A scene from the National Tour of “Pippin” at the Warner Theatre in Erie, Pa.

“We’ve got magic to do … Just for you. We’ve got miracle plays to play.”

“We’ve got parts to perform … Hearts to warm. Kings and things to take by storm.”

“As we go along our way,” brought smiles and toe-tapping excitement to Broadway in Erie, Warner Theatre as the 2017 National Tour of “Pippin” took the stage. Leading Player (Housso Semon) the “narrator” of the acrobatic troupe of performers warmed as the show progressed sharing her soul and compassion speaking directly to the audience at times. The very talented, energetic and flexible ensemble cast told the story of Pippin (Naysh Fox) who longs to find passion and adventure. Fox’s legato and colorful rendition of “Corner of the Sky,” was spiritual, “Rivers belong where they can ramble. Eagles belong where they can fly. I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free. Gotta find my corner, of the sky.” In addition to superb musicality, he moved and danced with formed physicality traversing the swung acrobatic stanchion and chased stair platforms that articulated for a variety of scenes. The word on the street was that many of the “tricks” for this production had to be downscaled or skipped because of the stage limitations: Proscenium 70 feet wide, 32 feet deep, 32 feet high.

This new circus-inspired production continues as Pippin tried to prove his loyalty to his distracted father, King Charles (Brandon Schaefer who attended SUNY at Fredonia theater program). Schaefer was masculine in his role singing with pleasing resonance. His character King Charles was killed in war by Pippin, who realizes his mistake requesting the Leading Player to restore his father’s life.

Emila M. Brown was note worthy as Pippins paternal grandmother tells Pippin not to be so serious and to live a little in her lively performance of “No Time At All,” where she cued audience participation and pointed out she would be singing the bridge. Her characterization was fun and enduring: “Oh, it’s time to start livin.'”

“Time to take a little from this world we’re given. Time to take time, ’cause spring will turn to fall. In just no time at all.” Her movements and dance were perfect and skillfully youthful. Erica Lee Cianciulli was equally skilled vocally and in dance as Fastrada, Pippin’s mother singing the audience pleaser, “Spread a Little Sunshine.” Courtney Dease also excelled vocally and in dance as Pippin’s brother Lewis, who was preferred by Pippins father.

Pippin falls in love with a widowed farm-owner Catherine (Savannah Sprinkle) who adds some comedy relief not being able to make her timely entrance as she fumbles through back-dropped curtains to her prime entrance singing “For I’m just a plain, everyday commonplace, come-what-may, average, ordinary wonderful girl!” This song “Kind of Woman,” was sung to lure Pippin into her passion, which includes a young son that further tugs at Pippin.

Pippin tries to explains his drive for “Extraordinary Things” — “Oh give me my chance, and give me my wings, and don’t make me think about everyday things. They’re unnecessary to someone who is very extraordinary, like me!” Pippin actually played the guitar and sang “Love Song,” to Catherine that ended in a tender duet one of the most special moments of the production.

Pippin struggles to decide whether he should settle down to a peaceful life with Catherine and her son, Theo (Harrison Leahy) who is comforted by Pippin at the death of his pet duck. As time goes by Pippin feels that he must leave the farm searching for his purpose. The acrobatic troupe and the Leading Player set Pippin up for his biggest act which including jumping into a burning ring of fire to find the magic of his internal search. At the last moment Pippins folds in further inventory that results in the literal disassemble of the circus set to the bare walls of the existing theater, the theater lights dimmed, the orchestra cased, leaving Pippin, Catherine and Theo standing in the ghost-light.

Pippin realizes he has given up his extraordinary purpose for the simplest and most ordinary life of all, and he is a happy man. The threesome start off stage and Theo returns to ponder what a life of the circus would be like and to dream about his new life to come. All of a sudden this young man of childhood impeccably sings in A cappella “Rivers belong where they can ramble.” The Leading Player, the troupe returns to the stage with “Magic To Do,” and we see Theo as Pippins replacement.

“Pippin,” book by Roger O. Hirson. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Original direction by Diane Paulus with Tour direction by Mia Walker. Conductor/Music Director/ Keyboard William Shuler. Further blessed by my messaging with Nayah Fox who played Pippin. He stated, “Pippin truly is an extraordinary piece of art and I am humbled to perform it every night. Fox noted that he is treated well where travels by bus or plane, completes eight to ten shows a week. He is enroute for a two day run in Binghamton. Thank you to the 2017 National Tour of “Pippin,” to Nayash Fox and Broadway in Erie.