Signature Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the musical Pippin, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Wicked) and a book by Roger O. Hirson. The production will star Brayden Bambino (The Flea’s Orion and the Goatman, American Theatre of Actors’ GoodTV) as Pippin and Cedric Neal (The Bridge Theatre’s Guys and Dolls, Signature’s Dreamgirls) as the Leading Player. Pippin will be directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, HAIR) with choreography by Rachel Leigh Dolan (Olney Theatre Center’s Annie, Keegan Theatre’s Chicago) and music direction by Jon Kalbfleisch (Signature’s Fiddler on the Roof, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). Performances run May 12 – July 26, 2026 in Signature’s MAX Theatre. Tickets start at $47 and are available at SigTheatre.org.
“Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson wrote Pippin in the early 1970s, at a time when the optimism of the previous decade was giving way to something more uncertain,” said Signature Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner. “That feeling runs through the musical: a young man searching for fulfillment while being seduced by a dangerous troupe of traveling players who promise that glory will finally make his life feel complete. My hope is to restore some of the shadows inherent in the piece, creating a production that feels electric, seductive, and alive with danger – all with the intimacy that only Signature Theatre can offer.”
Stephen Schwartz’s (Godspell, Wicked) musical masterpiece of purpose, ambition, lust and glory sizzles for summer, thrillingly staged as only Matthew Gardiner can do. A traveling troupe of performers brings to life the story of Pippin, the restless heir of Charlemagne, on his quest for purpose. Dreaming of greatness, he dives into war, passion, and even murder — only to find himself disillusioned at every turn in this dazzling and provocative coming-of-age parable about what it means to be extraordinary. Join us for this sardonic and witty extravaganza, flush with spellbinding dance and the iconic songs “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic to Do,” and “Morning Glow.”
“Signature is well-known for producing ambitious, boundary-pushing musicals in an intimate space, and Pippin proudly continues that tradition,” said Signature Theatre Managing Director Maggie Boland. “Pippin will be staged entirely in-the-round, guaranteeing that audiences are no more than 4 rows from the action onstage and providing an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy the company’s incredible artistry in a way that’s uniquely ours. Signature Theatre continues to be the best place to experience musicals in America, by any measure.”
The cast of Pippin is rounded out by Ellison Bihm (Silver Spring Stage’s A Christmas Carol) as Theo, Eric Hissom (Signature’s JOB, Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Our Town) as Charles, Naomi Jacobson (Signature’s Cabaret, Arena Stage’s POTUS) as Berthe, Maria Rizzo (Signature’s Ragtime, Into the Woods) as Fastrada, Awa Sal Secka (Signature’s Play On!, Arena Stage’s Chez Joey) as Catherine, and Ryan Sellers (Signature’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Round House Theatre’s The Tempest) as Lewis. The ensemble of Pippin includes Ben Bogen (Broadway’s Frozen, Signature’s Fiddler on the Roof), Calvin L’mont Cooper (Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire, National Tour of Finding Neverland), Candice Hatakeyama (Broadway’s Funny Girl, Asolo Rep’s Crazy for You), Georgia Monroe (Broadway’s Sunset Blvd., Arena Stage’s Damn Yankees), Alanna Sibrián (Signature’s In the Heights, Olney Theatre Center’s Senior Class), Jacob Taylor Starks (Broadway’s Aladdin, The Atlanta Opera’s RENT), Emily Steinhardt (Signature’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Private Jones), and Hank von Kolnitz (Signature’s Fiddler on the Roof, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). Dylan Arredondo (Signature’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Alonso Nicolas Waller (Ford’s Theatre’s A Christmas Carol), and Liz Weber (Studio Theatre’s Heroes of the Fourth Turning) are understudies. Veronica Quezada (International Tour of West Side Story) and Ian Rubin (Music Theatre Wichita’s Something Rotten) are swings.
The creative team for Pippin includes Scenic Design by Christopher and Justin Swader (Signature’s Private Jones, Primary Stages’ Dig), Costume Design by Erik Teague (Signature’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Lighting Design by Adam Honoré (Broadway’s Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ragtime), Sound Design by Eric Norris (Signature’s Safety Not Guaranteed, In Clay), and Wig Design by Anne Nesmith (Signature’s Fiddler on the Roof, In the Heights). Casey Kaleba is the Fight Choreographer, Chelsea Pace is the Intimacy Choreographer, Ryan Phillips is the Illusions Consultant. Casting is by Charlotte Sandor. New York Casting is by Geoff Josselson Casting. Kerry Epstein is the Production Stage Manager, Tori Schuchmann and Julia Singer are Assistant Stage Managers, Clancey Yovanovich is the Associate Director, William Yanesh is the Associate Music Director, Georgia Monroe is the Associate Choreographer, Channing Tucker is the Assistant Costume Designer, Yannick Godts is the Associate Lighting Designer, Mo Oslejsek is the Associate Sound Designer, and Priscilla Bruce is the Assistant Wig Designer.
Pippin runs May 12 – July 26, 2026, in the MAX Theatre at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA. Tickets start at $47 and are available online or by calling the box office at 703.820.9771.
Closed captions will be available for every show via the GalaPro app.
Pride Night: June 12, 2026
Post-show Discussions: June 3 and June 16, 2026
ASL Interpreted: July 11 (2PM), 2026
Masks Required: May 31 (2PM), 2026
ABOUT SIGNATURE THEATRE
Signature Theatre is a Tony Award-winning regional theater that broadens and brightens the region’s cultural landscape with its bold productions of challenging new and established works and engaging education and outreach programs. Founded in 1989 by Eric Schaeffer and Donna Migliaccio, and currently under the leadership of Managing Director Maggie Boland and Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner, musical theater is Signature’s “signature,” and the Theatre is renowned for its definitive Sondheim productions, inventive adaptations of overlooked or forgotten works, and investment in fresh new projects. Signature combines Broadway-caliber productions with intimate playing spaces and aims to be a leading force in U.S. musical theater.
Since its inception, the Theatre has produced 61 world premiere works — including 20 new musical commissions. Signature opens its doors to more than 100,000 people annually from the Washington, DC region and beyond and reaches more than 10,000 students every year through its innovative education programs, including the award-winning initiative Signature in the Schools. Signature has won 148 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in the Washington, DC region’s professional theater and has been honored with 527 nominations.
