Lippa's Wild Party

[carlobarlo]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 4:09am

I was just wondering if there was some place I could find a synopsis of this show... I'm thinking about auditioning for it and besides hearing a couple of songs I really have no idea what the shows about! Thanks Bunches

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 4:22am

Basic review/synopsis:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=738

There's a more in-depth one in the CD booklet.

Updated On: 4/29/05 at 04:22 AM

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 5:34am

Here you go - from MTI.

ACT I
It’s the roaring 1920’s and the beautiful, young Queenie, although she tries, cannot find a lover able to satisfy her desires – until she meets Burrs, a vaudevillian clown with a voracious appetite for women. Both Queen and Burrs have now met their emotional and sexual match and for a while they live together, happily sated. Eventually, the relationship sours. Burrs violent nature, which once thrilled Queenie, now scares her. Still, she longs to generate the same excitement that brought them together. A party, she thinks, will do it! Burrs agrees.

The party begins with a parade of guests: Madeline the lesbian, Eddie the thug, Mae the dimwit, Jackie the dancer, lover-brothers d’Armondo, Dolores the hooker, and Nadine the minor. Although Queenie radiates beauty and confidence, Burrs preys on other women. He makes his move on their youngest guest, Nadine. Despite her casual reprimand of his behavior, Queenie wants to hurt Burrs in return.

The vivacious Kate arrives with her new friend, Mr. Black. Queenie, quite taken by Black, plans to make her move on him. Kate drags him away to meet the other guests. Queenie’s plans are momentarily undermined. The party’s revelry continues: Burrs hits on Kate; Madeline hits on Nadine, Eddie chugs beer and almost fights with Burrs. During the chaos, Black finds himself equally as taken by Queenie as she with him - much to the chagrin of Kate. As revenge, Kate plans on seducing Burrs. Meanwhile, Madeline is on the prowl for a woman.

Although Queenie is fully aware that Burrs will threaten her physically, she makes her move on Mr. Black, easily getting him to dance with her. Burrs watches them, his ire rising. Unsuccessfully, Kate tries to get Burrs to dance – then in order to diffuse the situation, Kate takes Queenie out of Mr. Black’s arms and dances with her instead.

Burrs violent reaction against Mr. Black and Queenie is prohibited by the whole company dancing the Juggernaut. At its end, Mr. Black and Queenie are together again. To get the reaction he wants from Queenie, Burrs grabs Nadine, the minor, and makes out with her. This enrages Kate who throws Nadine to the ground by her hair. Madeline rushes to aid Nadine. Burrs cuts into Mr. Black and Queenie’s dancing. Managing to have her to himself, Burrs tells Queenie to stay away from Mr. Black. Laughing at him, Queenie says she will do whatever she chooses. He twists her arm hard. They are interrupted by Oscar and Phil’s piano duet. Burrs releases Queenie, seeing that too many people are watching them.

Burrs and Queenie join Oscar and Phil’s epic musical number based on the story of Adams and Eve – Burrs plays Adam and Queenie, Eve. Their number is interrupted by a discontented neighbor.

Meanwhile Eddie and Mae cuddle, celebrating their togetherness. In contrast, Burrs and Queenie end up alone and apart from the rest of the party.

Shortly, Mr. Black approaches Queenie and pointedly asks why she stays with an abusive brute like Burrs. She replies, simply, that maybe she likes her life with Burrs. Mr. Black kisses her. Kate tries to kiss Burrs, but he refuses her.

ACT II
The party rages on. Kate is alone and reflecting on her youthful indulgence. Queenie’s alone in the bathroom trying to take stock. Although she’s angry that she confided in Mr. Black, a virtual stranger, she recognizes his goodness. This both stirs and confuses her feelings. Mr. Black enters the bathroom to convey his support and deep admiration when Burrs bursts in, wanting her sole attention.

Black refuses to leave. Burrs apologizes to Queenie in front of them both and begs her forgiveness. Kate arrives before Queenie can reply. Kate unsuccessfully tries to draw Burrs back onto the dance floor. Both men pull for her affections and devotion; Mr. Black asks Queenie to leave the apartment with him. Burrs asks her to stop the party and let them return to their previous isolation. Queenie is unable to reply to either man. Then Burrs threatens her physically and she leaves with Mr. Black.

Burrs wants to drown himself in gin and misery. He hallucinates that he hears Queenie’s voice all around him. He attacks Mae thinking she is Queenie, angering Eddie. A fight ensues. Mr. Black and Queenie return; Queenie is afraid Eddie will kill Burrs if the fight is not stopped. Black rushes in and knocks Eddie unconscious. Mae rushes to Eddie and Kate rushes to the bruised and battered Burrs. Burrs falls asleep in a drug-induced stupor before Kate can kiss him.

Out of kindness and consideration, Mr. Black offers to Queenie that he leaves. But Queenie can’t let him go. They end up in the bedroom making love with the caring that she and Burrs never shared. The other partiers follow suit in the living room.

By five AM the next morning the majority of revelers lie asleep in the living room. Kate wakes Burrs who lies besides her. Queenie is strikingly absent. Burrs finds her in the bedroom with Mr. Black. Burrs locates a gun. Full of rage Burrs vacillates between trying to force Queenie to make a choice between the two men, threatening kill Black, and threatening to kill himself. Mr. Black takes the chance during Burrs’ rampage to lunge at Burrs. The gun goes off. Burrs is shot dead. Fearing that Mr. Black will be executed for Burrs’ death, Queenie urges Mr. Black to flee. Before leaving Mr. Black professes his love her. Queenie, now having lost both men, questions how things managed to reach that point of loss. She exits the apartment - with her coat - all eyes upon her sad, beautiful grace.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:39pm

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 01:39 PM

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 1:52pm

Thanks for posting the synopsises. I've been considering buying the cast recording but I didn't really much about it besides the cast and the vaguer details but it sounds like it would be money well spent.

[Pinky]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 6:48pm

Yeah, I like the Lippa cast album...it's def. worth the money!!!