, the face of the LEADING PLAYER
appears and is hit by a spot light. HE
crosses the light curtain and moves
downstage to the audience and sings.

As the song progresses, we can see a

bare stage populated by a GROUP of
ACTORS. Their costumes are of an unde-
termined period. But THEY are definitely
PLAYERS...a troupe...a theatrical cara-
van of some kind.

One by one, THEY come through the light

curtain, and are hit by spot lights; until
finally, THEY all come forward and join in
the song.

LEADING PLAYER
JOIN US - LEAVE YOUR FIELDS TO FLOWER
JOIN US - LEAVE YOUR CHEESE TO SOUR
JOIN US - COME AND WASTE AN HOUR OR TWO
DOO-DLE-EE-DO
JOURNEY - JOURNEY TO A SPOT EX-
CITING, MYSTIC AND EXOTIC
JOURNEY - THROUGH OUR ANECDOTIC REVUE

WE’VE GOT MAGIC TO DO - JUST FOR YOU

WE’VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY

DSHS Pippin 2
WE’VE GOT PARTS TO PERFORM - HEARTS TO WARM
KINGS AND THINGS TO TAKE BY STORM
AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY

A PLAYER
INTRIGUE - PLOTS TO BRING DISASTER

A PLAYER
HUMOR - HANDLED BY A MASTER

TWO GIRLS
ROMANCE - SEX PRESENTED PASTORALLY

LEADING PLAYER
DEE-DLE-EE-DEE

A PLAYER
ILLUSION - FANTASY TO STUDY

A PLAYER
BATTLES - BARBAROUS AND BLOODY

LEADING PLAYER
SO JOIN US - SIT WHERE EVERYBODY CAN SEE

(The remaining PLAYERS step through the light

curtain and THEY ALL sing)

ALL
WE’VE GOT MAGIC TO DO - JUST FOR YOU
WE’VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY
WE’VE GOT PARTS TO PERFORM - HEARTS TO WARM
KINGS AND THINGS TO TAKE BY STORM
AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY

(The song develops into a dance of sorts. It in-

volves all kinds of magic tricks, etc., all the things
that PLAYERS have ever done to attract and hold
an audience)

WE’VE GOT MAGIC TO DO - JUST FOR YOU

WE’VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY
WE’VE GOT PARTS TO PERFORM - HEARTS TO WARM
KINGS AND THINGS TO TAKE BY STORM
AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY

DSHS Pippin 3
 GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3
WE GOT MAGIC TO DO WE GOT MAGIC TO DO
JUST FOR YOU, WE GOT MAGIC TO DO MAGIC TO DO
MAGIC TO DO JUST FOR YOU, WE GOT MAGIC TO DO
JUST FOR YOU, WE GOT MAGIC TO DO WE GOT
MAGIC TO DO JUST FOR YOU, WE GOT FOIBLES AND FABLES TO
JUST FOR YOU MAGIC TO DO PORTRAY
JUST FOR YOU

AS WE GO ALONG AS WE GO ALONG AS WE GO ALONG

OUR WAY OUR WAY
OUR WAY

(After the song, the music continues under)

LEADING PLAYER
This evening, for your entertainment pleasure, we present our most myste-
rious and miraculous tale. A stunning example of...

A PLAYER
Magic!

A PLAYER
And merriment!

LEADING PLAYER
You will witness acts of...

A PLAYER
Lust!

A PLAYER
Murder!

A PLAYER
Holy War!

LEADING PLAYER
And a climax, ladies and gentlemen, a climax never before seen on a public
stage...

(A PLAYER jumps onstage from a hidden platform

on the side of the stage. HE has a lighted torch in
his hand)

Not now... later...

(The PLAYER with the torch goes. The LEADING

PLAYER continues)
DSHS Pippin 4
Our tale today concerns the first-born son of Charlemagne...and is en-
titled...

(The PLAYERS pull out a large cloth which has

been concealed in one of their costumes. It reads...
PIPPIN... HIS LIFE AND TIMES)

But, before we begin, let me assure you that what you are about to see is
the true life story of Pippin. You see there have been many misconceptions
about Pippin...one that he was...

(During the following, a few of the PLAYERS, all of

whom are now hidden behind the cloth sign, come
around or from under it to deliver their lines)

A PLAYER
A hunchback.

LEADING PLAYER
Or that he was...

A PLAYER
Enormously tall.

LEADING PLAYER
That he was...

A PLAYER
Completely bald at the age of fourteen.

(THEY ALL go back behind the sign)

LEADING PLAYER
But I beg you, cast all previous misconceptions aside. And accept what we
enact for you today. (Pause). The life of Pippin begins...

(There is a cry and ONE of the PLAYERS is raised

above the sign with a bundle in her arms)

Pippin, as a child, showed tremendous thirst of knowledge...

(The WOMAN PLAYER is lowered, and a BOY is held

up reading a small book)

Immersed in these pursuits, the years went by quickly.

(The BOY is lowered and PIPPIN is raised above the

sign. HE is reading a large book. HE looks out at
the audience and smiles as HE is lowered behind
DSHS Pippin 5
 the sign)

Charlemagne sent Pippin to the University of Padua...

CHARLEMAGNE
(Stepping to the side of the cloth)
...and the faculty of the university granted him the special title of scholar
of the house.

LEADING PLAYER
Pippin replied to this offer in his own deeply moving words...

(The LEADING PLAYER pulls the cloth away. PIP-

PIN is revealed. The TROUPE applauds, but it is
a silent applause, and only ONE of the PLAYERS
actually claps. PIPPIN looks around, looks up,
and frowns slightly, then addresses the LEADING
PLAYER)

LEADING PLAYER
He may be a little nervous. This is his first time playing this role.

PIPPIN
Could I have some more lights, please?

LEADING PLAYER
Well, he’s not that nervous.

(The LEADING PLAYER claps his hands and a spot

light hits PIPPIN)

PIPPIN
Thank you. Gentle tutors... respected members of the faculty...I’m very
grateful for the knowledge that you have given me. But I’m afraid what I’m
looking for can’t be found in books...

(Underscoring begins)

I’m not exactly sure what I want to do...or where I want to go...

(Sings)
EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON
EVERYTHING HAS ITS TIME
SHOW ME A REASON AND I’LL SHOW YOU A RHYME
CATS FIT ON THE WINDOW SILL
CHILDREN FIT IN THE SNOW
WHY DO I FEEL I DON’T FIT IN ANYWHERE I GO?

RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE

EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY
DSHS Pippin 6
I’VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE
GOT TO FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY

EVERY MAN HAS HIS DAYDREAMS

EVERY MAN HAS HIS GOAL
PEOPLE LIKE THE WAY DREAMS HAVE
OF STICKING TO THE SOUL
THUNDERCLOUDS HAVE THEIR LIGHTNING
NIGHTINGALES HAVE THEIR SONG
AND DON’T YOU SEE I WANT MY LIFE TO BE
SOMETHING MORE THAN LONG...

RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE

EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY
I’VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE
GOT TO FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY

SO MANY MEN SEEM DESTINED

TO SETTLE FOR SOMETHING SMALL
BUT I WON’T REST UNTIL I KNOW I’LL HAVE IT ALL
SO DON’T ASK WHERE I’M GOING
JUST LISTEN WHEN I’M GONE
AND FAR AWAY YOU’LL HEAR ME SINGING
SOFTLY TO THE DAWN...

RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE

EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY
I’VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE
GOT TO FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY...

(After the song, EVERYONE applauds.)

LEADING PLAYER
And Pippin made a promise...

PIPPIN
I promise not to waste my life in commonplace, ordinary pursuits.

A PLAYER
(Sarcastically)
Terrific.

(The OTHER PLAYERS mumble praise)

PIPPIN
You see I know there is something...

LEADING PLAYER
Something fulfilling? Completely fulfilling...

DSHS Pippin 7
 PIPPIN
Yes. That’s it. Something completely fulfilling.

A PLAYER
Oh, fantastic.

PIPPIN
And I’m going to find it...

(THE PLAYERS go to PIPPIN and slap him on the

back and congratulate him, ad libbing ‘Well
said’... ‘Bravo’... ‘Good luck’, etc. When the music
begins, THEY bow and begin to move off, taking
PIPPIN with them)

(The LEADING PLAYER sings)

LEADING PLAYER
JOURNEY - JOURNEY TO A SPOT EX-
CITING, MYSTIC AND EXOTIC
JOURNEY - THROUGH OUR ANECDOTIC REVUE

(The music continues. As it does the LEADING

PLAYER performs a trick where HE makes a red
scarf disappear in his hand. HE then points to
down to the center of the stage; as HE does, a
spot light hits the center of the stage, and the
LEADING PLAYER crosses to the light and begins
to pull what seems to be the same red scarf out
of the floor. As it gets larger and larger on sees it
is attached to the palace portal which now rises
entirely out of the floor, magically and majestically.
It is the full length of the stage. The PLAYERS enter
with step units completing the magic change.
When THEY are finished, THEY bow to the audience
and go. The LEADING PLAYER indicates the new set
to the audience and to PIPPIN who has entered and
is excitedly watching the transformation)

LEADING PLAYER
The royal court of Charles the Great...
(He bows to the audience and squeezes out his
own spotlight. PIPPIN addresses the audience.)

DSHS Pippin 8
 Scene 2
HOME

PIPPIN
The first day I was home from Padua I tried to get an audience with my fa-
ther, but they told me he was too busy. The second day I tried to speak with
him at dinner, but he was too drunk. The third day, today...he came to visit
me.

(There is a flash of fire, and CHARLEMAGNE ap-

pears)

LEADING PLAYER
Enter... Charlemagne

CHARLES
This part is to be portrayed by an actor of enormous power.

LEADING PLAYER
A master on the battlefield and in the bedroom.

CHARLES
Oh, thank you so much.

LEADING PLAYER
You’re welcome.

(HE goes)

CHARLES
(Moving to PIPPIN)
Good morning.

PIPPIN
(Kneeling)
Good morning, sir.

(CHARLES opens his arms to PIPPIN and THEY

embrace)

CHARLES
Well, welcome home, son...well...

PIPPIN
Oh, Father, I wanted to talk with you so badly.

charles
Talk...talk...yes, talk...talking is good.
(Unsure of what to say, he begins the song.)

DSHS Pippin 9
 CHARLES
HELLO, SON.

PIPPIN
HELLO.

CHARLES
YOU LOOK THINNER.

PIPPIN
YES, I KNOW.

CHARLES
SO, SON

PIPPIN
SO...

CHARLES
LAST NIGHT DIDN’T YOU MISS DINNER

PIPPIN
NO. FATHER, I WAS RIGHT THERE, BUT YOU WERE...DRINKING...

CHARLES
Ah, yes...I remember....I always remember.

(changing the subject.)

Oh. Well, how did things go in Padua?

PIPPIN
Very well, sir, some of my tutors...

CHARLES
(Interrupting PIPPIN)
Good...good. I’m a firm believer in education.

PIPPIN
And yet you have become the most powerful man in the world without it.

CHARLES
The most powerful man in the world? Oh, Pippin, don’t exaggerate. What
about the Pope?

PIPPIN
I rank you ahead of the Pope, sir.

CHARLES
I happen to agree with you. But the world I grew up in was simpler. The
DSHS Pippin 10
sword solved every problem. Tomorrow is for you.

PIPPIN
But it’s still today.

CHARLES
But for how long? Pippin, sunrise and sunset are similar, but not identical.

(Action freezes on CHARLES and PIPPIN. The LEAD-

ING PLAYER appears)

LEADING PLAYER
Enter Lewis...

(LEWIS jumps up from the side. As the LEADING

PLAYER introduces him, HE strikes a series of
characteristically masculine poses to show off his
muscles)

Pippin’s half-brother...offspring of Charles and Fastrada...and after Pip-

pin, heir to the throne. Addicted to the physical, Lewis loves weight lifting...
Lewis loves wrestling...but most of all...Lewis loves Lewis.

(LEWIS winks at the audience and then crosses the

stage swinging his sword, as if HE were attacking
something. CHARLES and PIPPIN are again in the
scene)

LEWIS
Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah!

PIPPIN
Well done, brother.

LEWIS
Well done? Ha! That was magnificent! Did you know this arm slew twenty
Frisians last year? And it’s going to slay even more Visigoths. Right, fa-
thers?

charles
Why do I always get nauseous when he calls me father?

(The action freezes and once more the LEADING

PLAYER appears, high up on the portal)

LEADING PLAYER
Enter... Fastrada.

(As HE speaks, a black tab is taken up and FAS-

DSHS Pippin 11
 TRADA is revealed standing in the light)

Pippin’s step-mother. Devious...crafty, cunning, untrustworthy...but a warm

and wonderful mother. Dedicated to gaining the throne for her darling son,
Lewis.

(Action begins. FASTRADA comes downstage to

LEWIS)

FASTRADA
Lewis! Lewis! Guess what Mommy has for you...Surprise!

(SHE gives LEWIS a breastplate)

LEWIS
Oh, thank you, Mother. Look at this! Isn’t it a beauty?

PIPPIN
It really is beautiful.

FASTRADA
Welcome home, Pippin.
(Blowing a kiss to CHARLES)
My darling.

LEWIS
Can you imagine how I’ll shine in the sun?

(FASTRADA lovingly helps LEWIS put on the breast-

plate)

FASTRADA
Darling, you look beautiful. Doesn’t he, Charles?

(LEWIS begins to strut around, showing off his new

armor)

Oh, Pippin, stand up straight. Didn’t they teach you posture at Padua?

PIPPIN
I failed posture.
(HE slumps deliberately)

FASTRADA
Notice how straight Lewis stands...

PIPPIN
Oh, yes, he’s a real straightstander...no question about that.

LEWIS
DSHS Pippin 12
Look how I shine.
(Crosses with swordplay)
Hah, Visigoths!
(Exits)

FASTRADA
We’re so proud of Lewis, aren’t we, dear? Oh, my darling, before I forget, the
royal treasurer informs me I’ve overdrawn my allowance account.

CHARLES
You’re overdrawn again...?

FASTRADA
Now, now, my lord, don’t be angry with. You know how confused I get about
money. After all, I am just an ordinary housewife and mother... (To audi-
ence) ...just like all you housewives and mothers out there. (SHE goes)

CHARLES
You know, sometimes I wonder if her treats are worth her tricks.

(Turns to PIPPIN)
Well, son, now we can have our little chat. How’ve things been going with
you?

PIPPIN...
Well, not very well. Father, there were a lot of...

CHARLES...
(Interrupting him. HE sings)
WELCOME HOME, SON, WELCOME HOME
I’M SO GLAD TO HEAR THERE’S NOTHING WRONG
WELCOME HOME SON, GLAD YOU’RE HOME
WILL YOU BE STAYING LONG?

PIPPIN
Well. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Father. I wanted to ask
you...

CHARLES
(Going on)
WELCOME HOME, SON, WELCOME HOME
WELL, I’VE GOT TO GO, IT’S ALMOST NOON.

PIPPIN
But, Father, I wanted to ask you something...

CHARLES
(Going on)
WELCOME HOME, SON, GLAD YOU’RE HOME
WE’LL TALK AGAIN SOON...
DSHS Pippin 13
 PIPPIN
Good idea. Thank you, Sir.

CHARLES
(Starts, off then turns)
Oh, Pippin...

PIPPIN
Yes, Sir?

CHARLES
ONE MORE THOUGHT I WOULD IMPART IS...
I MAY BLUSH BUT I’LL BE FRANK...

PIPPIN
DO, SIR...

CHARLES
(A pause, then nothing but a clichй)
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.
(To himself)
Why did I say that?

PIPPIN
THANK YOU, SIR.
(To himself)
Why did he say that?

(CHARLES goes. Music begins)

leading player
The preparations for the Visigoth campaign were reaching a peak. Marks-
men tested themselves against the butts.

(Arrows fly across the stage)

Swordsmen tested themselves against each other.

(Upstage, swordsmen duel)

The panoply of war was being assembled. The sights and sounds of glory
were in the air.

SOLDIERS
(Scream)
Glory!
(Exit)

PIPPIN
Glory’s in the air! Glory is in the air! Glory is in the air! And what am I do-
DSHS Pippin 14
ing? Running around like an idiot.

(A PLAYER enters, wearing a helmet and carrying

weapons)

A PLAYER
(Handing PIPPIN a sword)
Your sword, sir.

(Looks more closely)

Oh, excuse me. I thought you were a warrior.

PIPPIN
No, no, no, wait. I’ll keep it.

A PLAYER
But you’re not one of us...

PIPPIN
I’m Prince Pippin.

A PLAYER
Who?

PIPPIN
Prince Pippin. One day I will be king.
(Rises on tiptoes)

a PLAYER
And one day I’ll be Queen.

(A PLAYER goes. PIPPIN looks at the sword and

lunges with it)

PIPPIN
Hah, Visigoths!
(To audience)
I think I’d better talk to my father.

(the set changes to CHARLES’ court. Lights up on

CHARLES as HE enters)

FEMALE COURTIER
The royal court of Charles the Great, emperor of the Holey Roman empire.

CHARLES
And a master in the bedroom...

COURTIER
DSHS Pippin 15
 And a master in the bedroom...

(Indicating with a “so so” gesture of her hand that

CHARLES isn’t much of a master.)

...is prepared to hear petitions.

(Lights up on BARON)

BARON
Oh, great leader, blessed by God, sent to us from Heaven to protect us from
the Infidel...

CHARLES
(Impatient)
Oh, what is it?

BARON
I beseech you to reduce my levy of footsoldiers, cattle and wheat. Due to a
famine...

CHARLES
(Interrupting)
Denied. Next.

BARON
But, sire, my cattle are dying and my fields are barren...

CHARLES
Denied. Next.

BARON
But, sire, that is unjust and tyrannical. I object...

CHARLES
Take that man away and hang him!

(The LEADING PLAYER steps from behind the stair-

case and places the noose around the BARON’s
neck dragging him offstage.)

baron
Charlie, you are a tyrant!!!

charles

Next!
PETITIONER
(Stepping forward)
Oh, great leader, blessed by God, sent to us from Heaven...
DSHS Pippin 16
 CHARLES
Oh, no. Not all that horsecrap again. Out! Out! Everybody out! Council is
dismissed.

PIPPIN
Wait! Father...

CHARLES
Yes?

PIPPIN
I know what I want to do now.

CHARLES
Good. Good.

PIPPIN
I want to be a soldier.

CHARLES
What!

PIPPIN
Yes, I want to join you in your campaign against the Visigoths.

CHARLES
Denied.

PIPPIN
But that’s not fair.

CHARLES
To an emperor fairness is irrelevant.

PIPPIN
You’re taking Lewis.

CHARLES
(Coming down from his throne)
Yes, well, your brother Lewis is an ideal soldier. He is strong and stupid.
You, on the other hand are educated.

PIPPIN
Father, I have to talk to you...

charles
I am busy...

pippin
DSHS Pippin 17
 You are always either busy or drunk.

charles
Or suffering the insults of ungrateful offspring.

Pippin
I’m sorry, Father.

charles
Well, very well. Go ahead. I’m listening.

pippin
But, I’m your oldest son. That means I might be king one day. Fighting wars
is an important part of being king, isn’t it?

CHARLES
Fighting wars is the most important part of being king. I mean after all, the
Pope and I have dedicated ourselves to bringing Christianity to the entire
world...

PIPPIN
Well, that’s what I’m talking about. You’re dedicated to something, and I
just want to be dedicated to something, too...with all my heart and soul...
and whatever it is, I want to do it as well as I possible can. Otherwise, my
life won’t have any meaning at all.

CHARLES
Oh, you want your life to have meaning, do you?

PIPPIN
Yes, I do.

CHARLES
Well, that’s very ambitious of you, Pippin.

PIPPIN
Father, stop all this...horsecrap...and take me with you.

CHARLES
(Surprised at PIPPIN’s language)
Oh, ho, ho.
(A moment)
That’s more like it. Very well, then. Get yourself a decent helmet and come
along.

(CHARLES goes. The LEADING PLAYER enters from

the wings and puts a helmet on PIPPIN’s head.
PIPPIN looks at the LEADING PLAYER)

PIPPIN
DSHS Pippin 18
I’m a soldier?

LEADING PLAYER
Right.

(HE goes. PIPPIN turns to the audience)

PIPPIN
Me, a warrior. Finally, a chance to be part of something important. A chance
to use my sword...my arm...and maybe, even my blood...

(The drum roll which has been under all this be-
comes intense)

A SOLDIER
Blood!

A SOLDIER
Glory!

(The stage begins to fill with MEN in full battle

regalia. There is a short dance as the set changes
from court to the tent of CHARLEMAGNE)

DSHS Pippin 19
 Scene 3
WAR

CHARLES
Gentlemen, be seated. Map!

(A map is lowered from the flies)

Well, gentlemen, it’s been a long, hard march. This is where we are...

(Indicating to the map)

Here. Tomorrow morning at sunrise we go against the Visigoths.

PIPPIN
(Jumping to his feet)
Hah, Visigoths!

CHARLES
Pippin, sit down.
(PIPPIN sits)
Now the main factor in tomorrow’s battle is the terrain. So look at this map.
Study it. Remember it.

PIPPIN
Father, why can’t we just go out there and slaughter them?

CHARLES
You spoke, Pippin?

PIPPIN
Since we’re braver and stronger and have god on our side, can’t we just go
out there and kill at will?

CHARLES
War is a science, Pippin.

PIPPIN
That takes half the fun out of it right there.

CHARLES
There’s plenty of fun when you win.

(Sings)

WAR IS A SCIENCE
WITH RULES TO BE APPLIED
WHICH GOOD SOLDIERS APPRECIATE
RECALL AND RECAPITULATE
BEFORE THEY GO TO DECIMATE
DSHS Pippin 20
THE OTHER SIDE

(Spoken)

Now, gentlemen, this is the plan for tomorrow’s skirmish.

THE ARMY OF THE ENEMY IS STATIONED ON THE HILL

SO WE’VE GOT TO GET THEM DOWN HERE, AND THIS IS HOW WE WILL
OUR MEN IN THE RAVINE (THAT’S THIS AREA IN GREEN)
WILL MOVE ACROSS THE VALLEY WHERE THEY PLAINLY CAN BE SEEN
AND THE ENEMY (IN BLUE) WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PURSUE
FOR THAT’S WHAT YOU DEPEND UPON AN ENEMY TO DO.

THEN TO GUARANTEE THEIR FOLLY

WE’LL BRING BOWMEN INTO PLAY
WHO WILL FIRE JUST ONE VOLLEY
AND RETIRE TO POINT “A”.

AND THEN, AND THEN,

AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN...

PIPPIN
AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY
CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY
HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS
JUBILATIONS! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION’S CHEERS!

CHARLES
Pippin, sit down immediately.

PIPPIN
I’m sorry, Father. I just got carried away.
(PIPPIN sits)

CHARLES
(Long, disapproving look at PIPPIN)
Now, where was I? Ah, yes...

WAR IS A SCIENCE
A BREEDING GROUND FOR BREAINS
FOR THOUGH I CANNOT WRITE MY NAME
THE MEN WHOSE PENS HAVE BROUGHT THEM FAME
WRITE ENDLESS PARAGRAPHS EXPLAINING
MY CAMPAIGNS.

NOW WHEN THE FOE SEE OUR SOLDIERS MARCHING THROUGH THE LEA
THEY WILL MOUNT A CHARGE AND MEET AT US AT THE POINT I’VE LABELLED
“B”
AND THEIR BOWMEN ON THE HILL (IN YELLOW ON THE MAP)
WILL LEAVE THEIR POSTS TO JOIN THE REST AND FALL INTO OUT TRAP
DSHS Pippin 21
 THEN WE’LL CUT OFF REINFORCEMENTS AND RETREAT OF ANY KIND
BEARING PRINCIPLES OF ENFILADE AND DEFILADEIN MIND.

AND IF ALL THE PLOYS WE PICK TO REALLY

WORK TO BRING TO PASS OCCUR
WE WON’T HAVE JUST A VICTORY
WE’LL HAVE OURSELVES A MASSACRE
AND THEN, AND THEN,
AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN...

PIPPIN
AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY
CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY
HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS
JUBILATIONS! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION’S...

CHARLES
Pippin...!

PIPPIN
I’m sorry, Father. It won’t happen again.

CHARLES
(Looks at PIPPIN and shakes his head)

In conclusion, gentlemen...

NOW LISTEN TO ME CLOSELY, I’LL ENDEAVOR TO EXPLAIN

WHAT SEPARATES A CHARLATAN FROM A CHARLEMAGNE
A RULE CONFESSED BY GENERALS ILLUSTRIOUS AND VARIOUS
THOUGH POMPOUS AS A POMPEY OR DARING AS A DARIUS
A SIMPLE RULE THAT EVERY GREAT MAN LEARNS BY HEART
IT’S SMARTER TO BE LUCKY THAN IT’S LUCKY TO BE SMART.

AND IF THE FATES FEEL FRIVOLOUS

AND ALL OUR PLANSE THEY SMOTHER
WELL SUPPOSE THIS WAR DOES SHRIVEL US
THERE’LL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER!

AND THEN...

ALL
AND THEN...

CHARLES
AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN...
(Spoken)
Now, gentlemen, now!

(The SOLDIERS rise from the benches with swords

DSHS Pippin 22
 in hand, and the music changes to a softshoe
which the SOLDIERS proceed to do as THEY sing)

SOLDIERS
AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY
CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY
HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS
JUBILATIONS!
WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION’S CHEERS!

(THEY exit. CHARLES, PIPPIN, and LEWIS are alone

on stage. During the first part of the following
scene, the SOLDIERS come back onstage and take
out the benches)

lewis
(Patting CHARLES on the back.)
Nicely done, father.

CHARLES
(Confronting PIPPIN)
Pippin, I find your attitude very disturbing.

PIPPIN
Oh, Father, I’m sorry. It was just all that talk about enfilade and defilade...

CHARLES
Now remember this, Pippin...the Visigoth king across the valley is talking
about enfilade and defilade, too. That’s the way it’s done.

PIPPIN
I’ll know better next time.

CHARLES
I certainly hope so. Well, there’s just one other thing. I always like to spend
the night before battle praying. I would like my two sons to join me.
(CHARLES kneels. LEWIS and PIPPIN kneel on ei-
ther side of him)
Oh God, we who fight in your name and in the name of your Son, ask for vic-
tory in combat tomorrow...

PIPPIN
Father, is the Visigoth king praying for victory, too?

CHARLES
Oh yes. Old King Aleric is one of the best prayers in the business.
(LEADING PLAYER enters as a drum roll is heard)
Lewis, Pippin, It’s time.

LEWIS
DSHS Pippin 23
 You’re going to be very proud of me, Father.
(CHARLES looks at PIPPIN)

PIPPIN
I will try not to disgrace you, sir.

CHARLES
Very well, follow me.

(CHARLES, LEWIS and PIPPIN march off. The LEAD-

ING PLAYER is alone onn stage. The music begins
and HE sings)

LEADING PLAYER
BATTLES, BARBAROUS AND BLOODY
(HE’s thrown a hat and a cane from offstage which HE puts on)
GLORY! GLORY!
GLORY! GLORY!
PRAISE BE TO CHARLES OUR LORD
TRIUMPHANT IS HIS SWARD
ALLEGIANCE IS HIS WORD
GLORY! GLORY!
GLORY! GLORY!

BLOOD!

BLOOD IS RED AS SUNSET

BLOOD IS WARMER THAN WINE
WARMER THAN WINE
THE TASTE OF SALTY SUMMER BRINE
UH HUH

(The SOLDIERS enter in a battle formation behind

the LEADING PLAYER)

STEEL!

ALL
STEEL IS COLD AS MOONLIGHT
STEEL IS SHARPER THAN SIGHT
SHARPER THAN SIGHT
THE TOUCH OF BITTER WINTER WHITE

SOLDIERS
SHOUT IT OUT FROM THE HIGHEST TOWER
SHOUT IT OUT IN THE DARKEST HOUR
CHARLEMAGNE, YOU LEAD US ON TO

ALL
POWER!
DSHS Pippin 24
 LEADING PLAYER
WAR!

SOLDIERS
WAR IS STRICT AS JESUS WAR
WAR IT’S FINER THAN SPRING WAR

LEADING PLAYER AND 2 SOLDIERS

SERVICE TO CHRIST AND TO OUR

ALL
KING.
SHOUT IT OUT FROM THE HIGHEST TOWER
SHOUT IT OUT IN THE DARKEST HOUR
CHARLEMAGNE, YOU LEAD US ON TO POWER...

(The stage becomes a radio station.)

ALL
THE GATES OF HEAVEN AWAIT
THROWN WIDE BY CHARLES THE GREAT
WE FOLLOW HIM THROUGH BY SERVING HIS STATE
DOO-DO-DOO-DO DOO-DO-DOO-DO WOO
DOO-DO-DOO-DO DOO-DO-DOO-DO WOO
THE GATES OF HEAVEN AWAIT
THROWN WIDE BY CHARLES THE GREAT
DOO-DO-DOO-DO DOO-DO-DOO-DO

LEADING PLAYER
Hey, let’s hear it for a couple of those old time favorites still on the charts.
War of the Roses 32,000 killed or wounded. And that sentimental favorite
World War I 8.5 million killed, 32 million wounded. And let’s not forget that
all-time favorite World War Two, the most destructive war in human history,
with 72 million killed or wounded...

(The LEADING PLAYER and TWO SOLDIERS do a

dance behind which killings are taking place in
limbo. At one point, PIPPIN crosses the stage with
blood on his hand, and a SOLDIER crosses with a
head on a pike-staff)

LEADING PLAYER
(When the dance is at an end)
Ta dum.
(The LEADING PLAYER is alone on stage. HE comes
down and sits on the playform, legs crossed)

WAR IS STRICT AS JESUS

DSHS Pippin 25
 (The stage is littered with limbs and bodies and
heads, etc.)

WAR IS FINER THAN SPRING

(More limbs are thrown on stage. The SOLDIERS

enter and begin to go through the bodies look-
ing for valuables. The LEADING PLAYER rises and
moves toward them. He suddenly turns toward the
audience.)

leading player
Nah...You aint’ seen nothing yet, folks.

ALL
THE GATES OF HEAVEN AWAIT
THROWN WIDE BY CHARLES THE GREAT
WE FOLLOW HIM THROUGH BY SERVING HIS STATE

(The shadow of CHARLES is projected on a drop

behind them, larger than life)

ALL
GLORY! GLORY!
GLORY! GLORY!
GLORY!
Yeah!

CHARLES
We’ve won!

SOLDIERS
We’ve won. (The SOLDIERS begin to walk among the bodies)

LEWIS
I killed at least twenty-five of them myself, Father.

CHARLES
Yes, you and Pippin both did very well. Well, now we rape and sack.

(PIPPIN who has entered looks dubious at the pros-

pect)

Oh yes, it’s required. We also have to sing. That’s absolutely essential to

victory...

(Music starts and the SOLDIERS dance into forma-

tion and dance off during the following)

DSHS Pippin 26
CHARLES SOLDIERS
Fall to, men. Eat. Drink. AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY
Rape. Give thanks to God CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY
Who granted us this, Vic- HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS
tory. JUBILATION! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION CHEER!

(PIPPIN is alone on stage. HE moves among the

dismembered pieces. After a moment, to the audi-
ence)

I thought there’d be more plumes.

(Then, softly, sings)

RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE
EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY
I’VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE
GOT TO FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY...

(The LEADING PLAYER and a player with a guitar

enter from upstage)

DSHS Pippin 27
 Scene 4
THE FLESH

LEADING PLAYER
(Comes forward and sings)
WELL, I’LL SING YOU THE STORY OF A SORROWFUL LAD
HAD EVERYTHING HE WANTED, DIDN’T WANT WHAT HE HAD
HE HAD WEALTH AND PELF AND FAME AND NAME AND ALL OF THAT NOISE
BUT HE DIDN’T HAVE NONE OF THOSE SIMPLE JOYS
HIS LIFE SEEMED PURPOSELESS AND FLAT
AREN’T YOU GLAD YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE THAT?

(PIPPIN runs offstage)

SO HE RAN FROM ALL THE DEEDS HE’D DONE,

HE RAN FROM THE THINGS HE’D JUST BEGUN
HE RAN FROM HIMSELF, NOW THAT’S MIGHTY FAR TO RUN
OUT INTO THE COUNTRY WHERE HE PLAYED AS A BOY
HE KNEW HE HAD TO FIND HIM SOME SIMPLE JOYS
HE WANTED SOME PLACE WARM AND GREEN
WE ALL COULD USE A CHANGE OF SCENE

(The set changes into a country setting, grass,

trees and sun)

SWEET SUMMER EVENINGS, HOT WINE AND BREAD

SHARING YOUR SUPPER, SHARING YOUR BED
SIMPLE JOYS HAVE A SIMPLE VOICE...
IT SAYS WHY NOT GO AHEAD?
WOULDN’T YOU RATHER BE A LEFT-HANDED FLEA
OR A CRAB ON A SLAB AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
THAN A MAN WHO NEVER LEARNS HOW TO BE FREE
NOT ‘TILL HE’S COLD AND DEAD.

SWEET SUMMER EVENINGS SO FULL OF SOUND

GAINING A LOVER, GAINING A POUND
SIMPLE JOYS HAVE A SIMPLE VOICE
IT SAYS... TAKE A LOOK AROUND
AND WOULDN’T YOU RATHER BE A LEFT-HANDED FLEA
A CRAB ON A SLAB AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
ON A NEWT ON THE ROOT OF A BANYAN TREE
THAN A MAN WHO NEVER LEARNS HOW TO BE FREE
NOT ‘TILL HE’S UNDERGROUND

(Spoken)
Enter Berthe.
(A chair turns around and reveals BERTHE)

Pippin’s grandmother; warm, strong...

DSHS Pippin 28
 BERTHE
Still attractive...

LEADING PLAYER
Still attractive. Charlemagne’s mother. Exiled from court due to a personal-
ity conflict with her daughter-in-law, Fastrada. Now living in the country
where she enjoys those...

(Sings)
SWEET SUMMER EVENINGS, SAPPHIRE SKIES
FEASTING HER BELLY, FEASTING HER EYES
SIMPLE JOYS HAVE A SIMPLE VOICE
IT SAYS TIME’S LIVING’S PRIZE
AND WOULDN’T YOU
RATHER BE A LEFT-HANDED FLEA
A CRAB ON A SLAB AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
A NEWT ON A ROOT OF A BANYAN TREE
OR A FIG ON A TWIG IN GALILEE
THAN A MAN WHO NEVER LEARNS HOW TO BE FREE
NOT TILL THE DAY
NOT TILL THE DAY
NOT TILL THE DAY
NOT TILL THE DAY HE DIES!
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

(HE exits, and as HE does PIPPIN enters)

PIPPIN
Berthe.

BERTHE
(Having trouble with her needlework)
Damn! I hate needlepoint!

PIPPIN
Berthe...

BERTHE
Yes...? What is it...?

PIPPIN
It’s me. Pippin.

BERTHE
Pippin...Pippin...? Pippin. Oh, Pippin, I can’t believe it.

(SHE holds out her arms. PIPPIN embraces her)

Oh, how good it is to hold you...to hold you like I used to when you were a
little boy. Remember, Pippin?
DSHS Pippin 29
 PIPPIN
Well of course I remember. That’s why I came here.

BERTHE
Oh Pippin, you look terrible. You need some fresh air, some sun, and good
food.

(Then with a twinkle)

...some frolicking.

PIPPIN
Grandma, you haven’t changed a bit.

BERTHE
But you have Pippin. Now something is the matter...what have you been do-
ing with yourself?

PIPPIN
I went to war, Grandma.

BERTHE
No wonder you look so terrible. Men and their wars. Sometimes I think men
raise flags when they can’t get anything else up.

PIPPIN
Grandma, sometimes you really say shocking things.

BERTHE
I try my best. But Pippin, what’s wrong?

PIPPIN
I don’t know, Grandma. I feel empty and vacant...

BERTHE
Empty and vacant? Now, Pippin. You listen to me...you’re going to hear
something very...
(Indicating quotes)
...”wise”. Now don’t take life so seriously. Just take things as they come
along. Don’t do too much planning, and don’t do too much thinking. How’s
that for wisdom so far?

PIPPIN
(Tentative)
Well frankly, Grandma, it sounds pretty dull.

BERTHE
It’ll sound better with music. Maestro.
(Sings)
DSHS Pippin 30
WHEN YOU ARE AS OLD AS I, MY DEAR
AND I HOPE THAT YOU NEVER ARE
YOU WILL WOEFULLY WONDER WY, MY DEAR
THROUGH YOUR CATARACTS AND CATARRH
YOU COULD SQUANDER AWAY OR SEQUESTER
A DROP OF A PRECIOUS YEAR
FOR WHEN YOUR BEST DAYS ARE YESTER
THE REST ‘ER TWICE AS DEAR...

WHAT GOOD IS A FIELD ON A FINE SUMMER NIGHT

IF YOU SIT ALL ALONE WITH THE WEEDS?
OR A SUCCULENT PEAR IF WITH EACH JUICY BITE
YOU SPIT OUT YOUR TEETH WITH THE SEEDS?
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE STOP TRYING TO WAIT
FOR FORTUNE AND FATE YOU’RE SECURE OF
FOR THERE’S ONE THING TO BE SURE OF, MATE...
THERE’S NOTHING TO BE SURE OF.

OH, IT’S TIME TO START LIVIN’

TIME TO TAKE A LITTLE FROM THIS WORLD WE’RE GIVEN
TIME TO TAKE TIME, CAUSE SPRING WILL TURN TO FALL
IN JUST NO TIME AT ALL...

(PIPPIN jumps to his feet)

PIPPIN
But Grandma, it’ time that I’m worried about.

BERTHE
Now you sit down. And don’t say anything until I’m finished. I’ve got three
more choruses to do. But you all can join in with me if you wish...

(To audience)

And that goes for all of you out there, too. But just the choruses, the verses
are all mine.
(Sings)
I’VE NEVER WONDERED IF I WAS AFRAID
WHEN THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO TAKE
I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT HOW MUCH I WEIGHED
WHEN THERE WAS STILL ONE PIECE OF CAKE
MAYBE IT’S MEANT THE HOURS I’VE SPENT
FEELING BROKEN AND BENT AND UNWELL
BUT THERE’S STILL NO CURE SO HEAVEN-SENT
AS THE CHANCE TO RAISE SOME HELL.

(The BOYS join her. A song sheet is lowered behind

her, and the words of the song are delineated by a
bouncing ball of light)

DSHS Pippin 31
 Everybody...

ALL
OH, IT’S TIME TO START LIVIN’
TIME TO TAKE A LITTLE FROM THIS WORLD WE’RE GIVEN
TIME TO TAKE TIME, CAUSE SPRING WILL TURN TO FALL
IN JUST NO TIME AT ALL

BERTHE
Verse!
NOW WHEN THE DREARIES DO ATTACK
AND A SIEGE OF THE SADS BEGINS
I THROW THESE REGAL SHOULDERS BACK
AND LIFT THESE NOBLE CHINS
GIVE ME A MAN WHO IS HANDSOME AND STRONG
SOMEONE WHO’S STALWART AND STEADY
GIVE ME A NIGHT THAT’S ROMANTIC AND LONG
THEN GIVE ME A MONTH TO GET READY
NOW I COULD WAYLAY SOME AGING ROUE
AND PERSUADE HIM TO PLAY IN SOME CRANNY
BUT IT’S HARD TO BELIVE I’M BEING LED ASTRAY
BY A MAN WHO CALLS YOU GRANNY

(Spoken)

One more time! Come on boys! And this time let’s hear it from everybody!
One! Two! Three! Four!

ALL
OH, IT’S TIME TO START LIVIN’

(BERTHE encourages the audience to sing along.

SHE shouts “Everybody”)

TIME TO TAKE A LITTLE FROM THIS WORLD WE’RE GIVEN

TIME TO TAKE TIME, CAUSE SPRING WILL TURN TO FALL
IN JUST NO TIME AT ALL.

BERTHE
Come on! You ought to know it by now

ALL
OH, IT’S TIME TO START LIVIN’
TIME TO TAKE A LITTLE FROM THIS WORLD WE’RE GIVEN
TIME TO TAKE TIME, CAUSE SPRING WILL TURN TO FALL
IN JUST NO TIME AT ALL.

BERTHE
Out! Out!
SAGES TWEET THAT AGE IS SWEET
DSHS Pippin 32
GOOD DEEDS AND GOOD WORK EARN YOU LAURELS
BUT WHAT COULD MAKE YOU FEEL MORE ABSOLETE
THAN BEING NOTED FOR YOUR MORALS?

HERE IS A SECRET I NEVER HAVE TOLD

MAYBE YOU’LL UNDERSTAND WHY
I BELIEVE IF I REFUSE TO GROW OLD
I CAN STAY YOUNG TILL I DIE
NOW, I’VE KNOWN THE FEARS OF SIXTY-SIX YEARS
I’VE HAD TROUBLES AND TEARS BY THE SCORE
BUT THE ONLY THING I’D TRADE THEM FOR
IS SIXTY-SEVENMORE...

ALL
OH, IT’S TIME TO START...

BERTHE

(Stopping the BOYS and audience from singing)

Aaaah!

(To the man in the light booth controlling the

bouncing ball)

And you up there...out!

(The arc goes out)

Now let me take this one all by myself, all right?

(The BOYS join BERTHE-making a chair for her

with their arms. THEY lift her up. SHE sings)

OH, IT’S TIME TO KEEP LIVIN’

TIME TO KEEP TAKIN’ FROM THE WORLD I’M GIVEN
YOU ARE MY TIME, SO I’LL THROW OFF MY SHAWL
AND WATCHING YOUR FLINGS BE FLUNG ALL OVER
MAKES ME FEEL YOUNG ALL OVER

BERTHE AND BOYS

IN JUST NO TIME AT ALL...

(The BOYS carry BERTHE offstage and SHE shouts

to PIPPIN)

BERTHE
Remember that, Pippin!

(The screen goes out. PIPPIN turns to the audience)

DSHS Pippin 33
 PIPPIN...
She’s absolutely right. It’s time for me to start living...and stop worrying.
Maybe that’s the secret. Just to enjoy all of the simple things in life. The
fresh air. The cool, clean water. The fresh fruit off of the...

(HE reaches for a fruit and the spot reveals a GIRL

with grapes in her hands.)

Oh yes...

(Now the light reveals a terrific looking GIRL at

one corner of the stage. PIPPIN looks at her. PIPPIN
looks to the audience)

..and women.

(The LEADING PLAYER enters)

LEADING PLAYER

(Sings to the audience, indicating the GIRL)

SEX PRESENTED PASTORALLY...

(HE goes)

PIPPIN
Of course...women...

(HE sings to the GIRL)

MY DAYS ARE BRIGHTER THAN MORNING AIR

EVERGREEN PINE AND AUTUMN BLUE
BUT ALL MY DAYS WERE TWICE AS FAIR
IF I COULD SHARE
MY DAYS WITH YOU

(A light now reveals another GIRL and PIPPIN goes

to her. To the first GIRL)

Excuse me.

(Now with the next GIRL)

MY NIGHTS ARE WARMER THAN FIRECOALS

INCENSE AND STARS AND SMOKE BAMBOO
BUT NIGHTS WERE WARM BEYOND COMPARE

(His attention is drawn from one GIRL to another

DSHS Pippin 34
 by the LATTER’s stimulating caress, and HE ad-
dresses this GIRL now)

IF I COULD SHARE
MY NIGHTS WITH YOU

(Two more GIRLS come to PIPPIN, and soon HE is

singing to ALL of them as THEY gather around
him)

TO DANCE IN MY DREAMS
TO SHINE WHEN I NEED THE SUN
WITH YOU
TO HOLD ME WHEN DREAMS ARE DONE

AND OH...
MY DEAREST LOVE
IF YOU WILL TAKE MY LOVE
THEN ALL MY DREAMS ARE TRULY BEGUN

AND TIME WEAVES RIBBONS OF MEMORY

TO SWEETEN LIFE WHEN YOUTH IS THROUGH
BUT I WOULD NEED NO MEMORIES THERE
IF I COULD SHARE
MY LIFE WITH YOU.

(Now a dance by TWO GIRLS. It is simple and soft,

and when this section of the dance is over the
GIRLS gently rock PIPPIN, and one of them takes
his hand and gently places it on her breast)

PIPPIN
(Smiling, turns to the audience)
I found it.

(Now the BOYS enter. THREE other GIRLS do a

calypso dance and the BOYS chant rhythmically
to the GIRLS’ movements. The dance becomes
increasingly more exotic. ALL the BOYS and the
GIRLS become involved. PIPPIN’s enthusiasm slow-
ly begins to flag, and by the end of the dance HE is
exhausted and repelled)

A GIRL
Pippin, come on, Pippin, we’ve got more for you.

(THEY ALL come toward him, enticing him, saying,

“Come on, Pippin”... “There’s more, Pippin”...etc.)

PIPPIN
DSHS Pippin 35
 (Trying to get away from them)

Enough. That’s enough. Leave me alone.

(HE shakes himself out as THEY ALL leave. PIPPIN

sits on a hay wagon which has been rolled on. The
LEADING PLAYER appears)

LEADING PLAYER
Boy, when you frolic, you really frolic, don’t you. How do you feel now?

PIPPIN
I feel empty and vacant. There’s got to be something worthwhile that I can
do with my life.

LEADING PLAYER
Hey, you just started. There are so many things to try...

PIPPIN
Like what?

LEADING PLAYER

(Pause)

Like taking a look at this...

(HE hands PIPPIN a newspaper)

A COURIER

(Excessively cheery, as are all Couriers in scene)

Good morning. Peasants revolt. King slays thousands.

PIPPIN
Hey, look at this.

A COURIER
Hello there. Peasants protesting a rise in taxes were slaughtered yesterday
by Charlemagne’s soldiers. The king warned that any further dissent would
be treated in the same manner.

PIPPIN
Oh, I can’t believe that. My father would never slaughter people just for
protesting. That can’t be true.

LEADING PLAYER
Now would a newspaper print anything that wasn’t true?
DSHS Pippin 36
 (PIPPIN turns page)

A COURIER
Hi. Third massacre to bring new laws from crown. All political activities
henceforth to be rigidly controlled.

PIPPIN
But my father can’t just tell people what to think...

LEADING PLAYER
Why not? He’s the king?

PIPPIN
I don’t care. People have the right to speak out freely.

LEADING PLAYER
There’s no doubt about that.

PIPPIN
Well, something’s got to be done about it...

LEADING PLAYER
You’re absolutely right.

PIPPIN
We’re surrounded by injustice and tyranny...

LEADING PLAYER
And prejudice. Don’t forget about prejudice...

(The LEADING PLAYER motions for some MEN to

come on. During the next speech HE helps them
hurriedly turn the hay wagon into a campaign
platform)

PIPPIN
I’m finally beginning to see what my father really is. He forces people to
fight and die over land that they couldn’t care less about...

LEADING PLAYER

(Back to PIPPIN now)

That’s right...

PIPPIN
I think it’s time for a change.

LEADING PLAYER
DSHS Pippin 37
 (Mounting the platform)

It is time for a change

PIPPIN
We’ve got to dedicate ourselves to a better world for all people.

LEADING PLAYER

(Testing the microphones)

Testing...testing.

PIPPIN

(Mounting the platform)

Peace and justice must be restored to this...

(Into the microphone)

...great land.

(Suddenly, there are cheers over the speaker, as if

PIPPIN were the keynote speaker in a convention
hall. HE acknowledges the applause)

The tyrant must be overthrown...

(A PLAYER puts a politician’s straw hat in PIPPIN’s

hand)

...terror and bloodshed must be ended....

(to the LEADING PLAYER)

I’m a politician.

(the LEADING PLAYER swaps out his hat for a dif-

ferent hat.)
Leading Player
You’re a Revolutionary. Sweetie, you’re beautiful!

Pippin
We need a leader with the wisdom and the courage to sweep out the old
order and create a better world...

(More cheers)

DSHS Pippin 38
Down with Charles! Up with... ...ME!

(The platform is taken off, cheering, music and

PIPPIN’s campaign promises’ fade out. The lights
come up on FASTRADA and LEWIS who have been
watching some of this scene. SHE speaks to the
audience)

DSHS Pippin 39
 Scene 5
REVOLUTION

FASTRADA
Terrible. A son speaking against his very own father that way. I’d rather be
drawn and quartered than think I was in any way responsible for what hap-
pened next. After all, I’m just an ordinary housewife and mother, just like
all you housewives and mothers out there. Word had come to me that Pip-
pin was holding secret meetings...of a treasonous nature.

(Lights down on FASTRADA and LEWIS. PIPPIN’S

FOLLOWERS enter. THEY are wearing cloaks)

MAN 1
Revolution!

MAN 2
Revolution!

MAN 3
Revolution!

MAN 4
Follow Pippin!

MAN 5
We pledge to stand by Pippin...forever!

ALL

(Putting hands together in pledge)

Forever!

(PIPPIN enters)
PIPPIN
Now gentlemen, first, let me say that I admire the dedication and the cour-
age which has brought you here this evening.

ALL
Forever!

PIPPIN
Thank you. Second, let me be honest about some of the dangers which may
lie ahead. If, during this insurrection, any one of us is caught, the King’s
vengeance will be swift and terrible.

(During the course of the following speech, one by

one, ALL of the MEN leave quietly without PIPPIN’s
knowledge)

DSHS Pippin 40
You will undoubtedly be tortured, broken on the wheel... cruelly maimed...
even dismembered... But I am sure that the prospect of these terrible ago-
nies will not deter you from joining me in...

(HE turns around and sees that THEY are gone.

Then, to the audience)

They may appear frightened now. But once the deed is done, once action
against the King is taken, they will flock to my side...maybe.

(HE goes. Lights up again on FASTRADA and LEW-

IS. THEY gasp in horror over what THEY have just
heard)

FASTRADA AND LEWIS

Oh!

LEWIS
Mama, if Pippin kills Father...

FASTRADA
You’ll be next in line for the throne, darling.

LEWIS
But if Father discovers Pippin’s plot and executes him...

FASTRADA
You’ll be next in line for the throne, darling.

LEWIS
Mama, no matter what happens, I’ll move up?

FASTRADA
Yes, darling.

(Sings)
BACK IN MY YOUNGER DAYS, IF THINGS WERE GOING WRONG
I MIGHT SULK, I MIGHT POUT
NOW I’VE LEARNED IF I JUST PITCH IN AND DO WHAT’S RIGHT
THINGS WILL ALWAYS WORK OUT
AND IF WE ALL COULD SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE
ALL COULD LIGHT A LITTLE FIRE
WE ALL WOULD BE A LITTLE CLOSER
TO OUR HEART’S DESIRE
(Spoken)
In fear of my beloved husband’s life, I brought Pippin’s activities to his at-
tention...

(Lights up on CHARLES, who is standing on a high

platform above them)
DSHS Pippin 41
 Pippin is disloyal to you, my lord.

CHARLES
Every son is disloyal to his father at one time or another my lady...

FASTRADA
But Lewis loves you, my lord...

CHARLES
Lewis is an imbecile, my lady.

FASTRADA
(To audience)
Despite this rejection, I took upon my tiny shoulders the task of effecting a
rapprochement between two men for whom I felt...deeply.

(Sings)
LORD KNOWS WE’VE SEEN ENOUGH TROUBLES ALREADY, WE’VE
HAD OUR FILL OF GREY SKIES
SO PUT DOWN THE VINEGAR, TAKE UP THE HONEY JAR
YOU’LL CATCH MANY MORE FLIES
AND IF WE ALL COULD SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE
ALL COULD THINK BEFORE WE STRIKE
WE ALL WOULD BE A LITTLE CLOSER
TO THE WORLD WE’D LIKE

(Lights up on CHARLES again)

My lord?

CHARLES
Yes, my lady?

FASTRADA
Will you be praying at Arles next month?

CHARLES
No, I don’t think so.

FASTRADA
Oh, but my lord, you always feel so much better after your yearly prayer.

CHARLES
Yes I do, don’t I?

(Lights down on CHARLES)

FASTRADA
I sought out Pippin.
DSHS Pippin 42
 (Lights up on PIPPIN, who is atop a platform on the
other side of the stage)

You father loves you, Pippin.

PIPPIN
Freedom and dignity for all men is more important than the love between
one father and one son.

FASTRADA
Still, your name will be on his lips when he prays (Pause) at Arles next
month.

PIPPIN
He prays at Arles next month?

FASTRADA
Alone and unguarded.

PIPPIN
Alone and unguarded. What date?

FASTRADA
The fifteenth.

PIPPIN
What time?

FASTRADA
When the cock crows. Pippin, Pippin, I beg you to bring this estrangement
to an end.

PIPPIN
I intend to.

FASTRADA
May I tell your father of this resolve?

PIPPIN
No, no, no, no. Let it be a surprise.

FASTRADA
A surprise.
(To audience)
Isn’t that sweet?
(To PIPPIN)
Your intentions make me very happy.

DSHS Pippin 43
 PIPPIN
You’ve been a great help to me, Fastrada.

(Lights down on PIPPIN as FASTRADA and LEWIS

dance downstage laughing)

FASTRADA
Oh, what sweeter word could a mother hear.
(Sings)
I KNOW THE PARABLES TOLD IN THE HOLY BOOK
I KEEP CLOSE ON MY SHELF
GOD’S WISDOM TEACHES ME WHEN I HELP OTHERS, I’M
REALLY HELPING MYSELF
AND IF WE ALL COULD SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE
ALL COULD LEND A HELPING HAND
WE ALL WOULD BE A LITTLE CLOSER
TO THE PROMISED LAND.
CLOSER, CLOSER, CLOSER, CLOSER
CLOSER, CLOSER, CLOSER, CLOSER.

(FASTRADA and LEWIS dance a few steps, then SHE

speaks to the audience)

It later occurred to me that Pippin might be planning to harm my Charles. I

therefore decided to warn him...

(Lights up on CHARLES)

CHARLES
Well, I’m off to Arles to pray.

FASTRADA
(Bows low)

Good-bye, my lord...

(CHARLES goes. FASTRADA and LEWIS continue

their movements across the stage. Then, suddenly
stopping)

Oh dear. In the hustle and bustle of my lord’s departure I completely forgot

to warn him.

(SHE and LEWIS snap their fingers)

Oh my, what a busy day...

(SHE sends LEWIS off and HE exits)

Events move so swiftly it’s hard for a simple woman like me to keep up.
DSHS Pippin 44
But something tells me that one day...soon...I will be able to say what every
mother wants to say...”My son, the King”.

(At this point, a crown is lowered in and FASTRADA

takes the crown and does a dance with it. When it
is over SHE sings)

AND IF WE ALL COULD SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE

ALL COULD LEND A HELPING HAND
WE ALL WOULD BE A LITTLE CLOSER
TO THE PROMISED LAND
DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO
DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO
(Spoken)
After all, I’m just an ordinary housewife and mother, just like all you house-
wives and mothers out there...
(Sings)
DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO

(SHE dances off, waving good-bye to the audience.

As the lights fade on her and the set goes out, the
set for the chapel comes in and a light comes on
the LEADING PLAYER)

LEADING PLAYER...
INTRIGUE - PLOTS TO BRING DISASTER
The chapel at Arles.

(HE goes. Lights up on CHARLES, MONKS, and PIP-

PIN who is dressed as a monk)

CHARLES
(Sensing his presence)
It’s all right, Father. You may come in.

PIPPIN
I’m sorry to disturb you, my son. I know you like to pray alone.

CHARLES
You know who I am, Father?

PIPPIN
Of course, my son.

CHARLES
You want something from me perhaps... a favor... advancement?

PIPPIN
No.

DSHS Pippin 45
 CHARLES
Then what, Father?

PIPPIN
I’m here to be with you for one moment...to touch you...to look in your eyes.

CHARLES
And what do you see?

PIPPIN
Two eyes...a little cloudy with age...a sunset.

CHARLES
What else?

PIPPIN
The death of thousands...the slavery of millions...terror and bloodshed.

CHARLES
You see all that in my eyes?

PIPPIN
Do you deny it?

CHARLES
Deny it? I’m proud of it. I brought order out of chaos. If slavery, blood and
death are part of that order...so be it.

PIPPIN
But those are words from the past. Time has passed you my son.

CHARLES
And your time has come...my son?

PIPPIN
(Taking down the hood on his robe)
Yes, Father.

CHARLES
It’s easy from where you stand to judge the things that I have done. But
when I marched the dust of the road was in my nose and when I fought
the blood of the enemy was in my eyes. I sank in the mud on the shores of
the Volga. I drowned two legions in the Vistula. Why eagles, ospreys, even
vultures had a better view. From the heights all things are very clear. Birds
float on the wind. But, by God, I blew my breath across a continent and
shaped an empire with it.

(LEADING PLAYER enters and shakes Charles’

hand.)

DSHS Pippin 46
 Leading Player
That was beautiful, Charles.

charles
Did you like it?

Leading Player
Oh, I loved it.

(LEADING PLAYER exits.)

charles
So...you think you could do better than I?

PIPPIN
Yes, I do.

Charles
Well, if you truly believe that, there is only one thing that you can do.

(Hands PIPPIN a knife.)

Pippin
Thank you. I brought my own.

charles
Then why don’t you use it?

Pippin
Father, there must be another way...

Charles
None...so if you have no further business with me, go...and leave me with
my prayers.

Pippin
What do you pray for, Father?

CHARLES
Strength. And may God give you the same.

(PIPPIN strikes. CHARLES slowly sinks to the

ground, the knife in his back. The MONKS who have
been praying softly throughout the scene laugh
quietly. One by one THEY blow out their candles as
the lights go out on the chapel backdrop)

PIPPIN
(Sings)
WHY WON’T MY HAND STOP SHAKING
DSHS Pippin 47
 WHEN ALL THE EARTH IS STILL
WHEN ANCIENT GHOSTS ARE WAKING
SO MANY PLANS NEED MAKING
SO MANY STEPS NEED TAKING
I THINK I WILL
I THINK I WILL

(The LEADING PLAYER enters. The MONKS rise and

bow to PIPPIN)

MONK 1
Your majesty.

MONK 2
King Pippin.

MONK 3
Your majesty.

MONK 4
Your Highness.

MONK 5
King Pippin.

PIPPIN
King Pippin...
MORNING GLOW, MORNING GLOW
STARTS TO GLIMMER WHEN YOU KNOW
WINDS OF CHANGE ARE SET TO BLOW
AND SWEEP THIS WHOLE LAND THROUGH
MORNING GLOW IS LONG PAST DUE

(PIPPIN goes to CHARLES on ground and kneels.)

I’m sorry, Father. I hope I can make a better world.

(As the song progresses, the lights reveal a new

backdrop which, at the end, is brilliantly lit as if to
suggest a new hope. The REST of the PLAYERS now
enter and sing)

PIPPIN
MORNING GLOW FILL THE EARTH AH
COME AND SHINE FOR ALL YOUR WORTH
WE’LL BE PRESENT AT THE BIRTH
OF OLD FAITH LOOKING NEW
MORNING GLOW IS LONG PAST DUE

ALL
DSHS Pippin 48
OH, MORNING GLOW, I’D LIKE TO HELP YOU GROW

PIPPIN
WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED LONG AGO AH

PIPPIN AND ALL

SO, MORNING GLOW ALL DAY LONG
WHILE WE SING TOMORROW’S SONG
NEVER KNEW WE COULD BE SO STRONG
BUT NOW IT’S VERY CLEAR

PIPPIN
MORNING GLOW IS ALMOST HERE
MORNING GLOW BY YOUR LIGHT
WE CAN MAKE THE NEW DAY BRIGHT
AND THE PHANTOMS OF THE NIGHT
WILL FADE INTO THE PAST
MORNING GLOW IS HERE AT LAST

PIPPIN AND ALL

AT LAST

LEADING PLAYER
Long live the King!

ALL
(Sarcastically)
Long live the King.

(The LEADING PLAYER puts the crown on PIPPIN’s

head. It is much too big, however, and falls over
PIPPIN’s eyes)

PIPPIN
(Groping around)
I think it’s a little big.

LEADING PLAYER
(Taking the crown from PIPPIN)
Well, a little tissue paper ought to fix that right up.

(In the following speech, the MONKS slip out of

their robes and are now in their PLAYERS’ cos-
tumes again. The LEADING PLAYER calls out)

King Pippin, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire

(PIPPIN looks at him excitedly)

...is prepared to hear petitions.

DSHS Pippin 49
 PIPPIN
Come ahead. You will all be dealt with fairly. My invitation extends to high
and low alike.

(A BEGGAR kneels in the light)

BEGGAR
Sire, I am a poor man...

PIPPIN
You may stand. You may all stand...

(THEY all stand)

BEGGAR
Thank you, sire. I am a very poor man. I can’t find work. You have much and
I have nothing. Is that fair?

PIPPIN
No. That’s completely unfair. Treasurer?

(TREASURER steps into the light)

I order you to distribute money to the poor...

(THEY ALL applaud as the BEGGAR thanks him)

LEADING PLAYER
(Indicating PIPPIN’s future billing)
King Pippin, the Charitable...

(Lights up on a PEASANT)

PEASANT
Sire, I’m a peasant. A simple working man. I own not one millimeter of land
on which I’ve worked so hard all my life. Is that fair?

PIPPIN
No. That’s terrible. But I will do something about it. I hereby decree that
from now on all peasants will own the land that they cultivate.

(THEY ALL applaud)

LEADING PLAYER
King Pippin, the Just...

(Lights up on a NOBLE)

NOBLE
DSHS Pippin 50
Sire, now that you’ve given the land to the peasants, we loyal nobles have
no source of income. Therefore, we can no longer pay taxes.

PIPPIN
Well then I hereby abolish taxes.

(THEY ALL applaud)

SOLDIER
You realize sire without taxes you’ll have no money to support an army.

PIPPIN
That’s all right. I don’t need an army. That’s it. No more taxes, no more
army.

(THEY ALL applaud)

LEADING PLAYER
King Pippin, the Peaceful...

(FIELD MARSHALL enters)

FIELD MARSHALL
Sire, it is my duty to inform you that the Infidel hun has attacked in the
East.

PLAYERS
Oh!

FIELD MARSHALL
He has destroyed three villages...

PLAYERS
Oh!

FIELD MARSHALL
...raped hundreds of women...

PLAYERS
(Clinging together in horror)
Oh!

FIELD MARSHALL
Tortured and murdered thousands of your royal subjects.

PLAYERS
Oh!

PIPPIN
Can he do that?
DSHS Pippin 51
 FIELD MARSHALL
He has.
(THEY ALL turn to PIPPIN)
But he will withdraw on one condition.

PIPPIN
Well, that’s very reasonable. I’m certainly willing to make any small conces-
sion. What’s the condition?

FIELD MARSHALL
He demands your head on a pike staff.

PIPPIN
Oh. Well, in that case, I guess you’ll just have to go out and destroy the
Infidel.

FIELD MARSHALL
But sire, I have no more men to wage a campaign...I have no money to buy
supplies...I have no army.

PIPPIN
Excuse me a moment. Nobles?

(Lights up on the NOBLE as PIPPIN crosses to him)

You remember that decree I made a little while ago about land and taxes?

NOBLE
Yes, sire.

PIPPIN
That’s off.

NOBLE
You mean you want me to pay taxes again and raise an army?

PIPPIN
Yes. That’s right.

NOBLE
But sire, without land I have neither money nor power over the peasants.

PIPPIN
Oh, yes, that’s a very good point.
(Stopping for a moment)
I hereby suspend land reform.
(Lights up on PEASANT)

DSHS Pippin 52
 PEASANT
Suspend land reform? Why the hell should I work when the poor get hand-
outs from the royal treasury?

PIPPIN
You’re absolutely right. I hereby revoke charity to the poor.

BEGGAR
Up thine, sire.

PIPPIN
Take that man away and hang him!

(The BEGGAR puts the noose around his own neck,

as the LEADING PLAYER starts to take him away.
The OTHER PLAYERS laugh to themselves)

No. Stop! Wait! Could you just let me think a minute please...

FASTRADA
(Coming to PIPPIN)
Darling, you’re a born ruler. You’re doing a wonderful job. Nothing has
changed since your father died. Now about my royal allowance...

(ALL the PLAYERS close in on PIPPIN now with their

demands ... “Sire, I am a poor man”... “Sire, I am a
peasant”... “Sire, I am a ...” until THEY’re all lined
up on the light curtain adlibbing their demands.
PIPPIN is becoming more and more confused)

PIPPIN
Denied.
(Then yelling)
DENIED! DENIED! DENIED!

(THEY stop)

FASTRADA
King Pippin the Unpopular.

PIPPIN
Get out of my chapel. I want to pray.

(THEY ALL leave, laughing under their breath, as

the LEADING PLAYER blows out the candles on the
altar and goes to PIPPIN. HE goes. PIPPIN kneels
and begins praying.)

LEADING PLAYER
What are you praying for?
DSHS Pippin 53
 PIPPIN
I’m praying for strength.

leading player
Is there anything else you’d like?

Pippin
I’d like to give my father back his job.

Leading Player
Is that what you want, Pippin?

Pippin
Yes.

Leading Player
You want it, You got it.

(LEADING PLAYER snaps his fingers and CHARLES

rises up and freezes with his arms out. PIPPIN
hangs his crown and robe on CHARLES’ arms.
Music stops.)

PIPPIN
I’m sorry, Father.

CHARLES
Oh, that’s all right, Son. Only don’t let it happen again.

(CHARLES goes. PIPPIN looks after him a moment.

Then HE turns to the LEADING PLAYER)

PIPPIN
DAMMIT! Nothing turns out the way I thought it would.

(The music for ON THE RIGHT TRACK begins, and

the LEADING PLAYER moves to PIPPIN)

I’m getting old. Very old. And I still haven’t done anything with my life.

LEADING PLAYER
But you will. You will.

LEADING PLAYER
Well then, maybe it’s time.

PIPPIN
Time?
DSHS Pippin 54
 LEADING PLAYER
For the Finale. I promised you an extraordinary life and an extraordinary
climax, remember? A climax never before seen on a public stage.

(He snaps his fingers and the music for “Think

About Your Life” begins. The CAST start to sing
“Aahs” to the music as the PLAYER WITH TORCH
appears.)

PIPPIN
What’s going on? What is this?

ALL
THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, PIPPIN ...

PIPPIN
Yes, that’s what I need to do. I need to think ... I need to be alone for a
while.

(He starts off.)

LEADING PLAYER
(Grabs him)
No .. Where are you going, Pippin? The Finale ...

PIPPIN
(Pulling away)

I have to have time to think!

(He runs off.)

(The cast looks after him, bewildered. The LEADING

PLAYER is momentarily nonplussed.)

PLAYER WITH TORCH

(To LEADING PLAYER)
Now?

LEADING PLAYER
(Snaps at him.)

Of course not now, you idiot!

(Recovers himself, turns to the audience, smiles)

It’s all right, we’re just going to need a little more time that’s all.

(To CATHERINE)
DSHS Pippin 55
 You -- Catherine. You’d better get ready. We’re going to be needing you.

(He turns back to audience, more relaxed now. A

big smile.)

Don’t worry. We won’t disappoint you. We never disappoint. You’ll have the
climax we promised you.

ALL BUT LEADING PLAYER

WE’VE GOT MAGIC TO DO
JUST FOR YOU
WE’VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY ...

LEADING PLAYER
(To audience)
Trust me!

ALL
AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY!

END ACT ONE

DSHS Pippin 56
 ACT TWO

Scene 1
ENCOURAGEMENT

(PIPPIN is discovered alone on stage, pacing and

singing agitatedly to himself)

PIPPIN
(a capella, very determined)
RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE
EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY
I’VE GOT TO BE ...
SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE ...
GOTTA FIND MY CORNER ...
GOTTA FIND ...
GOTTA FIND MY CORNER ...

(The LEADING PLAYER runs on. When he sees PIP-

PIN he stops, watches for a moment. Then, elabo-
rately calm, he calls to PIPPIN.)

LEADING PLAYER
There you are. Anything you need? Whatever you like ...

PIPPIN
I’d like a little peace and quiet, if you don’t mind.

LEADING PLAYER
Look, Pippin. You may not believe this, but things are going according to
plan.

PIPPIN
They are?

LEADING PLAYER
Of course they are. Take it easy ...

(sings:)

YOU LOOK FRENZIED, YOU LOOK FRAZZLED

PIQUED AS ANY ALP
FLUSHED AND RUSHED AND RAZZLE-DAZZLED
DRY YOUR LIPS, DAMP YOUR SCALP
NOW I CAN SEE YOU’RE IN A RUT IN DISARRAY
AND I’M NOT ONE TO BUTT IN
BUT IN FACT I MUST SAY
IF YOU’D TAKE IT EASY, TRUST AWHILE
DON’T LOOK BLUE, DON’T LOOK BACK
YOU’LL PULL THROUGH IN JUST AWHILE
DSHS Pippin 57
 ‘CAUSE YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK
PIPPIN... LEADING PLAYER...
ON THE RIGHT TRACK UH HU HU HU
ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKE IT EASY, SONNY
ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKE IT EASY, SONNY
ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKE IT EASY

LEADING PLAYER
WHY BE FLURRIED

PIPPIN
FLUSTERED

LEADING PLAYER
KEEP THOSE

PIPPIN
HOPES ALOFT

LEADING PLAYER
KEEP COOL AS CUSTARD

PIPPIN
TRYING HARD

LEADING PLAYER
STEPPING SOFT

BOTH
THERE’S NO TRICK TO STAYING SENSIBLE
DESPITE EACH CUL-DE-SAC
‘CAUSE EACH STEP’S INDISPENSABLE
WHEN YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK

PIPPIN... LEADING PLAYER...

ON THE RIGHT TRACK THE RIGHT TRACK
ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKE IT EASY, SONNY
ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKE IT EASY, SONNY
ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKE IT EASY

(The song develops into a dance during which the

LEADING PLAYER encourages PIPPIN to “Go, but
easy”)

LEADING PLAYER

(Spoken)
Pippin jumped back into life with his usual zest. He tried art...the creative
life, and you know something, he wasn’t too bad. But what he discovered
was...
DSHS Pippin 58
 PIPPIN
...you got to be dead to find out if you were any good.

LEADING PLAYER
Then he dedicated himself to the church. He sought God in the highways,
he sought Him in the byways...and then he finally cornered Him in a huge
cathedral. But what he found out was...

PIPPIN
The church isn’t saving souls, it’s investing in real estate.

LEADING PLAYER
MANY WHEN THINGS GET DANK WILL FEEL THEIR GRIP GO
WE STAY TRANQUIL, SPIRITS HIGH, PULSES LOW

PIPPIN

(Coming through the light curtain again. It goes

out, as the scrim comes in)

BUT! WHAT I’VE LEFT BEHIND LOOKS TRIFLING

WHAT’S AHEAD LOOKS BLACK
AM I DOOMED TO SPEND MY LIFE A-LINGERING ON

LEADING PLAYER
LINGERING ON

PIPPIN
JUST LINGERING ON

BOTH
MALINGERING ON THE RIGHT

PIPPIN
Oh, I’ll never find it...never...never...never...never! Damn it!

Leading Player
EASY BABY, YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT...TRACK.

Scene 2
THE HEARTH

LEADING PLAYER

Enter Catherine.

(The lights come up on TWO PLAYERS holding a

scarf. THEY lower to reveal CATHERINE. But there
is no CATHERINE. The PLAYERS look in the wings
DSHS Pippin 59
 for her, and back to the LEADING PLAYER. HE tries
once more)

Enter Catherine!

(CATHERINE enters in a hurry)

CATHERINE
(To the LEADING PLAYER)
Sorry...I couldn’t get my eyelash on...

LEADING PLAYER
It’s okay. We’ll just try it again.
(CATHERINE goes behind the scarf)
Enter Catherine.
(The scarf is lowered and CATHERINE turns
around)
A widow with a small boy and a large estate.
(HE goes)

CATHERINE
(To audience, as SHE goes to PIPPIN who is lying
on the stage)
When I first saw Pippin he was lying in the road like a discarded rag. I
would have passed him by. Perhaps I should have passed him by but there
was something about his foot. Yes, it was the arch of his foot that caught
my eye. What I did was merely an act of Christian charity. After all, I had no
idea that this discarded rag would clean up so well.

(SHE motions to the TWO PLAYERS who place PIP-

PIN in the bed which was set behind the scrim
upstage, while SHE sings)

THERE HE WAS. HE DIDN’T KNOW WHERE HE WAS

AND HE LOOKED SO LOST AND EXHAUSTED
YOU’D ALMOST SWEAR HE WAS DEAD
SO I SAID...
PICK HIM UP, PUT HIM TO BED,
SEE THAT HE’S BATHED AND CLOTHED AND FED
AS I SAID, HOW COULD I FORETELL
HE’D CLEAN UP, OH, SO VERY WELL
IMAGINE MY SURPRISE
WHEN I RAISED MY EYES
AND THERE HE WAS
(Spoken)
The man had obviously lost the will to live. So the first thing I had to do was
to get him interested in something...something that would restore his faith
in life...something like...me.

(Going upstage to PIPPIN)

DSHS Pippin 60
Well, Pippin, I’m sure there are many things you’d like to know about me,
aren’t there?

PIPPIN
No.

CATHERINE
Good.

(Music under)

My name is Catherine. I’m a widow. I have a son. I own this estate.

(Sings)
I’M YOUR AVERAGE ORDINARY KIND OF WOMAN
COMPETENT AND NEAT
MAKING LIFE A TREAT
OTHERS AS NICE
YOU MEET OFTEN I KNOW
AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE
EVERY DECADE OR SO

I’M YOUR EVERYDAY, CUSTOMARY KIND OF WOMAN

PRACTICAL AS SALT
MODEST TO A FAULT
CONSERVATIVE WITH A BUDGET
LIBERAL WITH A MEAL
JUST YOUR AVERAGE DEAL

MY TELLING YOU THIS

MAY SEEM SUDDEN AND STRANGE
IT MAY NOT INTEREST YOU MUCH AT ALL RIGHT NOW
BUT THINGS CHANGE
THINGS CHANGE
STILL I’LL UNDERSTAND IF I’M NOT YOUR KIND OF WOMAN
ANYONE CAN MAKE
ONE TERRIBLE MISTAKE
BUT I’VE NO SPECIAL GLAMOUR
NO BAIT I CAN TWIRL
FOR I’M JUST A PLAIN, EVERYDAY
COMMONPLACE, COME-WHAT-MAY
AVERAGE, ORDINARY
WONDERFUL GIRL!

(Looking at him, then to the audience)

God! What a challenge! That was my best number. For a long time he
showed no interest in anything. I was determined to somehow pierce that
dedicated apathy. Now...I’ve always found that no man...no matter what his
condition...can resist the charm of a small boy. So, I sent my son Theo to
DSHS Pippin 61
 him...

(THEO’s entrance music. The LEADING PLAYER

enters carrying THEO and his DUCK)

LEADING PLAYER
Enter Theo. A small lovable boy and his large lovable duck.

(LEADING PLAYER snaps his finger and goes)

THEO

(Trying to wake PIPPIN up)

Pippin...Pippin...say hello to my duck...

(HE pushes the duck into PIPPIN’s face)

PIPPIN
How do you do...

THEO
Guess his name.

PIPPIN
Augustus.

THEO
Wrong. His name’s Otto. You’re not very smart...

PIPPIN
I am smart enough to know that a duck belongs in a pond and not in my
bed!

(THEO looks at PIPPIN a moment, then gives him a

juicy “raspberry” and goes. PIPPIN tries to go back
to sleep)

CATHERINE

(Who has been observing all of this from down-

stage)

Obviously hopeless. I had picked him up off the road. I could throw him
back out again. Out he goes!

(Goes to PIPPIN, and is again stunned by the beau-

ty of his foot. The anger drains out of her)

I’ll give him another chance.

DSHS Pippin 62
 (To PIPPIN)

Pippin, you have been lying in the bed for seven days, now what is the mat-
ter with you?

PIPPIN
Well it’s nothing you could possible understand...

CATHERINE
Well, try me. Give me a chance. Please. Pippin, please.

PIPPIN
All right. You see, I have an overwhelming need to be completely fulfilled.
And it’s never ever happened to me so I am in abject despair.

CATHERINE
And that’s it?

PIPPIN
Yes. That’s it.

CATHERINE

(Coming downstage, to audience)

You may think that what I did next was scheming...devious...

(Turns back to PIPPIN)

Pippin, let me tell you something about despair.

(SHE points to the conductor and the organ begins

to play as if this were the beginning of a soap
opera. PIPPIN is surprised by the music and begins
to search for its source. CATHERINE sits on the end
of the bed and begins speaking)

I loved my husband very much. The years we spent together were the happi-
est years of my life. And then one day he was struck by fever...

(Slowly PIPPIN comes down to the end of the bed

and watches her)

...and when his hand went cold in mine, I felt my life, too, was over. I was
overcome by the deepest despair. I took to my bed for five days. On the sixth
day I got up. There were things to be done. An estate to be run. A boy to
raise.

(The organ plays a grand finish. CATHERINE looks

DSHS Pippin 63
 to the audience and smiles. PIPPIN is staring at
her. To audience)

Well, look at that. I think he’s really moved.

(PIPPIN reaches out and touches CATHERINE’s

hand. SHE looks at the hand for a long moment.
Then softly, to PIPPIN)

Pippin, this is such a large estate. I’m all alone here and I can’t do all this
work by myself. Couldn’t you please help me...

leading player
HOLD IT! HOLD IT! HOLD IT! You are supposed to say that line naggingly.

Catherine
But he touched my hand. They don’t usually do that.

Leading Player
I don’t care where he puts his hand. Say the line naggingly.

Catherine
Naggingly...

(She yells as loud and obnoxiously as possible.)

Pippin, this is such a large estate. I’m all alone here and I can’t do all this
work by myself. Couldn’t you please help me...

PIPPIN
All right! All right! Anything to shut you up!

(HE starts to go)

But just for a little while...

(Goes. CATHERINE moves downstage and the bed

revolves. It is now a tree)

CATHERINE
(To audience)

Well, Pippin was finally out of bed and working...and slowly he became part
of everything...part of our everyday life...

EVERYDAY LIFE SECTION

This section is narrated by CATHERINE as SHE

observes PIPPIN taking part in the small activities
DSHS Pippin 64
 of daily life on an estate. A musical vamp begins
and PIPPIN enters between TWO MEN. One of whom
is A PLAYER, disguised as a worker. THEY cross the
stage rhythmically, mechanically, each with a hoe.
Together, THEY move across the stage as if THEY
were hoeing the fields. PIPPIN addresses the TWO
MEN as CATHERINE watches
PIPPIN
How often do we do this?

LEADING PLAYER
Everyday...

PIPPIN
Everyday?

MEN
Uh huh.

PIPPIN
Everyday. That’s exciting.

(Sees CATHERINE looking at him)

Did you say something?

CATHERINE
No, no...

(SHE goes. PIPPIN looks after her as the TWO MEN

go off. Then, to audience)

PIPPIN
I know that look. That’s the look of a widow with a small boy and a large
estate and nobody to sit at the head of the table.

(HE goes)

CATHERINE
(Coming back onstage)

For awhile, Pippin didn’t show much enthusiasm for the work...but as time
went on...

(PIPPIN and the TWO MEN enter. This time THEY

cross the stage in the same rhythmic pattern, only
this time THEY have seed bags and are sowing
the fields. PIPPIN is totally unenthusiastic, and HE
throws the seeds from his bag into the bag of one
of the other MEN)
DSHS Pippin 65
 ...and he showed no enthusiasm at all.

PIPPIN

(Letting A PLAYER pass him by and sending him

off with a pat on the behind, call after them)

Keep up the good work, boys.

(Seeing CATHERINE watching him)

Well, what are you looking at?

CATHERINE
Nothing...nothing...

(PIPPIN starts to go)

Oh, Pippin, there is something. The roof on the chicken house it’s sprung a
lead...if you could get to it tomorrow...

PIPPIN
Wait a minute...

CATHERINE
...or the day after tomorrow.

(SHE goes)

PIPPIN
(To himself)

The roof on the chicken house...?

(Calling after her)

I used to be the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire...

(To audience)

All right, so I screwed it up. Still...

(Sings)
PATCHING THE ROOF AND PITCHING THE HAY
IS NOT MY IDEA OF A PERFECT DAY
WHEN YOU’RE EXTRAORDINARY
YOU GOTTA DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

I’M NOT THE TYPE WHO LOSES SLEEP

DSHS Pippin 66
OVER THE SIZE OF THE COMPOST HEAP
WHEN YOU’RE EXTRAORDINARY
YOU THINK ABOUT EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

THAT’S THE REASON I’LL NEVER BE

THE KIND OF MAN WHO DWELLS
ON HOW MOTHS GOT INTO THE TAPESTRY
OR WHY THE DUNGEON SMELLS

OH, IT’S HARD TO FEEL SPECIAL, IT’S HARD TO FELL BIG

FEEDING THE TURTLE AND WALKING THE PIG
IT’S SO SECONDARY
TO SOMEONE WHO IS VERY
EXTRAORDINARY LIKE ME

IF THE MOAT WON’T STOP LEAKING

AND THE GOAT WON’T STOP SHRIEKING
AND THE GRIFFIN KEEPS LOSING ITS HAIR
IF THE WEST WING IS ROTTING
AND OUR BEST WINE IS CLOTTING
WELL, I’M TERRIBLY SORRY BUT I DON’T CARE

I’VE GOT TO BE SOMEONE WHO LIVES

ALL OF HIS LIFE IN SUPERLATIVES
WHEN YOU’RE EXTRAORDINARY
YOU GOTTA DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

THE FACT THAT I’M DIFFERENT IS EASY TO SEE

SO WHY DOESN’T ANYBODY KNOW IT BUT ME?
I’M EXTRAORDINARY
I NEED TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

EVERY SO OFTEN A MAN HAS HIS DAY

HE TRULY CAN CALL HIS
WELL, HERE I AM TO SIEZE MY DAY
IF SOMEONE WOULD JUST TELL ME WHEN THE HELL IT IS

OH GIVE ME MY CHANCE, AND GIVE ME MY WINGS

AND DON’T MAKE ME THINK ABOUT EVERYDAY THINGS
THEY’RE UNNECESSARY
TO SOMEONE WHO IS VERY
EXTRAORDINARY
LIKE ME!
(Spoken)
I am. I am extraordinary. I am.

(CATHERINE enters)

That’s it! I’m leaving. I’m getting out...tomorrow!

DSHS Pippin 67
 END OF EVERYDAY LIFE SECTION

***********************************************************
*****
CATHERINE
(To audience)
And then Theo’s duck got sick.

(THEO enters and goes to PIPPIN. HE has his sick

duck in his arms)

THEO
Pippin...Pippin, Otto is sick.

(During this scene, CATHERINE stands behind

PIPPIN and THEO. Her remarks though directed to
PIPPIN and THEO, are unheard by them)

PIPPIN
That’s too bad, Theo. I’m sorry.

CATHERINE
Pippin, it’s the first time he’s come to you for help...

THEO
Could you look at him...please...

CATHERINE
Pippin...Pippin.

PIPPIN
Theo, I don’t know anything about ducks...

CATHERINE
Pippin...try...

PIPPIN
Oh, all right. Let me have a look at him. (HE takes the duck reluctantly and
looks at it for a long moment)

CATHERINE
Now say something hopeful...

PIPPIN

(Giving his duck back to THEO)

This is a very sick duck. There’s nothing I can do for him.

(THEO starts to go away with the duck. HE is very

DSHS Pippin 68
 sad. PIPPIN looks after him)

Oh, Theo, yes there is.

(Rising to get THEO)

Wait a minute. Come here. Come and kneel down here next to me. Right
over here.

(PIPPIN and THEO kneeling next to one another,

pray)

CATHERINE
It was like a painting. Man and boy at prayer.

PIPPIN
God, I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but his boy loves this duck...
(Sings)
HIS BREATH HAS EBBED, HIS PULSE IS LOW
HIS FEET ARE WEBBED, BUT EVEN SO
YOU MUST KNOW
THAT ALTHOUGH OUR TEARS ARE POISED TO BURST
WE’VE KEPT OUR FAITH WARM THROUGH THE WORST
WE HAVEN’T CURSED OUR LUCK OR RUN AMUCK
TO PRAYER WE’VE STUCK
PLEASE REWARD OUR PLUCK
AND SAVE THIS DUCK

CATHERINE
(To audience)

They prayed all day. And then, just after sunset...

(Light goes out on the duck)

...the duck died...

PIPPIN
I’m sorry, Theo...

(THEO obviously heartbroken, takes the duck in his

arms and goes)

Wait a minute, Theo. We can go to the pond and get another duck.

(But this has no effect. THEO is gone. PIPPIN turns

to CATHERINE)

Why did the stupid duck have to die?

DSHS Pippin 69
 (HE goes)

CATHERINE
(To audience)
Then, an interesting thing happened. Theo plunged himself into monumen-
tal despair. While on the other hand, Pippin, that Prince of Despair, dedi-
cated himself to raising the boy’s spirits...

(THEO enters with his head way down looking very

sad. PIPPIN enters following THEO and a little too
cheerful)

PIPPIN
Theo! Hey, Theo, look, we’re going out to thrash some grain right now and
we need another good man. You want to give us a helping hand?

(THEO exits paying no attention)

Another time, maybe...

(Goes)

CATHERINE
But Pippin showed remarkable persistence. When one thing failed he tried
another.

PIPPIN
(From offstage)
Theo...hey, Theo...

(THEO enters whittling a stick. PIPPIN enters on a

pair of stilts)

Want to be the tallest little boy in the world?

(Waling on the stilts to where THEO is sitting)

Fee, fie, foe, fum. I smell the blood...

(HE gets off stilts and offers them to THEO)

Here, I made you a pair of stilts. Come on, I’ll help you up. You can be tall-
er...

(THEO rises and crosses downstage where HE sits

with his back toward PIPPIN)

...than anybody.

(Seeing that it’s no use, PIPPIN takes the stilts and

DSHS Pippin 70
 goes upstage behind the tree)

CATHERINE
(to audience)
Well, most men would have given up. But Pippin, with amazing persever-
ance tried yet another way.

(PIPPIN enters from behind the tree. This time HE

has a small baby lamb)

PIPPIN
Theo, guess what I have for you this time. Now don’t turn around. I’m going
to bring it to you...

(HE goes to THEO)

Okay, when I count to three you can turn around and look. One! Two! Three!
Look!

(THEO turns around. Looks at the lamb, then at

PIPPIN)

THEO
That’s not a duck, dummy!
(HE goes)

PIPPIN
(Dejectedly)

Did I say it was a duck?

(PIPPIN exits with the lamb. HE comes back on

shaking his head apologetically and crosses the
stage. As HE passes CATHERINE, SHE stops him
and pulls him close to her. SHE takes his face
in her hands and kisses him tenderly. Romantic
music creeps in. Now, touching for the first time
in this way, THEY look at each other in a new way.
CATHERINE kisses PIPPIN again, and this time HE
responds.)

LEADING PLAYER
Listen, I think we’re gonna skip part of this. Nothing much really happens.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

(And then referring to them still kissing upstage)

...a whole lot of that.

(PIPPIN and CATHERINE start to move downstage)

DSHS Pippin 71
 But, the season changed as it always does, and the days were filled with
those everyday things. Seeds to be sown, fences to be mended...and, finally,
of course, a love song to be sung.

(CATHERINE and PIPPIN are seated on the floor

center stage. The LEADING PLAYER goes)

PIPPIN
(Sings)
SITTING ON THE FLOOR AND TALKING ‘TIL DAWN

CATHERINE
CANDLES AND CONFIDENCES

PIPPIN
TRADING OLD BELIEFS AND HUMMING OLD SONGS

CATHERINE
AND LOWERING OLD DEFENSES

PIPPIN
SING A

BOTH
LOVE SONG - LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
LOVE SONG - LA LA LA LA

PIPPIN
PRIVATE LITTLE JOKES AND SILLY PET NAMES

CATHERINE
LAVENDAR SOAP AND LOTIONS

PIPPIN
ALL OF THE CLICHES AND ALL OF THE GAMES

CATHERINE
AND ALL OF THE STRANGE EMOTIONS

PIPPIN
SINGING A

BOTH
LOVE SONG - LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
LOVE SONG - LA LA LA LA LA

PIPPIN
THEY SAY THE WHOLE IS GREATER

DSHS Pippin 72
 BOTH
THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS IT’S MADE OF

PIPPIN
WELL IF IT’S TRUE OF ANYTHING

BOTH
IT’S TRUE OF LOVE

PIPPIN
CAUSE HOW CAN YOU DEFINE A LOOK OR A TOUCH?

CATHERINE
HOW CAN YOU WEIGH A FEELING?

PIPPIN
TAKEN BY THEMSELVES NOW THEY DON’T MEAN MUCH

BOTH
TOGETHER THEY SEND YOU REELING

PIPPIN
INTO A

BOTH
LOVE SONG - LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
LOVE SONG - LA LA LA LA LA

LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

CATHERINE
(Spoken)
Close your eyes.

PIPPIN
Why?

CATHERINE
Because we’ve got a surprise for you.

(THEO, who has entered quietly, now runs to PIPPIN

and throws his arms around PIPPIN’s neck)

THEO
We’ve got a surprise!

CATHERINE AND THEO

We’ve got a surprise!

DSHS Pippin 73
 (The unit revolves, and it is a dining-room table
set with dishes and food. From the wings, a few
of the PLAYERS enter with stools and place them
around the table. After this is done, THEY exit.
CATHERINE helps PIPPIN up and leads PIPPIN up to
the table. THEO clings to PIPPIN)

CATHERINE
Keep your eyes closed, Pippin. Now no peeking.

PIPPIN
I usually don’t like surprises.

CATHERINE
Well, you’ll like this one.

(THEY have reached the table, and CATHERINE and

THEO help PIPPIN to a seat)

PIPPIN
Can I open my eyes, please?

CATHERINE
Yes, now you can.

(PIPPIN opens his eyes. CATHERINE uncovers a

dish and lights the contents)

Quince pudding flambe! Oh, I haven’t made it for years...but I thought that
for this special occasion...

PIPPIN
What special occasion?

CATHERINE
Well...six months ago today...

(Pause)

...you arrived here. So Theo and I thought that we would celebrate with a
little party. So I made this...and Theo made you a flute...

THEO

(Handing the flute to PIPPIN)

Here.

PIPPIN
Oh, Theo...it’s beautiful. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.

DSHS Pippin 74
 CATHERINE
Well let me say something then.

(Pause)

In the six months that you’ve been with us, a lot of water has flowed under
the damn.

(The LEADING PLAYER pops up to correct her.)

leading player
Over the damn. Water flows over the damn.

Catherine
I’m sorry. I seem to be a little confused.

Leading player
Oh, yeah. I can see that. You try sticking to the part.

Catherine
I will. I will. In the six months that you’ve been with us, a lot of water has
flowed OVER the damn. And in that six months, you’ve come to mean a
great deal to me...to us... to our very ordinary lives. So, I just want to say for
me...for Theo...we’re glad you’re here. And now...well, now we have so many
good years ahead of us... Oh, Pippin. Sit here. Sit here. Right at the head of
the table. Isn’t this wonderufl?

(SHE and THEO move PIPPIN to the head of the

table. PIPPIN sits very reluctantly)

Well, isn’t anybody going to eat my pudding?

THEO
I am!

(CATHERINE starts to dish out the pudding. PIPPIN

rises suddenly, and goes downstage)

PIPPIN
I’ve got to get out of here.

CATHERINE...
(Going to him)
...Pippin, what’s the matter?

PIPPIN
I just can’t stay here.

DSHS Pippin 75
 CATHERINE
I don’t understand.

PIPPIN
I’ve got to go.

CATHERINE
Why?

PIPPIN
Because this isn’t enough. Life is more than ducks that die...and leaking
roofs...and flaming quince pudding!

CATHERINE
Are you sure?

PIPPIN
Yes I’m sure. And I am not going to be stuck doing the same damn thing
every day...

CATHERINE
...and night?

PIPPIN
Don’t you see, there has to be something more than this. There has to be.

CATHERINE
Maybe there isn’t any more.

PIPPIN
I know there is.
(Sings)
RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE
EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY
I’VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY
SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE
GOTTA FIND...

CATHERINE...

(To audience as if a litany, learned by rote)

I loved my husband very much. The years we spent together were the happi-
est years of my life. And then one day he was struck by...he was struck by...I
can’t remember my next line. What is... Something is going wrong...It’s not
supposed to be like this...

(PIPPIN goes.)

Pippin I really want you to stay.

DSHS Pippin 76
 (The lights begin to go out on her)

Could you hold the light for a minute...please?

(The light comes back on)

Thank you.

(SHE sings)

I GUESS I’LL MISS THE MAN

EXPLAIN IT IF YOU CAN
HIS FACE WAS FAR FROM FINE

(Music begins quietly under)

BUT STILL I’LL MISS HIS FACE

AND WONDER IF HE’S MISSING MINE.

(The LEADING PLAYER enters behind the scrim. As

SHE continues to sing ALL of the PLAYERS, one by
one, enter behind the scrim watching her)

SOME DAYS HE WOULDN’T SAY

A PLEASANT WORD ALL DAY
SOME DAYS HE’D SCOWL AND CURSE
BUT THERE WERE OTHER DAYS
WHEN HE WAS REALLY EVEN WORSE

SOME MEN ARE HEROES

SOME MEN OUTSHINE THE SUN
SOME MEN ARE SIMPLE, GOOD MEN
THIS MAN WASN’T ONE
AND I WON’T MISS HIS MOODS
HIS GLOOMY SOLITUDES
HIS BLUNT ABRASIVE STYLE
BUT PLEASE DON’T GET ME WRONG
HE WAS THE BEST TO COME ALONG
IN A LONG, LONG WHILE...

(Spoken)

And the arch of his foot really was in a class by itself.

(SHE goes)

DSHS Pippin 77
 Scene 3
THE FINALE

The stage is in darkness.

We hear the same orchestral vamp that

we heard at the beginning of the show.

The light curtain comes on and we see

ALL the PLAYERS standing on it singing
the low crooning vocal wail. At the end
of which THEY bow.

PIPPIN is sitting downstage on the floor,

looking very discouraged. The PLAYERS
move in around him.

LEADING PLAYER
Well, Pippin, I guess you finally realize what we knew from the beginning...

PIPPIN
What’s that?

A PLAYER
...that your search for perfection and fulfillment was doomed from the start.

A PLAYER
Nothing ever turns out the way you think it’s going to...

A PLAYER
It’s all flawed in one way or another...

A PLAYER
Isn’t that true?

LEADING PLAYER
Nothing has been completely fulfilling now, has it, Pippin? Has it?

PIPPIN
No.

(THEY ALL laugh quietly and nod)

I guess there’s nothing.

LEADING PLAYER
(Laughing)
Wait...wait a minute! There is something...

PIPPIN
DSHS Pippin 78
There is...?

(THEY ALL nod and adlib “Oh, yes”)

What?

LEADING PLAYER
The only completely perfect act in our repertoire...the finale!

ALL

(Screaming and clapping)

The finale!

(A FEW of the PLAYERS bring on a large set piece

which is the trick fire-box. The LEADING PLAYER
claps and the PLAYER with the torch who appeared
briefly in the opening jumps on)

PLAYER
Now?

LEADING PLAYER
Now.

(The PLAYER with the torch goes upstage to the

box. Another PLAYER steps inside the box. A cloth
is held up in front of the box which reads “PIPPIN’S
GRAND FINALE”. The PLAYER with the torch sets
fire to a dummy inside the box who is supposed to
be a man. The cloth is lowered. We see the dummy
burn. After it burns, the cloth is brought up again
and the PLAYER steps in front of it. It is a very
realistic and frightening trick, and when it is over
the TROUPE applauds)

ALL
Ta da!

PIPPIN
That’s the finale? But that was just a trick...

LEADING PLAYER
When he does it, it’s just a trick. But when you do it, it’ll be for real.

PIPPIN
When I do it...?

(HE looks around at ALL the PLAYERS. THEY nod

DSHS Pippin 79
 “Yes” to PIPPIN)

You mean you want me to get into that box and set myself on fire?

(The PLAYERS begin to close in on PIPPIN)

Wait a minute...

A PLAYER
You will step into that flame, Pippin...

LEADING PLAYER
Become part of that flame...

A PLAYER
Be engulfed by that flame...

A PLAYER
Become flame itself...

(THEY are ALL around PIPPIN now)

LEADING PLAYER
And for one moment shine with unequalled brilliance...

A PLAYER
And in that flame you’ll become a glorious synthesis of life and death...

A PLAYER
...and life again...

LEADING PLAYER
Why...why...the final affirmation of life...death.

(Turns to the audience)

Ladies and gentlemen...presenting the Great Pippin, in our grand finale

never before seen on a public stage!

(A drum roll begins and THEY ALL applaud wildly...

THEY are ecstatic with pleasure at the thought of
PIPPIN burning himself)

PIPPIN
Stop! Stop! Stop that!

(THEY stop. The drum roll stops)

Look, if this finale is so spectacular, why don’t one of you do it?

DSHS Pippin 80
 LEADING PLAYER
(After a long pause)
Cute...Now that’s really cute. Look, we’re just ordinary run-of-the-mill peo-
ple. Just your everyday men and women who keep this old world spinning...
we’re nothing.

(THEY ALL begin to close in on PIPPIN again)

But you, Pippin, you’re an extraordinary human being...with extraordinary

aspirations and dreams.

A PLAYER
You deserve and extraordinary climax...

A PLAYER
...an unparalleled finale...

LEADING PLAYER
It’s everything you’ve been looking for...

A PLAYER
Your dream!

A PLAYER
Complete ultimate fulfillment!

A PLAYER
Perfection! Like the sun blazing in the sky!

LEADING PLAYER
The sun at its zenith!

(Now the song begins, led by the LEADING PLAYER,

later joined by ALL. PIPPIN stares into the flame,
reluctant at first, but slowly becoming carried
away by the music and the fire)

THINK ABOUT THE SUN, PIPPIN

THINK ABOUT HER GOLDEN GLANCE
HOW SHE LIGHTS THE WORLD UP
WELL, NOT IT’S YOUR CHANCE
WITH THE GUARDIAN OF SPLENDOR
INVITING YOU TO DANCE
PIPPIN
THINK ABOUT THE SUN
ALL

(Adlib, whispering, beckoning PIPPIN to the fire-

box)

DSHS Pippin 81
 Now, Pippin...come on, Pippin...it’s ready...

LEADING PLAYER
Now, Pippin...it’s time.

PIPPIN
Look, it’s just that if this isn’t it...I’m going to have a tough time trying
something else...

A PLAYER
Pippin, you lack a certain amount of poise...

A PLAYER
Think of the radiance...

A PLAYER
Remember the beauty...

A PLAYER
Admiring glances...

A PLAYER
Thunderous applause...

A PLAYER
Think of the word-of-mouth...

LEADING PLAYER
(Sings)
THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, PIPPIN

A PLAYER
DAYS ARE TAME AND NIGHTS THE SAME

LEADING PLAYER
NOW THINK ABOUT THE BEAUTY

LEADING PLAYER AND PLAYER

IN ONE PERFECT FLAME

(As the REST of the PLAYERS join in the song, the

final set comes in. It is a backdrop which looks like
the sun, shining and brilliant, with angels on it)

LEADING PLAYER AND PLAYER... ALL...

AND THE ANGELS OF THE MORNING AHHH
ARE CALLING OUR YOUR NAME AHHH

ALL
PIPPIN
DSHS Pippin 82
 LEADING PLAYER
THINK ABOUT THE

ALL
SUN

A PLAYER
(Spoken)
More lights, perhaps?

LEADING PLAYER
You want more lights, you got ‘em! Let’s give this angel some light!

(HE claps. The lights go on and now the lighting

would do justice to only Christ on the cross...super-
religious and dramatic. The music becomes rhyth-
mic, insistent. The PLAYERS add tambourines)

ALL
(Singing again)
THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, PIPPIN
THINK ABOUT THE DREAMS YOU PLANNED
THINK ABOUT THE MOMENT
THAT’S SO CLOSE AT HAND
WHEN THE POWER AND THE GLORY
ARE THERE AT YOUR COMMAND

PIPPIN
THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE

(The tambourines increase their jiggling, the sing-

ing becomes louder and wilder)

THINK ABOUT THE SUN, PIPPIN

THING ABOUT HER GOLDEN GLANCE
HOW SHE LIGHT THE WORLD UP
WELL, NOW IT’S YOUR CHANCE
WITH THE GUARDIANS OF SPLENDOR
INVITING YOU TO DANCE
PIPPIN
THINK ABOUT THE SUN

(In the course of the following verse, the unison

breaks into harmony. PIPPIN is slowly becoming
part of their rhythmic gyrations, his resistance
getting lower and lower)

THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, PIPPIN

THINK ABOUT THE DREAMS YOU PLANNED
DSHS Pippin 83
 THINK ABOUT THE MOMENT
THAT’S SO CLOSE AT HAND
WHEN THE POWER AND THE GLORY
ARE THERE AT YOUR COMMAND

WHEN THE POWER AND THE GLORY

ARE THERE AT YOUR COMMAND

WHEN THE POWER AND THE GLORY

ARE THERE AT YOUR COMMAND

PIPPIN, THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE

(PIPPIN has the torch now. HE looks at it as though

in a trance, as the LEADING PLAYER beckons him
toward the fire-box and the PLAYERS sing)

RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE

EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY...

(PIPPIN runs up to a PLAYER and gives back the

torch. Adlib, whispering, beckoning, calling to him)

Pippin...Pippin...now, Pippin, now...come on, Pippin...

PIPPIN
No, stop! Please don’t do that to me...please...

(PIPPIN covers his ears and the noise stops. The

PLAYERS FREEZE. Sings)

I’M NOT A RIVER OR A GIANT BIRD

THAT SOARS TO THE SEA
AND IF I’M NEVER TIED TO ANYTHING
I’LL NEVER BE FREE

(CATHERINE and THEO enter form behind the fire-

box. Slowly, PIPPIN turns to them and goes toward
them)

LEADING PLAYER...

(To CATHERINE)

What are YOU doing out here?

(to PIPPIN)

Hey, where are you going, Pippin? Come on, stop this nonsense and get on
with...the finale, Pippin...the finale...
DSHS Pippin 84
 ALL
(Adlib)

The finale, Pippin...the finale...

(PIPPIN takes CATHERINE and THEO by the hand.

THEY stand together)

A PLAYER
Coward...

A PLAYER
Compromiser...

ALL
Compromiser!

PIPPIN
(Sings)
I WANTED MAGIC SHOWS AND MIRACLES
MIRAGES TO TOUCH
I WANTED SUCH A LITTLE THING FROM LIFE
I WANTED SO MUCH
I NEVER CAME CLOSE, MY LOVE
WE NEARLY CAME NEAR
IT NEVER WAS THERE
I THINK IT WAS HERE...

LEADING PLAYER AND ALL

All right...you’ll see what it’s like without us...take away the set...everything
out...move it.

(The set begins to move out)

Colored lights out. Take ‘em out. Pinks and reds out...well, that’s not too
flattering is it, Pippin?

(The lighting becomes harsh. PIPPIN does not

answer)

Costumes...get their costumes...

(The PLAYERS strip CATHERINE, PIPPIN, and THEO,

leaving them in black tights)

Make up...let’s go...get it off...and the wigs...

(PLAYERS remove make up and wigs from PIPPIN,

CATHERINE and THEO)
DSHS Pippin 85
 Look around, Pippin. How do things look to you now?

PIPPIN
THEY SHOWED ME CRIMSON, GOLD AND LAVENDAR
A SHINING PARADE...

LEADING PLAYER
A mole, Pippin. Look at the mole on her face. You’re going to spend the rest
of your life with a woman with a mole?

PIPPIN
BUT THERE’S NO COLOR I CAN HAVE ON EARTH
THAT WON’T FINALLY FADE...

LEADING PLAYER AND ALL

And the kid...He’ll whine 24 hours a day...gimme this! Gimme that!

PIPPIN
WHEN I WANTED WORLDS TO PAINT

LEADING PLAYER AND ALL

This is the way you want to live? Is this what you want?

PIPPIN
AND COSTUMES TO WEAR...

LEADING PLAYER
No costumes...no make up...

PIPPIN
I THINK IT WAS HERE...

LEADING PLAYER AND ALL

No pink tights...

PIPPIN
CAUSE IT NEVER WAS THERE...

ALL
And no magic!

(The lights are beginning to go out one by one)

LEADING PLAYER

(To audience)

Ladies and Gentlemen, we apologize for our inability to bring you the finale
that we promised. It seems our extraordinary young man has elected to
DSHS Pippin 86
compromise his aspirations. But I know there are many of you out there...
extraordinary people...exceptional people...who would gladly trade your ordi-
nary lives for the opportunity to do one perfect act - our grand finale. Now,
if you should decide to do so, we’ll be there for you...waiting...anytime you
want us. Why we’re right inside your heads, and we promise you sets, cos-
tumes, lights, magic...and a short - but - spectacular career!

(THEY ALL look out to the audience, singling out

people and asking them to come with them)

All right. Let’s go! Out. Everybody out...out!

(The PLAYERS go)

Take out the rest of the lights.

(Lights go out. A STAGE MANAGER brings a work

light out)

Orchestra, pack up your fiddles. Get your horns. Let’s go.

(Then to the pianist)

Take your damn hands off that keyboard!

(Piano stops. It is silent. Then, to PIPPIN)

You try singing without music, sweetheart!

(The LEADING PLAYER goes. The stage is dark

except for the work light. PIPPIN, CATHERINE and
Theo are alone on stage. PIPPIN sings a cappela)

PIPPIN
I WANTED MAGICSHOWS AND MIRACLES
MIRAGES TO TOUCH
I WANTED SUCH A LITTLE THING FROM LIFE
I WANTED SO MUCH
I NEVER CAME CLOSE, MY LOVE
I NEVER CAME NEAR
IT NEVER WAS THERE
IT ALWAYS WAS HERE ...

(He kisses her and, hand in hand, they begin to

leave the stage. Theo remains behind, standing
center stage. Very softly at first, he begins to sing,
a capella)

Theo
RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE
DSHS Pippin 87
 EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY ...

(PIPPIN AND CATHERINE turn to look at Theo, who

begins to sing more strongly now)

Theo
I’VE GOT TO BE
WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE ...

(And suddenly, on the fringes of the stage, the

PLAYERS begin to creep in again, all focussing on
Theo, smiling at him, reaching out to him. A light
starts to get brighter on Theo as the orchestra
begins to accompany him)

Theo
GOTTA FIND MY CORNER
OF THE SKY ...

(The LEADING PLAYER comes a bit more onstage

and reaches out his hand to THEO. THEO turns to
look at the LEADING PLAYER as PIPPIN and CATH-
ERINE look on helplessly. The PLAYERS begin the
opening seductive chords of “Magic to Do”)

PLAYERS
OOH OOH OOH OOH
OHH OOH OOH OOH ...

(The light on THEO gets brighter and brighter as

the orchestra swells ...)

BLACKOUT

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