The Wild Party: Battle of the "L's"

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:28pm

The Wild Party: Battle of the “L’s”

Today I just received LaChiusa’s The Wild Party on CD (saved 10 bucks on it from amazon.com!). I also have the Wild Party by Lippa.

I have not read March’s The Wild Party in full yet, so this review is just based on the CDs and the music.

Which one is better is always the question asked of these two recordings. Now, on one we have Toni Collette, Mark Kudisch, Many Patinkin, Tonya Pinkins, and the always amzing Eartha Kitt. That’s LaChiusa’s. Lippa’s has more “modern” stars like Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs (as if I needed their last names), as well as Brian D’Arcy James, Alex Corey, and Julia Murney.

As far as which CD has a better cast? I would say – neither (or both). Both casts are great. The biggest difference you will find between the CDs is that Lippa’s is belted – almost always belted. And, for that matter, belted well. LaChiusa’s is more jazz-age meets Broadway (which is what it should be).

In the overall scheme of things, I feel LaChiusa’s is much better in describing the story. The music flows very nicely and it feels like an overall summary of the party. By the end, you can feel the party crumbling to hell and no one able to save it. Lippa’s, however, has better solos – as far as lyrics and melodies go. It is much more fun to listen to Madelaine True’s “Old-Fashioned Love Story” (Lippa’s, Alex Corey) than her “Like Sally” (LaChiusa’s, Jane Summerhayes). This has nothing to do with Summerhayes, but with the music itself. Also, Kate’s solos in Lippa’s version (Idina Menzel) are much more fun than LaChiusa’s version (Tonya Pinkins).

However, Lippa’s version leaves out solos (and maybe characters – never saw the show) by Dolores (Eartha Kitt), the D’Armano brothers (Nathan Lee Graham and Michael McElroy), Gold and Goldberg (Adam Grupper and Stuart Zagnt), and Jackie (Marc Kudisch). Eddie and Mae’s duet in Lippa’s is just as good (maybe a little funnier) as their solo in LaChiusa’s.

In all, I recommend you buy LaChiusa’s first if you want to understand “The Wild Party” and all of its inhabitants, as well as for a beautiful, jazzy, musical that still has the Broadway feel.

For listening enjoyment, fun, catchy tunes, and mind blowing performances, I recommend Lippa’s version. The songs never seem to be too depressing, as LaChiusa’s are (in a good way, that is).

If you listen to me, however, I say buy both. You won’t be sorry.

I also recommend that you buy the beautifully illustrated “The Wild Party” by Joseph Moncure March (illustrated by Art Spiegelman).

Some favorite songs on each CD:

LaChiusa
Queenie was a Blonde
Marie is Tricky
Uptown
Gold & Goldberg
Best Friend
Gin/Wild
People Like Us
The Movin’ Uptown Blues
When It Ends

Lippa
Queen Was a Blonde
Raise the Roof
Look at Me Now
An Old-Fashioned Love Story
A Wild, Wild Party
Two of a Kind
The Life of the Party
Let Me Drown
Come With Me

*Note: It was easier to pick favorites from Lippa’s version because, as I said, each individual song was fun and exciting. In the overall scheme of things, however, LaChiusa’s better captured the mood of what March described as “The Wild Party.”

[This review can also be found in my blog]

Updated On: 4/1/05 at 04:28 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:30pm

What about "People Like Us?"

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:32pm

I like Lippa's version.

I LOVE LaChiusa's version.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:33pm

munk -

That's a good song as well.

It's one I left off...

I didm't realize that

Updated On: 4/1/05 at 04:33 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:33pm

And, yeah; "People Like Us" is the best song from THE WILD PARTY.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:37pm

Thanks for that! Now anyone who wants to know which one is better, will just have to read this and decide which feel they want.

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:47pm

Wow. Very nicely put Thenardier. I completely agree with you.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 6:19pm

Same here. That basically sums up my exact thoughts

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 6:50pm

Thanks all!

'Twas the point, ashley

And guess what's playing now...

[Demitri2]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 8:05pm

We just discussed this the other day. I think the general consensus was that although the music to Lippa's is more accessible to the average listener, there was much more substance to the brilliant LaChuisa score. Another major point is that LaChuisa's complex score is much more true to the period. He created a very dark, layered, somber, cacophonous sound that IMHO was much more true to the source material. One melody just flows into the next giving it a very poetic nonstop pace that build to crescendos that overwhelm the listener at every turn. Furthermore the music is extremely atmospheric which richly serves the libretto. Okay, I love this score and although I'm basically repeating the same thoughts I had previously on this subject it's just because this man's music for "Wild Party" and "Hello, Again" have brought me so much pleasure that I feel a need to share it with others.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:50pm

I'd like to add that while I listen to LaChiusa's version, I can actually picture the party happening. Lippa's version seems to be a very different party...but I can't see the party actually happening. I can't really see the big difference between the beginning of the party and the end...

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 12:25am

I like both but if I had to choose one over the other I would have to go with Lippa's. For one, it has a better cast (uniformely) and also if I wanted to go to a party I would rather go to Lippa's than LaChiusa. But, again both are great and should be owned.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 12:31am

True...although the outcome of both parties is the same...

But Many Patinkin is just AMAZING as Burrs

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 12:54am

Hmmm I don't know. Better cast? How can someone say that Brian D'Arcy James, Julia Murney, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel are better in their perspective roles than Mandy Patinkin, Toni Colette, Eartha Kitt, Marc Kudisch, and Tonya Pinkins. These people are miles ahead in my book. Eartha's a legend!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 1:09am

I think it is hard to compare the actors because the shows are so different. I don't think Mandy would do a good job as Burrs in Lippa's version - nor vice versa.

I think that compared to March's book, Mandy does a better job.

I think Julia and Toni are pretty well matched.

The only thing, and maybe it's because the roles seemed a lot differen (as far as the music goes), I think Idina is better than Tonya - not because I am more of an Idina fan. I think Tonya was amazing. I think her relationship with Queenie is demonstrated a lot more in LaChiusa's version. I think, however, Idina comes off more as a whore.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 10:09pm

Having listening to LaChiusa's over and over - I have so much more to add.

In a nutshell - his is way better.

Read this thread for my ideas that I have listed (and other ideas people have said):

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?page=2&thread=844660&startthread=924821

Updated On: 4/6/05 at 10:09 PM

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 10:11pm

we do not need a million threads on the same topics. la's is better. li's is funner. people like us is the best song from either. the end.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 10:13pm

This thread was first, but disappeared...I found it now though!

And how many Wicked posts do we need?

This show is much better!

Updated On: 4/3/05 at 10:13 PM

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 10:54pm

I don't think Idina acts much in the Lippa version. I don't think it's her fault. She's a whore, that's all Kate is. But in the LaChiusa Kate is so deeper. I saw Tonya to it and I can't imagine Idina coming close.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 10:56pm

Maybe.

Just the shows are so different, it's hard to compare.

I think Idina could handle it...but I dunno. Maybe it's me, but La's versions seems to have a more...umm..."soulful" Kate (meaning written for a black woman).

Although Idina, comes close to that...

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:07pm

Heh "soulful" Kate came from what Tonya brought to it. She's a black woman who sings jazz and her culture very much informs just who she is. I don't find Idina remotely "soulful" in that way. I don't think she could handle kate in LaChiusa's but Tonya would be a little odd in Lippa's too.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:09pm

Yeah, Jazzy, I agree.

I mean, Black is a Moocher - I feel like that song was written for a black person - if that makes sense without sounding racist.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:14pm

no not at all. Composers, once they have a show cast, write for who they have. I think Michael John knew Tonya was cast when he was writing.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:17pm

Good.

IT's one of those things where, for the most part, each cast is great in their respective shows.

If you compare casts, you have to do it to the book itself.

I think, with the exception of Jane Summerhayes (not that she is bad - she's good), LaChiusa's cast is better in relation to March's book than Lippa's cast.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/3/05 at 11:22pm

Well the interesting thing is that its a poem and everything isn't spelled out in th poem. You can tell by watching both of them where they drew from the original work. I just did a show with Jane Summerhays. I talked to her about Wild Party and Madeline in LaChiusa's version had at least a couple more songs that ended up getting cut because the show wasn't about her. Ya know Michael john does a great job of making the show truely ensemble like. Lippa doesn't do that as well. It may not have even been his purpose. But I do think that if madeline had another song it would tip the scales a little bit. I mean the focus SHOULD be the major 4.