STERLING – There’s “magic to do” in addition to romance, war, power, intrigue and plenty of song and dance in this year’s summer show for the Sterling Community Theatre Troupe – “Pippin.” The popular musical will be presented as part of Sterling’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 ,in the Sterling High School Theater.

“Pippin” is an unforgettable, iconic musical with a score by Stephen Schwartz, who also composed “Wicked” and “Godspell,” and has inspired generations of theatregoers. The five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway show follows a troupe of traveling players as they present the story of young prince Pippin’s search to find his place in the world. Pippin features a beautiful score, including such songs as “Magic to Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” “No Time at All” and “Morning Glow.”

A cast of 22 including community members, college students, high school students, and even one junior high student will bring the show to life. Half of the cast of the Troupe’s show this year are new and returning students from Sterling College Theatre’s program. 

Sterling College freshman Zeke Thompson from Newton will lead the show as the title character. Each of the three groups will be represented by the leading players of the show within the show’s traveling troupe. They are community member Piper Harding, Sterling High School student Ella Wellman, and Sterling College Theatre student Rachel Thomson. Thomson is also choreographing the show with assistance from Harding. 

Playing Pippin’s parents, Charles and Fastrada, are recent Sterling College graduate Will Dutton and University of Kansas Medical School student Kaci Wilson. Sterling High theater teacher Betsy Dutton will appear as Pippin’s grandmother, singing the memorable song “No Time At All.” Sterling College sophomore Justin Smiley from Tulsa, Okla., will play Pippin’s brother Lewis. 

Sterling community member Jojo Dutton will play Catherine the widow and mother of young child Theo who helps Pippin to see the beauty in the ordinary. Sterling seventh grader Nolan Wellman will be Theo. 

Additional Sterling College students will be players in the show, along with area high school students and community members.

Dennis Dutton is directing the show. Incoming Sterling College music student Natalie Schweizer is pianist and Larry Brownlee is assisting in set design and construction.  Betsy Dutton is designing costumes. 

Tickets for the Sterling summer show are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door before each performance.