Sometimes big theater shows are not produced locally because the rights are unavailable, but that was finally not the case with the Tony Award-winning musical “Pippin.”

Oak Lawn Park District Theatre stages “Pippin” Friday through Aug. 13 at Oak View Center in Oak Lawn.

Paul Nirchi, the show’s producer and director, said, “I’ve always liked the music in (‘Pippin’) and I like (Bob) Fosse quite a bit and it’s a Fosse show. I thought the audience would enjoy something different and fresh because it hasn’t been done for a number of years.”

Dancer Bob Fosse won Tony Awards for best direction of a musical and best choreography for the 1972 Broadway production of “Pippin,” which also netted Ben Vereen a Tony for best performance by a leading actor in a musical. The 2013 run on Broadway won several Tonys, including best revival of a musical.

Once the show became available, Nirchi, who has been directing plays for 40 years, jumped on it.

“The story is about Charlemagne and his son Pippin,” said Nirchi, of Orland Park. “Pippin’s trying to find the meaning of life.”

Pippin’s quest is presented through dance and music, Nirchi said.

Helping Nirchi with “Pippin” are assistant director Brad Kisner, of Chicago; musical director Jennifer Dale, of Oak Lawn; choreographer Kelsey Bischoff; and Gil Oliva on set and lighting design.

The cast for the show includes Chicago, Mokena and New Lenox residents.

“Of all the shows this is one of the best casts I’ve ever had,” said Nirchi, who started Oak Lawn Park District Theatre with former Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann.

“These young people who are in the show are so good,” Nirchi said. “My choreographer is just phenomenal. She’s very good with young people and teaching them.”

“Pippin” features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, who was nominated for a Tony for best original score, and book by Roger O. Hirson, who was nominated for a Tony for best book of a musical.

Schwartz also co-wrote the musicals “Godspell,” which won a Grammy Award for best score from an original cast show album, and “Wicked,” which won a best musical theater album Grammy. Meanwhile, Hirson also co-wrote “Walking Happy,” which was nominated for several Tonys, including best musical.

“It’s one of the shows I’ve had the most fun with in a lot of years,” Nirchi said about “Pippin.”

“I just enjoy it immensely and I think this is one of the perfect shows for me because, knock on wood, it’s going great.”

Oak Lawn Park District Theatre’s 2017-18 season continues with the musicals “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 10-19, “Legally Blonde” Feb. 9-18 and “Mary Poppins” March 16-25.

“I started the program so it’s something that I and my wife, Josie, love to do. It was a camaraderie between myself and Dave Heilmann, who is also one of the producers there,” said Nirchi, who also started the Teen Program, which Heilmann’s wife, Erica, now runs.

“In high school, unless you’re a senior you don’t really get leads so it opened up doors. This helps keep kids from standing on street corners. It gives them something to do and something creative. They also learn public speaking from that and I feel that it gives them strength in their life.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter.