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PIPPIN

The Bob Fosse Lines



After Godspell had opened, its composer, Stephen Schwartz, returned to looking for a producer for a
show he had written called Pippin, Pippin. Stuart Ostrow agreed to produce it, but wanted a new script.
By the time the new book was written by Roger O. Hirson, now called The Adventures of Pippin, an
entirely new score had to be written as well. To direct the show, Ostrow hired the respected
director/choreographer Bob Fosse. But Fosse didnt like the show. It was cute and very sentimental and
Fosse had developed a reputation for dark, often disturbing musical theatre. He wanted to make Pippin
more into his kind of show. Historians and people involved with the show say Fosse greatly re-wrote
Hirsons script, but he asked for no official credit. (Hirson strongly denies that Fosse wrote any part of the
show.) Neither Schwartz nor Hirson liked the re-writes or the style of the show as it was finally set.

After the Broadway run, Schwartz had much of Fosses material taken back out of the script and his and
Hirsons work restored. It is this tamer, watered-down version which was available for amateur
productions for many years, and though the 1981 videotaped production of the show that was released
commercially did include many of Fosses rewrites, one couldnt change the licensed version without
permission. Around the early 2000s, Schwartz and Hirson began to reintroduce Fosses contributions to
the script without credit, no doubt in response to repeated queries from people asking where the stuff
that made the show work had gone (though Schwartz now claims that the olderand thusly more
cynicalhe gets, the more he has become the defender of Fosses vision, which could be equally true).
Some lines were re-added, but not all; some were merely never restored, while others were either cut
or replaced with either something wholly different or something in a similar spirit, but not the exact
wording.

This is a list of Fosse lines, along with notations as to which of the two scripts you now have include
them. A specific line in the script will be listed before and after Fosses line to give you an idea of where
it would go in either script. In these instances, Fosses line will be rendered in bold. Just for jolly, I also
threw in notes of lines that got changed further by Schwartz/Hirson under the New Script column. Page
numbers indicate the actual number printed in the script, not the page number in the PDF.

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
A PLAYER: Holy war!
A PLAYER: Love!
LEADING PLAYER: And a climax
Does not include Does not include 3
LEADING PLAYER: That he was
A PLAYER: A midget.
LEADING PLAYER: That he was
Does not include Does not include (changes
Completely bald at the
age of fourteen to Left-
handed, except for
bowling)
4
LEADING PLAYER: He may be a little nervous.
This is his first time playing this role.
PIPPIN: Could I have some more lights, please?
LEADING PLAYER: Well, hes not that nervous.
Does not include Included 5
PIPPIN: I promise not to waste my life on
commonplace, ordinary pursuits.
A PLAYER: (Sarcastically) Terrific.
Included Does not include 5

PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
PIPPIN: Yes. Thats it. Something completely fulfilling.
A PLAYER: Oh, fantastic.
Included Does not include 5
PIPPIN: The first day I was home from Padua I tried to get
an audience with my father, but they told me he was too
busy. The second day I tried to speak with him at dinner,
but he was too drunk. The third day, today... he came to
visit me.
Does not include Does not include 7 (MTI)
8 (old)
CHARLES: Well, welcome home, son well
PIPPIN: Oh, Father, Ive wanted to talk with you so badly.
CHARLES: Talk talk yes, talk talking is good.
Does not include Does not include 8 (old/new)
CHARLES: LAST NIGHT, DIDNT YOU MISS DINNER?
PIPPIN: No, Father, I was right there, but you were
drinking
CHARLES: Oh. (beat) Ah, yes I remember I always
remember. Well, how did things go in Padua?
PIPPIN: Not very well, sir, some of my tutors
Does not include Does not include 8/9 (MTI)
9 (old)
LEWIS: And its going to slay even more Visigoths. Right,
Father?
CHARLES: (aside) Why do I always get nauseous when he
calls me father?
Does not include Does not include 10
PIPPIN: Glorys in the air! And what am I doing? Running
around on a dark stage like an idiot.
Does not include Does not include
(added segment with
LEWIS cutting off
soldiers arm in
swordplay, and saying
Oops! My bad!)
13
PIPPIN: Prince Pippin. One day I will be King. (rises on
tiptoes)
A PLAYER: And one day Ill be queen.
Does not include Does not include 14
BARON: But, sire, my cattle are dying and my fields are
barren and my soldiers have the French disease.
Does not include Does not include 15
BARON: But, sire, that is unjust and tyrannical. I object
(realizing too late he has spoken his mind, clapping a
hand over his mouth) Oops!
CHARLES: Take that man away and hang him!
BARON: (as hes dragged off) Charlie! You are a tyrant!!!
CHARLES: Next!
Does not include Does not include 15







PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
CHARLES: You, on the other hand, are educated.
(begins to exit)
PIPPIN: But Father, I have to talk to you!
CHARLES: Im busy!
PIPPIN: Youre always either busy or drunk!
CHARLES: (turns, in a fury) Or suffering the insults
of ungrateful offspring!
PIPPIN: (chastened) Im sorry, Father.
CHARLES: Very well. Go ahead. Im listening.
PIPPIN: Im your oldest son
Does not include Does not include 16
CHARLES: to the entire world, even if we have to
kill every non-believer to do it.
Does not include Included 16
A SOLDIER: Blood!
ANOTHER SOLDIER: Glory!
Does not include Does not include 17
PIPPIN: Father, why cant we just go out there and
slaughter them?
SOLDIERS: (in rhythm) Yuk-yuk!
Does not include Does not include 18
PIPPIN: and kill at will?
SOLDIERS: (in rhythm) Doo dah, doo dah!
Does not include Does not include 18
CHARLES: WITH RULES TO BE APPLIED
SOLDIERS: (interjecting, accompanied by stage
business) Yeah!
Does not include Does not include 19 (MTI)
18 (old)

CHARLES: RECALL AND RECAPITULATE
SOLDIERS: (interjecting, accompanied by stage
business) Hah!
Does not include Does not include 19 (MTI)
18 (old)

CHARLES: AND RETIRE TO POINT A
(punctuating, accompanied by stage business)
Skidoo!
Does not include Does not include
(this verse is cut
in full from new
one)
19
PIPPIN: A GRATEFUL NATIONS CHEERS!
(punctuating, accompanied by stage business)
Doo dah!
Does not include Does not include 19
CHARLES: A BREEDING GROUND FOR BRAINS
SOLDIERS: (interjecting, accompanied by stage
business) Ha-cha-cha!
Does not include Does not include 19
CHARLES: FOR THOUGH I CANNOT WRITE MY
NAME
SOLDIERS: (interjecting, accompanied by stage
business) Yuk-yuk!
Does not include Does not include 19









PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
CHARLES: WELL HAVE OURSELVES A MASSACRE
SOLDIERS: (punctuating, accompanied by stage
business) Yeah!
Does not include Does not include
(this verse is cut in
full from new one)
20
CHARLES: Pippin! I shall not caution you again.
War is a very serious business.
PIPPIN: Im sorry, Father
Does not include Does not include 20
CHARLES: AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN
SOLDIERS: (punctuating, accompanied by stage
business) Doo-dah!
Does not include Does not include 21 (MTI)
20 (old)

LEWIS: Nicely done, Father.
CHARLES: (confronting PIPPIN) Pippin, I find your
attitude disturbing. Perhaps it wasnt a good idea to
bring you along on this campaign
PIPPIN: Oh, Father, dont send me home! Please!
Im sorry! I dont know what happened to me! Ill be
fine in battle, sir! It was just all that talk about
enfilade and defilade
Does not include Does not include 21
CHARLES: Thats the way its done.
LEWIS: (echoing, smart-ass tone) Thats the way its
done.
CHARLES: Thats the rules.
LEWIS: Thats the rules.
(CHARLES silences him with a withering look)
Does not include Does not include 21
CHARLES: ask for victory in combat tomorrow.
Give us the power to butcher the Infidel, that the
righteous may flourish upon the face of the earth.
Does not include Included 21
Disc jockey sequence of Glory (radio station scene
a la Hi-Los [music partially recycled as entracte in
2013 revival], and Lets hear it for those all-time
favorites recounting a list of all the war casualties
from the Holy Wars to World War Two, just before
Manson Trio)
Does not include Does not include 23
LEADING PLAYER: Ahh, you aint seen nothin yet,
folks!
ALL: THE GATES OF HEAVEN AWAIT
Does not include Included (minus
folks)
24 (MTI)
23 (old)

ALL: YEAH!
SOLDIERS: (acknowledging applause, shell-shocked,
zombie like) Thank you.
CHARLES: Weve won!
Does not include Does not include 24
PIPPIN: (ruefully) Im a soldier. (seeing a head) I
suppose its a little late to wonder
Does not include Does not include 25 (MTI)
24 (old)



PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
HEAD: It is a little late.
PIPPIN: (a double-take) Did you say something?
HEAD: I said it is a little late. But as long as youre
interested
Does not include Does not include 25
LEADING PLAYER: Charlemagnes mother exiled from
court due to a personality conflict with her daughter-in-
law Fastrada. Now living in the country where she enjoys
those
Does not include Included 28
BERTHE: some frolicking some hanky-panky maybe?
PIPPIN: I dont know what I need, Grandma.
BERTHE: Well, I know what I need, Pippin. (before the
audience can fill in their own punch-line mentally) I need
some juicy gossip. Youve got to tell me whats
happening at court. Is that handsome priest listening to
confession?
PIPPIN: You havent changed
Does not include Does not include 29
BERTHE: Now let me take this one all by myself, all right?
And Im gonna do it from center stage.
Does not include Does not include 32
LEADING PLAYER: (back to PIPPIN now) Thats right
PIPPIN: Its got to stop.
LEADING PLAYER: It has got to stop.
PIPPIN: I think its time
Does not include Does not include 37 (MTI)
36 (old)

PIPPIN: terror and bloodshed must be ended. (to the
LEADING PLAYER) Im a politician.
(LEADING PLAYER swaps out straw hat for a different
one, trademark Castro hat)
LEADING PLAYER: Youre a revolutionary, and baby,
youre beautiful!
PIPPIN: We need a leader
Does not include Does not include 37 (MTI)
36 (old)

FASTRADA: than think I was in any way responsible for
what happened next! After all, Im just an ordinary
housewife and mother, just like all you housewives and
mothers out there. The fact that my husband is King and
my son Lewis heir to the throne (after Pippin, of course)
doesnt make my problems any different from your
problems. I try to run a good home, make things pleasant
for Charles, despite the fact that he kidnapped me from
my father, raped me, and committed other indignities
upon my body before marrying me. I dont hold grudges.
(Cue first verse of Sunshine, followed by :) Word had
come to me (the song is then broken up slightly
differently in following scene; see page 11 for the
breakdown)
Does not include Does not include 38

PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
CHARLES: But, by God, I blew my breath across a
continent and shaped an empire with it.
LEADING PLAYER: (appears, applauding) Bravo!
That was beautiful, Charles!
CHARLES: Oh, did you like it?
LEADING PLAYER: I loved it. (gestures to audience)
They all did.
CHARLES: Thank you so much. (CHARLES turns
back to PIPPIN as LEADING PLAYER exits) So you
think you could do better than I.
PIPPIN: Yes, I do. I have to.
CHARLES: Well, if you really believe that, theres
only one thing you can do.
(CHARLES takes out the knife and hands it to
PIPPIN)
PIPPIN: Thank you, I brought my own.
(PIPPIN takes out a knife from his sleeve)
CHARLES: Then use it.
PIPPIN: (trying to reason) Father, there must be
another way
CHARLES: None! Now if you have no further
business
Does not include Included (minus
There must be
another way)
43/44 (MTI)
45 (old)

PIPPIN: MORNING GLOW IS LONG PAST DUE.
(spoken) Im sorry, Father. I hope I can make a
better world.
Does not include Does not include 45 (MTI)
46 (old)

BEGGAR: I am a very poor man. I have eighteen
children and I cant find work. You have much and I
have nothing. Is that fair?
PIPPIN: No. Thats completely unfair. Treasurer?
(TREASURER steps into the light) I order you to
distribute money for the poor, with an extra
allowance for every child.
(THEY ALL applaud as the BEGGAR thanks him)
Does not include Does not include
(scene is shortened
in this version,
making the poor
beggar the same
peasant who wants
to own the land he
cultivates)
47
PIPPIN: Well then I hereby abolish taxes.
(THEY ALL applaud)
LEADING PLAYER: King Pippin, the Generous!
Does not include Included 47 (MTI)
48 (old)

PIPPIN: No more taxes, no more army.
LEADING PLAYER: King Pippin, the Magnanimous!
Does not include Does not include 48





PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
LEWIS (or FIELD MARSHAL): He
has. (THEY ALL turn to PIPPIN) I
await your orders.
PIPPIN: I hereby order you to
seek out the enemy and
negotiate a settlement.
LEADING PLAYER: King Pippin, the
Peaceful!
Does not include (except for
last line in different context)
Does not include (except for last line in
different context; also, LEWIS replaces
FIELD MARSHAL in MTI script)
48 (MTI)
49 (old)

(FASTRADA runs on, briefly
grieving over CHARLES before
cutting to the chase)
FASTRADA: Sire, the Treasurer
refuses me my royal allowance.
PIPPIN: (nods) From now on, all
royalty, including myself, must
forgo luxury and extravagance.
FASTRADA: (cheerily) Oh!
(exiting) Isnt that a crock!
LEADING PLAYER: King Pippin, the
Humble!
Does not include Does not include 48 (MTI)
49 (old)

(FIELD MARSHAL [or LEWIS]
returns)
LEWIS (or FIELD MARSHAL): Sire,
I have met with the Hun! He will
withdraw on one condition.
PIPPIN: There! You see? I told
you, there isnt one problem that
cant be settled by sitting down
and talking it over! Whats the
condition?
LEWIS (or FIELD MARSHAL): He
demands your reproductive
organs separated from the rest of
your anatomy.
PIPPIN: (in shock) What?
(LEADING PLAYER whispers in his
ear) Oh. (crosses his legs) Well
then, in that case, I hereby
declare (PLAYERS eyes turn to
him) a limited police action.
(Half cheer, other half boo)
LEADING PLAYER: (reassuring)
Well, what the hell? You cant
please everybody!
Does not include Somewhat included (combo of old line
with new line: He demands your
reproductive organs on a pike staff)
48 (MTI)
49 (old)

PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines


Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
NOBLE: I have neither
money nor power over the
peasants.
PIPPIN: Oh, yes, thats a very
good point.
PLAYERS: (mockingly,
imitating his tone) Thats a
very good point.
Does not include Does not include (scene is shortened
overall due to combo of peasant
famer with beggar)
49 (MTI)
50 (old)

PEASANT: when the poor
get handouts from the royal
treasury?
BEGGAR: (to other PLAYERS)
I bet he says, Youre
absolutely right.
PIPPIN: Youre absolutely
right.
Does not include Does not include (scene is shortened
overall due to combo of peasant
famer with beggar)
49 (MTI)
50 (old)

PIPPIN: Could you just let me
think a minute Please
VARIOUS PLAYERS:
(mockingly) Oh, the King is
thinking please, let the King
think
Does not include Does not include 49 (MTI)
50 (old)

FASTRADA: Darling, youre a
born ruler. Youre doing a
wonderful job.
PIPPIN: But I havent been
able to change one single
thing since my father died!
FASTRADA: Thats exactly
what I mean. Your father
would be so proud of you.
Now about my royal
allowance
Does not include Does not include 50
PIPPIN: Nothing turns out the
way I thought it would.
Alright, I know this is a
musical comedy. But I want
my life to mean something!
LEADING PLAYER: But it will.
It will. It will. (into song)
Does not include Does not include (replaced with two-
act split, but the old rendition of the
line appears post-Politics and pre-
false Finale)
53 (MTI)
52/53 (old)

CATHERINE: God! What a
challenge! That was my best
number! For a long time
Does not include Does not include 58
PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
CATHERINE: Couldnt you please help me
LEADING PLAYER: (appears suddenly) Hold it! Hold
it! Youre supposed to read the line naggingly.
CATHERINE: But he touched my hand. They dont
usually do that.
LEADING PLAYER: I dont care where he puts his
hand. Read it naggingly!
CATHERINE: (to PIPPIN, naggingly) Pippin, this is a
large estate. Im all alone here and I cant do all this
work by myself. Couldnt you please help me!?
PIPPIN: All right! All right! (HE starts to go) Anything
to shut you up.
Does not include Included
(incidentally, lots of
little things are
changed about
Theo, who is almost
completely
differently
characterized in the
MTI script; just
follow that for
those moments)
60/61 (MTI)
60 (old)

LEADING PLAYER: a whole lot of that. (PIPPIN and
CATHERINE come around the bed now, and start to
move downstage) But, the season changed as it
always does. Pages flew off the calendar and blew
away in the wind. And then it happened.
Suddenly, shamelessly, and without warning, as it
does in all musical comedies, they were struck by a
love song.
Does not include Does not include 69 (how
appropriate)
CATHERINE: In the year that youve been with us, a
lot of water has flowed under the dam, and
LEADING PLAYER: (appearing suddenly) Over the
dam. Water flows over the dam.
CATHERINE: Im sorry, I know. I seem to be a little
bit confused.
LEADING PLAYER: I can see that. Try sticking to the
part, huh?
CATHERINE: I will. (SHE turns to PIPPIN) In the year
that youve been with us, a lot of water has flowed
over the dam. Youve come to mean a great deal to
me
Does not include Included 71/72 (MTI)
72 (old)

CATHERINE: The years we spent together were the
happiest of my life. And then he was struck by he
was struck by whats my line? I cant remember
my next line (losing it) Somethings going wrong!
Its not supposed to be like this! Pippin, I really want
you to stay! I love you, Pippin! (on the verge of
tears) I love you (The lights begin to go out on
CATHERINE) Could you hold the light
Does not include Somewhat included
(she only stumbles
for a moment, but
finishes her soap
opera speech)
73
CATHERINE: HIS FACE WAS FAR FROM FINE
LEADING PLAYER: What are you doing?
Does not include Included 73


PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Fosse Line Old Script New Script Page #
CATHERINE: AND WONDER IF HES MISSING MINE
LEADING PLAYER: You dont have a song here.
CATHERINE: I do now. (SHE continues to sing as the
orchestra sneaks in) SOME DAYS
Does not include Included 74 (MTI)
73 (old)

CATHERINE: WHEN HE WAS REALLY EVEN WORSE
LEADING PLAYER: I really dont think you should sing
anymore.
(But when CATHERINE persists, HE smiles to the
audience, graciously makes a presenting Catherine
gesture, and exits)
Does not include Included 74
BERTHE: and life again
LEADING PLAYER: Why, the final affirmation of life:
death. (turns to the audience) Ladies and gentlemen
Does not include Does not include 77
LEADING PLAYER: Now, Pippin its time. Hey, youre
not going to disappoint all these people at __ dollars a
seat, are you?
Does not include Does not include 78 (MTI)
79 (old)

ALL: Compromiser!
LEADING PLAYER: (to CATHERINE) I mightve known
youd screw this up, you and that damn lovable kid of
yours!
Does not include Does not include 81 (MTI)
82 (old)

CATHERINE: How do you feel?
PIPPIN: Trapped (HE looks from one to the other and
smiles) which isnt too bad for the end of a musical
comedy. Ta da!
Trapped but
happy
New ending
replaces this
whole scene
84/85 (MTI)
85 (old)





















PIPPIN
The Bob Fosse Lines

Appendix: SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE ( la Fosse) Breakdown

(NOTE: You will mainly be following the old script if you decide to do this production the Fosse way.
Chunks of this scene were cut in the MTI script.)

Printed opening by FASTRADA up through responsible for what happened next!
I dont hold grudges section
BACK IN MY YOUNGER DAYS
Word had come to me
Revolution scene where PIPPINs followers run off
Youll be next in line for the throne, darling! exchange
In fear of my beloved husbands life through I felt deeply
LORD KNOWS WEVE SEEN ENOUGH
Will you be praying at Arles next month? through what sweeter words could a
mother hear
I KNOW THE PARABLES
Completely forgot to warn him section (ending with My son, the King)
DANCE BREAK (optional in MTI score)
Song ends as in script

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