PIPPIN

February 2, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Ryan Cantwell’s serendipitous story as it relates to the popular musical “Pippin” ironically mirrors the journey taken by the titular character, a young prince searching for meaning and significance.

Further, Cantwell’s history with Tony Award-nominee Stephen (“Wicked”) Schwartz’s “Pippin,” which comes to Cleveland for shows Tuesday through Feb. 15 at the Connor Palace, is not only uncanny but borderline crazy.

“For starters, as a sophomore in high school in Los Angeles I played Pippin,” said Cantwell, calling from Pittsburgh. “Actually, John Rubinstein (first actor to play Pippin on Broadway) gave us a master class that year. It was such a hoot. Also, around the same time, I did a workshop and Stephen Schwartz was our adjudicator.

“I told Stephen I was a big fan. It was right around when ‘Wicked’ had just hit, so he was pretty much the rock star of musical theater. I was just happy to be in his presence. It’s just really fun all of those years later when we met up, Stephen completely remembered that moment.”

He added the same reconnection took place last spring when Cantwell crossed paths with Rubinstein, who also remembered the young and confident performer from a decade before.

“It sent chills through my spine,” Cantwell said “It was the coolest thing. John and I both, we can’t tell the story enough.”

Just like the lead character, Cantwell had to make a choice about exploring a happy yet simple life or risking everything for glory. The latter is what led him to his musical theater career, which he hopes eventually opens the door to conducting major events such as the Grammy and Academy Awards.

As for his love affair with “Pippin,” Cantwell said the production has lived on over the last decade. Even before getting his current gig, he would often play “With You” or “Corner of the Sky” on the piano for no other reason than to just “jam.” So when asked what he brings to the current tour, he said it’s basically a passion that’s infectious with the cast and ensemble.

Also, Cantwell can’t stress enough that this version of “Pippin” is unlike any other production you’ve seen before. Specifically, he talks about the creative decision to add a new layer of experience involving the bolstering of the circus and illusion elements.

“The most noticeable is the circus element, the idea in having a proper and authentic traveling circus is you’d have elements of spectacle,” Cantwell said. “You might have a freak show, a contortionist, this or that. Having these circus elements draws you in, in a way that ‘Pippin’ originally did not do.

“We have this experience with theatergoers where they don’t necessarily walk away with all of the layered depth that’s in there, but they walk out being fully entertained. Even if you’re one that’s not for musical theater — and I have plenty of friends who aren’t in the arts realm, they’re like the typical dudes — they saw the show and enjoyed themselves.

“So there’s a quality associated with this production that’s more inviting.”