The Musical Theatre Guild's current show is the musical "Pippin," which opened Friday night to a scantily attended house at the Succop Theatre. Overall, the actors did the best they could with the tricky Schwartz music and lyrics during what seemed to be a bit like a psychedelic burlesque show.

The show's debut on Broadway came Oct. 23, 1972. It was written by Stephen Schwartz as an innovative concept musical comedy, first staged as a modern-day vaudeville/minstrel show by Bob Fosse. It starred Ben Vereen as the leading player and John Rubenstein as Pippin.

The story centers on Charlemagne's oldest son, Pippin, a young prince in 780 A.D., who is searching for fulfillment in the outside world.

Arron Willoughby led the cast with his tenor voice. He opened with "Corner of the Sky," which is his search for meaning. In "With You," he discovers sex during a steamy dance orgy with four gyrating girls in red. He hit his knees in "Prayer for a Duck" and tried to find his feet on "The Right Track," where he was out-danced by the lead player, Ryan Schmidt. He enjoyed a love song with Catherine, played by Cheryl Brasch, who was most pleasant to listen to.

The lithe, flexible, Schmidt played the leading player's deviousness and slickness expertly, once he got comfortable. Schmidt had more moves than a rattlesnake and a wonderful voice. He emphatically and dramatically tugged the audience and occasionally Pippin along on the search. The leading player's role is similar to that of Joel Gray in Cabaret.

Fred Scasso played King Charlemagne with gruff authority and performed "War is a Science" wonderfully with hilarity and panache. His voice was smooth and beautiful; he was almost unrecognizable with the white beard and hair.

Cathy Whitling managed the audience-participation song, "No Time at All," in which she tells Pippin how to enjoy his life because she certainly did. She made the most of her time onstage, burlesquing it a bit in between the verses.

The incomparable Davlin Hupp was evocative in the "Spread a Little Sunshine" number. Her voice was clear as always, and her comical stuff was on the mark. She portrayed the mother of the princes who was obviously biased toward Lewis, who was played by Hans Berg.

Rarely does lighting come into a review unless it is woefully inept. But Pippin's stage lighting was wonderful. It was dramatic and highlighted faces, hands and scenery. It was especially magical during the cathedral scene.

If you were a fan of Hair and Cabaret, you would appreciate this genre of musical comedy. It was a bit lengthy but the ending was worth the wait. While life isn't a Cabaret, Pippin finds the extraordinary isn't always where you expect it.

<b>WHAT: </b>Musical Theater Guild Production of "Pippin"<b>WHEN: </b>8 p.m. weekends through April 8.<b>WHERE: </b>The Succop Theatre at Butler County Community College.<b>TICKETS:</b> $15; available at May's Music Shoppe 247 E. Jefferson St., Butler, by calling the MTG @ 724-287-8243 or $17 at the door, if available.