The new Playhouse on the Square stars in own debut

Photo by Brandon Dill // Buy this photo

The cast from "Pippin", the premiere play at the new Playhouse on the Square.

Backstage, the actors are racing down a corridor past a table full of props. It takes a minute to get to the other side of the stage now. Not like before, in the old theater, where people still run into the scenery and each other during a set change.

Here in the new Playhouse on the Square, there's space aplenty. Space overhead, space in the wings, space for an orchestra, space in the dressing rooms.

Christopher Blank/Special to The Commercial Appeal

Actor Sean Blake as the Leading Player in the musical "Pippin," and other cast members have plenty of room to stretch their talents at the new Playhouse on the Square.

Photo by Brandon Dill, Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial appeal

Sean Blake (left) stars as the Leading Player and Alvaro Francisco plays the title role in "Pippin," the first production at the new Playhouse on the Square theater.

Watching his 23 cast members rehearse the first show on the new stage, director Scott Ferguson sees the characters getting bigger each day. They finally have room to grow.

"I feel like I've done a lot of big shows in small venues," said the director from Chicago. "But this is probably the first time I've done a small show in a big way."

Five years after buying the property on the corner of Cooper and Union along with the adjacent five-story office building, Playhouse on the Square premieres its first production tonight. It runs through Feb. 21.

The 1972 Stephen Schwartz musical "Pippin" was chosen partly because of its simplicity.

"The show begins and ends on an empty stage," said Ferguson. "What a great way to show off the theatricality of the space. There's a line that says 'we have magic to do,' and the original idea is that we're creating an environment where magic can happen."

Though the set is considered minimal, the technicians are using everything in their new arsenal on the show, from the trapdoor in the stage, to the fly system that will eventually have Peter Pan soaring over the heads of pirates. Designed after Chicago's Steppenwolf, the $12.5 million building has a brand new sound and light system, allowing the theater to expand its technical abilities.

"We wanted to explore all the new things we could do," said choreographer Jay Rapp. "We tried to incorporate little hints of what the audience will see in future shows. Not too much. Just a taste."

"Pippin" was also chosen for its themes. In the plot, the son of Charlemagne goes on a journey of self-discovery, trying to figure out the secret of happiness in life.

"It's the perfect story for opening a theater," Ferguson said. "I identify with the message. The end of the play gets me every night."

The original "Pippin" was choreographed by Bob Fosse, and the music is known for its 1970s feel. Music director Renee Kemper has tried to make the sound more contemporary, while getting used to having a luxuriously large orchestra pit to perform in.

Ferguson, 41, said he felt honored when asked to direct the show. Back home, he heads Theaterbam Chicago, a traveling children's theater company. In 1993, he created "School House Rock Live!" -- a musical based on the Saturday morning cartoons, which is still being performed across the country.

He is also the associate artistic director of About Face Theatre Company, and is among a group of 12 people reviving the critically acclaimed Bailiwick Chicago theater company. For Playhouse, he has directed "Aida," "Altar Boyz," and "Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens," among other titles.

"People say I'm good at schmaltz and cheese," he said. "But I definitely don't want to be labeled. 'Pippin' has high camp, but it's also sweet and heartwarming."

With the finishing touches still being added to the theater this week, getting the show up and running was a challenge for the cast and crew.

"In one sense, I was scared to death with this job," Ferguson said. "I just kept saying 'Let the theater be finished!' Now I'm amazed how fast it all came together. It's looking like we really have a show here."

After the opening of the new theater, the old Playhouse on the Square across the street will close for renovations. It reopens Feb. 26 as Circuit Playhouse with a production of "The Miracle Worker."

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"Pippin"

The show runs through Feb. 21 at the new Playhouse on the Square, 66 S. Cooper. Shows are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $35 adults; $20 seniors, students, military; $15 children. All tickets are $20 this Saturday and Sunday. The First Sunday event follows the Sunday matinee, with complimentary food, beverages and a tour of the theater. Call 726-4656.

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