The Wild Party: confusion!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:24pm

Ok so there is lots of talk about The Wild Party. But I think I keep hearing about different versions or something. Are there different versions? I know that there is Lippa's The Wild Party. Is the other one a completely different show that just happens to have the same name or is it the same show? Please Help!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:27pm

They are both based on the same play by Joseph Monecure March.

LIPPA: Off-Broadway (MTC) Julia Murney as Queenie, Brian D'Arcy James as Burrs, Idina Menzel as Kate, Taye Diggs as Black

MICHAEL JOHN LACHIUSA: Broadway (Virginia Theatre) Toni Collette as Queenie, Mandy Patinkin as Burrs, Eartha Kitt as Dolores, Tonya Pinkins as Kate, Yancey Arias as Black.

LaChiusa's version is better.

[shira467]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:29pm

I personally prefer the Lippa version - but to each her/his own!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:30pm

I believe that LaChiusa's is best but obviously not everyone will agree. in fact the board is pretty much split on this dead horse...

[Jwei123]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:42pm

I LOVE Lippa's!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:49pm

I saw both and each was mostly terrific in its own way, but also had a few serious flaws that prevented it from being entirely successful. Each had a first rate score (though TOTALLY different from one another) and an outstanding cast, but had problems structurally/book-wise.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:53pm

"People Like Us" from LaChiusa's version is probably one of my favorite songs ever.

I also like "Maybe I Like It That Way" from Lippa's version.

And yes, both had serious book problems, esp. Lippa's, in my opinion.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:58pm

I saw La Chuisa's and yes, absolutely Margo!

The thing that struck me was that even with that incredible powerhouse cast, when Eartha Kitt came on stage you could feel the electricity. It showed me irrefutably, why some people are stars. She made the night for me.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:03pm

Kitt was absolutely incredible. Her performances of "Downtown" and "When It Ends" were the very definition of "star quality."

[mominator]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:06pm

Personally I liked La Chiusa's version more.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:21pm

Eartha Kitt is one of those living legends that the theatrical community should thank the theatre gods every night on their lucky stars to have. Sher is absolutely fantastic and the fact that the character in The Wild Party was so parallel to her only made it all the more intense.

"You'd better pray to Jesus! Or Mohammad! Or Whatever!"

I think Ben Brantley said it best when he said "If ''Wild Party I (Lippa)'' seemed to be a party with no personalities, ''Wild Party II (La Chiusa)'' feels like a parade of personalities in search of a missing party."

Lippas Wild Party is excellent if you prefer the more pop/electric guitar sound, they have very powerful numbers but I personally adore La Chiusas score.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:28pm

I prefer LaChiusa's as well - I just think the writing and music is far superior to Lippa's, although Lippa's does have some good moments. I found the great pictures in Lippa's CD booklet far more intriguing than the actual show, and that's a problem. Lippa's music isn't even in the style or the time period AT ALL, and that's also a problem for me. Also, no one can beat Toni Collette as Queenie - no one. I feel like a lot of people on here (not everyone) prefer Lippa's because they don't know LaChiusa's. Why? Because Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs aren't in LaChiusa's.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:36pm

I'm the opposite; I got LaChiusa's for Patinkin, Colette, and Kitt (as well as others). I love the score, because I'm a fan of music that fits the time period/mood. I have not heard Lippa's yet, but I almost don't want to -- this version is great. Can't say I'm a fan of the fellow who plays Black, but the rest of the cast is brilliant. And, as stated before, Eartha Kitt is a legend who shines brighter than them all.

"Look at these beautiful legs. These legs were built to drive men mad...

...Would you like to dance?"

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:39pm

I was kind of saying that the reason Lippa's seems so popular on here is a result of the Idina/WICKED fever, and that's the reason why some people might have got Lippa's to begin with. Young girls and stuff...

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:41pm

I don't think that is the case. Either way I think Idina Menzel did a fantastic job on this CD and I much preferred her here than to the role of Elphaba. As for Taye Diggs, the man is not famous he does not sell CD's. The real standout for me was Brian D'Arcy James whose rendition of "Let Me Drown" was positively outstanding!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:44pm

I still don't think you're understanding me. I'm talking about it's popularity ON THIS BOARD. A 14 year old girl goes to see WICKED, becomes obsessed with Idina, and buys all of her CD's. That's what I mean.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:47pm

Well at least she gets to hear Brian D'Arcy James! (Not to mention Felicia Finley in the ensemble!)

[zoran912]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:48pm

Brian D'Arcy James is a GOD!

I am only familiar with Lippa's, so I can't pass judgement on LaChuisa's. I do love Lippa's version, but LaChuisa's could be just as amazing.

As for Idina, I was a fan from Rent. I didn't like her much in Wicked.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:52pm

Get La Chiusa's, the music is 400% more brilliant, and nothing beats Toni Collette.

[Jwaa]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:54pm

The Wild Party :Lippa's version
was my favourite musical score, and the recording wa smy favourite before i had heard of Wicked. I shouldnt have to explain why i love this CD, who cares if Idina's Wicked peformance helped the sales of The Wild Party, in all reality that is a great way to introduce people to lesser known musicals, I think The Wild Party needs to be heard by all!

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:55pm

And credit has to be given to Marc Kudisch and his rendition of "Breezin Through Another Day" and Brooke Sunny Moriber (of Parade) for her performance of "Lights of Broadway"

[Songs4aNewWorld]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:58pm

I have Lippa's version, but I really want to get La Chiusa so I can compare them, since neither of them are running right now. I really liked Lippa's version, though.

Everyone is talking about the music, but is the plot any different between the two versions?

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:59pm

I believe emphasis is placed on different characters in the two versions. The basic plotline is the same.

I think Lights of Broadway would be a great audition song: short and shows off great range (personality-wise as well as vocally).

[zoran912]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 6:09pm

Dolores is barely mentioned in the Lippa version.

[insomniak]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 6:34pm

I'm certainly not qualified to comment on LaChiusa's version, but I have to pop in with a little love for Julia Murney. She's fantastic. Brian D'Arcy James' 'Let Me Drown' is the true standout of the score, in my opinion, though I like most of the others.