“Pippin,” the iconic coming-of-age show, is the summer musical, July 22 - Aug. 7, The Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem.

There’s “magic to do” when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz’s award-winning musical masterpiece.

With an infectious score from the four-time Grammy winner and three-time Oscar winner, “Pippin” is the story of a young man’s journey to be extraordinary.

Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin (Crede Cooper) is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment.

Pippin’s father, King Charlemagne (Mark Boyer), wants his son to follow in his footsteps as a courageous, ruthless crusader. Pippin finds this nearly impossible and runs away, only to find the fair Catherine (Alexandria Austin), who may be the answer to his prayers, or not.

She has a precocious son, Theo (Cashton Zisa Morrow), who helps Pippin realize there are more important things than a life of meaningless riches, glory and sex.

Also helping Pippin find his way is his feisty grandmother, Berthe (Trish Steel), who gives him music advice, while his stepmother, Fastrada (Beth Sucro), and her dim-witted son, Lewis (Alex Kleinschmidt), plot to remove Charlemagne as king to further their own plans.

In the end, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.

The musical uses the premise of a mysterious performance troupe, led by the Leading Player (CaSandra Danubio), to tell the story and is known for breaking the “fourth wall” frequently.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 1973 and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, receiving nine Tonys, including lead actor for Ben Vereen. A Broadway revival in 2013, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and received four Tonys, including best revival.

The show includes the memorable songs “Magic to Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” “No Time at All” and “Spread a Little Sunshine.”

Danubio and Cooper are Playhouse newcomers. Danubio, a 2020 Allen High School graduate, is a musical theater student at DeSales University where she recently played Cassandra in the Act 1 production of Euripides’ “The Trojan Women.”

Cooper is a 2020 graduate of Kutztown High School, who recently played the role of Jack in Cedar Crest College’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods.”

The cast includes Whitney Madill, Joshua Schwirtz, Samantha Ferrante, Ericka Csencsits, Anthony Kompa, Jenny Delorimier, Bryanna Pye, Griffin Boyle, Olivia Byrne and Nik Georgievski.

Clair Freeman is director. Rebecca Pieper is music director.

Freeman says the show is about “coming to terms with who you are.

“Pippin is the reason I got interested in doing theater. After seeing the original Broadway production I knew I wanted to be involved in something that brought this kind of excitement to people,” Freeman says.

Choreographer Mackenzie Lewis will create dance routines inspired by the original Bob Fosse choreography.

The wearing of face masks is recommended in the Playhouse.

“Pippin,” 7:30 p.m. July 22, 23, 29, 30, Aug. 5, 6; 6 p.m. July 24, 31, Aug. 7. Tickets: http://www.paplayhouse.org ; 610-865-6665

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com.