The Wild Party: Lippa vs LaChiusa

[esparza 333]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 7:52pm

I have no experience with either version. I have read about how Lippa's version had a smaller cast and the score is not as dependent on the plot while LaChiusa's can't really be taken out of context. I also read about numerous differences in the book. I was wondering which version people preferred.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 7:55pm

LaChiusa's version is on another level. If you like a pop/rock belty score, check out Lippa's version.

[otis33]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 7:57pm

LaChiusa's version was one of the most exciting things I have ever seen on Broadway. I know critics and audiences would disagree - but I loved it.

[pli1018]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 8:06pm

I've only seen press reels of each but I know each cast recording pretty well. I think both versions have songs that can be taken out of context and also songs that can't.

As for which one is better? They're very different because LaChiusa's uses generally one genre of music while Lippa's score is all over the place. Both casts are phenomenal. I love both recordings pretty equally. However, it took me longer to enjoy the LaChiusa version, but once I got there, it was very very good.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 8:59pm

I have always preferred LaChiusa's version. The music fits the tone of the piece stylistically and sounds far more authentic to a story taking place in the 20's. Toni Collette is a fantastic Queenie, and Eartha Kitt's performance alone was worth the price of admission.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 9:04pm

I LOVE LaChiusa's Wild Party.
You can't beat it's cast with a stick. They are fabulous.

I would have thought most people here would prefer Lippa's...

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 9:27pm

This is even a debate?

Since when were there fans of LaChiusa's??? I guess I missed that.

I absolutely loved Lippa's. The music is SO MUCH STRONGER than LaChiusa's. The direction, focus, book, strucutre, and everything else? Not so much...

while LaChiusa's cast had some big names, I was very dissapointed with the overall delivery.

Lippa's cast blew the audience OUT OF THE WATER!! D'Arcy James, Menzel, Murney, Diggs... c'mon. And an extremely talented ensemble.

[commasplice]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 9:34pm

The dead horse called. He left you a message: "Stop beating me!!"
Updated On: 8/29/08 at 09:34 PM

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:04pm

While this has been discussed several times at length, I cannot help but respond... LaChiusa wins hands down. That show should have won several TONY awards, it was brilliant. While neither production was 100% faithful to Joseph Moncure March's poem, LaChuisa's version resonates along the lines of the piece so much better than Lippa's.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:09pm

If you enjoy screaming and belting, definitely go for Lippa's version.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:11pm

I'd say LaChiusa, it only for Toni Collete, who gives a stunning performance on the CD.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:16pm

I made a point of reading the book, brushing up on items dealing with both approaches. Both casts were fine (except Eartha didn't have enough to do, but that's another story), but ---

I hated both.

Updated On: 8/29/08 at 10:16 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:19pm

Ugh, not again. There are about a million threads on this. They're two totally separate entities. Just because they're based on the same thing doesn't mean we have to compare them and choose which one is "better."

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 11:57pm

I'd have to vote for LaChiusa's version.

Possibly unfairly, because I've never listened to all of Lippa's. I have it on cassette and just have never bothered/wanted to flip the cassette over to listen to the rest of it. Though, I love Alix Korey's "Old Fashioned Love Story"!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 12:46am

ohhhh wow a Wild party thread. Has it been 2 months already? Hmmm well LaChiusa gets my vote for the one preferred, that is not to say that Lippa's isn't lovely and worthwhile and extremely fun. I'd rather DO LaChiusa's. I might like Lippa's a little more if Taye and Idina weren't in it. I prefer Taye on TV and I prefer Idina singing in a LaChiusa piece...or lower...or not.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 1:06am

Lippa's WILD PARTY isn't bad, "Maybe I Like It This Way" is as good as anything in LaChiusa's version. And LaChiusa's isn't all perfect either. I feel Lippa's take is much more focused.
However, I do prefer the Broadway version. George C Wolfe is a brilliant director/writer, LaChiusa does a good job in adapting the poem, and well, the cast in the OBCR is pretty brilliant. Toni Collette gives a pitch-perfect performance on the cast recording (it'd be fun to see her tackle Lippa's version and see what Murney does with LaChiusa's), underrated Tonya Pinkins is remarkable as Kate, and Mandy Patinkin's annoying self-indulgent scenery chewing performance style actually works wonders for Burrs. "People Like Us" is one of my all-time favorite showtunes.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 1:45am

Lippa's. No contest.

Lachiusa's has two major flaws: no score and Mandy Patinkin.

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 2:02am

Lippa.

The score is so much more alive and vibrant.
The vocals are ridiculously amazing.

[evadiva]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 2:14am

apples and oranges

But I'd die to play Queenie in either. I'd love to do a cabaret of her songs from both.

[Holbee]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 2:31am

Well, its sorta hard. Lippa's music is wonderful. His lyrics: amateurish. Embarrassingly so. La Chuisa's music, though at times pleasant is old LaChuisa tiresomeness...though much more intelligent lyrics. You can't compare the original stagings, George C Wolf's direction of LaChuisa's was amazing. The cast was older in LaChuisa's and much more seasoned. As talented as Idina is, she was still forming as an actress then, and without a great director she came off....well....badly. Even Taye was weak.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 11:37am

I won't go into my patronizing diatribe about how to choose which one you would like better, but it's available on about 10 previous threads on this subject.

For me, it's all about LaChiusa.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 12:38pm

LaChiusa. I think Lippa's version is kind of cheesy. LaChiusa's is wonderfully imagined. I've done both and I'd definitely rather do LaChiusa's again.

~Steven

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 12:40pm

I, too, have nothing new to contribute to the debate. But I really would love to hear Murney sing the LaChiusa score and Collette singing the Lippa score; that was an inspired suggestion, whoever threw that out there. Actually thinking about it, I'd love to hear Murney sing LaChiusa more than Collette sing Lippa; there's so much meat in Queenie's numbers in LaChiusa, it'd be great to hear Murney- who can act the hell out of a song- tackle that. I feel that Collette was so great on the recording that I don't...I don't know. Not to say it would be a downgrade, but thinking about it, the songs don't carry the same weight. But she'd still be fierce. Never mind. Yes, a switch.

[MJLC]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 7:53pm

And you'll get to hear my beloved Julia sing "Low-Down Down" at Joe's Pub this coming Sept. 8th---she did it at "The Girly Show" a few years back at Lincoln Center and brought the house down. Truly, the woman is remarkable and deserves an entire show (or two) written just for her!

MJLC

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 1:01am

I'm not familiar with LaChiusa's version so I don't have an opinion on it, but I've fallen madly in love with Lippa's version within the past few weeks. I'm completely addicted to it and I can't go a day without listening to it. Some of the songs aren't that great, but I love the overall tone and feel of the show.