Veteran Broadway producers have signed on as backers of the American Repertory Theater's new staging of “Pippin†in Cambridge, Mass., increasing the likelihood that the musical - a beloved 1972 show that burnished the reputations of the composer Stephen Schwartz and the director Bob Fosse - will return to New York this spring for the first time since the original production closed in 1977. Barry Weissler, the Tony Award-winning producer of the Broadway revival of “Chicago†and many other musicals, said on Thursday that he and his wife, Fran, along with producers Howard and Janet Kagan, had provided enhancement money to support “Pippin†at the nonprofit American Repertory. Such a business deal enables them to put together a commercial production of “Pippin†for Broadway.
Mr. Weissler said that no plan for Broadway was in place, though other theater industry executives say he is talking to Broadway theater owners about a house for “Pippinâ€; Mr. Weis sler declined to comment on a Broadway theater or timing for a possible move to New York. The revival, directed by Diane Paulus (“The Gershwins' Porgy and Bessâ€) and featuring a collaboration with the Montreal circus troupe 7 Fingers, began performances on Wednesday at the American Repertory, where Ms. Paulus is artistic director. The musical, about the son of the French king Charlemagne, has music and lyrics by Mr. Schwartz (“Wickedâ€) and a book by Roger O. Hirson.
