When Don Darryl Rivera takes the stage this weekend as a guest performer for Bishop Blanchet High School’s production of “Pippin,” expect a little magic. It’s a trademark for Rivera, a 2002 Blanchet graduate now starring on New York’s Broadway as Iago in the Disney musical “Aladdin.”
Back in his high school days, Rivera starred in Blanchet’s 2001 production of “Pippin,” an experience that made him decide to become a professional actor.
So when Rivera learned Blanchet would produce “Pippin” again this spring, he contacted the school’s longtime drama director Mo Mershon, saying he wanted to be part of the production.
“It blew me away,” said Mershon, who taught Rivera at St. Matthew School in Seattle and directed him in “Pippin” in 2001. “He was fabulous in high school, the kind of kid who was a triple threat — a great actor, a great singer, a great dancer, and [he] plays the piano like nobody’s business,” Mershon said.
In fact, Rivera plays the piano so well that he played for Masses, funerals and weddings at Catholic churches throughout Seattle for five years as a young adult.
After graduating from Cornish College of the Arts, Rivera worked for local theater groups, including Seattle Shakespeare Company. As a regular at Seattle Children’s Theater, he wrote musicals as well as acted, in roles that included a flying monkey and a worm. It’s also where he met his wife.
Although he stands just 5-foot-1 — “staggeringly short,” Rivera says — he believes that helped him land the role in “Aladdin,” standing next to the star a foot taller. He was part of the “Aladdin” cast at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater, which paved the way for him to join the cast when the show opened on Broadway last year.
Rivera took a week off from Broadway to participate in Blanchet’s “Pippin” rehearsals and performances. “The students are excited to work with him on stage,” Mershon said.
Rivera didn’t want to take anything away from the regular cast, Mershon said, so she created a special spot for him where he can do some magic, including some fire tricks. As a child, Rivera secretly dreamed of being a magician; today he injects magic into nearly all of his performances.
Rivera will be among 15 other alumni from the 2001 production who will perform during a special “alumni night” number during the April 18 performance. “It’s very special, and I’m pretty excited about it,” Mershon said.
Rivera said he’s happy to be back in Seattle, where his family still lives, and back in Blanchet’s “Pippin.”
“I feel blessed,” Rivera said. “I’m incredibly lucky to be part of such an amazing team of artists.”
“Pippin” on tap
Bishop Blanchet High School will present the musical “Pippin” April 17-19 at Seattle’s Moore Theater, 1932 Second Ave. spring musical website