Cut monologue from LaChiusa's Wild Party

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 11:33pm

So I found that book about musicals in the last couple of years that has the libretto of four shows, including The Wild Party. Finally, I think I understand everything now! Thank goodness the libretto is available in some capacity.

But I also found a brief monologue from Black that I could have sworn wasn't in the production I played, and then in the back of the book, I realized it wasn't, it was cut: "Black's monologue on page 440 was cut from the text during previews of the original production, but reinstated by the authors for this publication."

This occurs right before Black starts to remove Queenie's make-up, before Burrs busts in while Marie is Tricky reprised...after some dialogue they have after This is what it is:

Black: When I was little, the only thing around me that seemed clean was the sky, but you couldn't touch that. Everything else felt like a broken-down version of what used to be. And that woulda been okay if I didn't know there were people, worlds where everything in 'em looked like it had just been taken out of a box three seconds before they'd put it on. And so I started changing everything about myself, the way I talked, how I walked into a room, even how I felt, just so I could be a part of that world where everything felt clean and new. But once I got there I realized just 'cause something's expensive and new, don't mean it's clean. As a matter of fact I've been sort of regretting ever even looking in the first place. Until tonight. When I touch you, I feel like I'm touching parts of you, no one has ever touched before. And in doing so, it's making me feel for the first time ever, clean.

(Then he begins to remove the make-up from her face)

So, thoughts on it? Why you think it might have been cut? Do you think it was the right decision?

Just curious.

Updated On: 6/20/07 at 11:33 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 11:41pm

I think it bogged the show down where the show should have been coming to an end. It wasn't just the monologue cut, but some of the dialogue there as well.

The monologue does do a lot to further present the themes of the masks we wear. But that was pretty apparent from Black's songs.

[mallardo]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 1:51am

Agreed, it's too late in the show - the plot is rushing to its climax. On the other hand, Black is a character who needs something more. He arrives late and we never get a handle on him. Although he gets a couple of good songs he must be a frustrating guy to play. I have seen the show twice and in both cases the actor playing Black failed to make an impression.

[terrenceisbomb2]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 12:35am

Hey I just read your post and I have this really cool theme for the show I want to do but it will be years before I can do it cause I need some big resources. But anywho, in response to your post. I agree with just about everything everyone else said but I want to add that I think it's more powerful an ending if SHE removes her own mask...Not someone else. It's he choice to take the mask off and her tears and everything wash it away. The writing on that monologue is awesome. I think Black in the poem and in both musicals is kind of weak character or he is percieved to be goodie goodie (this is especially true of Lippa's) but I like the edge George gave him. I think key to really unlocking the poetential of that character is that he has got to be as caught off gaurd by Queenie as Queenie is by him. You also have to set up Kate right.
Updated On: 7/31/07 at 12:35 AM