When the Department of Theatre and Dance at California State University, Fullerton decided to take on the production of Pippin, they took it all the way to 1969 with a Woodstock-inspired set designed by Ann Sheffield. LD Debra Lockwood used Wybron’s Nexera dichroic color-changing fixtures for the vibrant color necessary to complete the psychedelic look.
"Our production of Pippin was indeed visually influenced by Woodstock. It was not a literal copy of the stage but Woodstock served as the main reference for all the design elements. The director, James Taulli, asked us to create a world where a traveling troupe of players could decide to do their show. The designs were all influenced by the Woodstock stage," says Debra Lockwood, award-winning lighting designer and CSUF’s production manager. "It was very colorful and a lot of fun to design. The Nexeras were a perfect choice to achieve the variety in color that I was looking for to represent the colorful 1960s."
The story of a young Prince Pippin (son of Charlemagne) and his struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood has been delighting audiences since its 1972 Tony Award-winning Broadway debut. This hip, surrealistic musical is a favorite of directors, with a pop-inspired score by Stephen Schwartz.
For more information about the Theatre and Dance program at Cal State Fullerton, visit www.fullerton.edu/arts/theatredance/.
Photos by Edwin Lockwood.