#1
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]
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
