Kyle Dean Massey, Ciara Renee Take on Leads in Broadway’s ‘Pippin’

Kyle Dean Massey and Ciara Renee will take on the roles of Pippin and Leading Player, respectively, in the Broadway revival of Pippin. Matthew James Thomas who played Pippin and Patina Miller, who won the 2013 Tony Award for her role as the Leading Player, played their final performances March 30. Massey and Renee will assume these roles beginning April 1 at the Music Box Theatre.

They will join a cast that includes Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann as Charles, Tony Award nominee Charlotte d’Amboise as Fastrada, Rachel Ray Jones as Catherine, and Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Annie Potts as Berthe.

Both Massey and Renee have experience on the stage. Massey was recently seen as Fiyero in Broadway’s Wicked and has also been seen in Broadway’s Next to Normal as well as Off-Broadway’s Altar Boys. Renee debuted on Broadway this season as The Witch in Big Fish.

Pippin, based on press notes, “tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory?”

Diane Paulus, known for her work in Porgy and Bess and Hair, directs the musical that features circus choreography and acrobatics organized by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker. The production also features a book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Producers have announced U.S. national tour for the musical that will launch September 2014 at the Buell Theatre in Denver, CO. Additional plans have been made for the production to make its way to London, Australia, and Amsterdam in 2015.