The current revival of the musical “Pippin” playing at Theatre Orb in Shibuya’s Hikarie building is, quite literally, breathtaking. A show within a show, “Pippin” smashes the fourth wall with a performing troupe of circus acrobats and dancers led by a Leading Player who invites the audience to join them as they tell the tale of Pippin, a young prince who sets out to find some purpose to his life.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell” and “Wicked”), the original Broadway production in 1972 was directed and choreographed by Hollywood and Broadway legend Bob Fosse. This revival remains true to the original with director Diane Paulus and choreographer Chet Walker channelling Fosse’s dark humor and trademark dance moves, including the famous “Manson Trio” routine.

In fact, one of the fascinating things about this production of “Pippin,” and a rare treat for local audiences, is the physical connection it has with the original 1970s production. With John Rubinstein, who was the original Pippin in 1972, returning here as Pippin’s father Charles, and Priscilla Lopez — who is best known as Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line” and played Pippin’s stepmother Fastrada in the ’70s — triumphing all these years later as Pippin’s grandmother Berthe. Choreographer Walker, too, was a dancer in the original Pippin and a protege of Fosse.