Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Which "The Wild Party" is Better?

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#1

Which "The Wild Party" is Better?

I was wondering which production was better (lippa or La Chiusa)? I'm looking into the show for a project, and I just wanted to know.

"If we don't live happily ever after at least we survive until the end of the week!" -Kermit the frog "I need the money... it costs a lot to look this cheap!" -Dolly P. "Oh please, Over at 'Gypsy' Patti LuPone hasn't even alienated her first daughter yet!" Mary Testa in "Xanadu" "...Like a drunk Chita Rivera!" Robin de Jesus in "In the Heights"

"B*tch, I don't know your life." -Xanadu After that if he still doesn't understand why you were uncomfortable and are now infuriated, kick him again but this time with Jazz Hands!!! -KillerTofu
#2

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I prefer Lippa. I just like the score and the overall feel of the piece better.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#3

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

You've got to be kidding.

Why not start a "What show is better - Wicked or Rent?" thread.
#4

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

Although there are numerous posts on this subject, it's really a matter of tastes. I prefer the Lippa version. I like the cast better and I am just able to enjoy the score more than LaChiusa's. I admire LaChiusa's work but it just never interested me enough. I can't get through the cast recording, and I've tried twice. I do love Norm Lewis, Marc Kudisch, and Leah Hocking on it though. I find however, most posters on this board do not agree with me on this matter.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#6

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I don't think you can actually call one "better" than the other. They're both good in their own ways. I listen to Lippa's more -- but I enjoy both.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#7

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

LaChiusa's piece is much more finely crafted and layered than Lippa's rather lazy but infectious pop score.

But really, this topic is almost popping up as much as Rent and Wicked threads.
#8

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

Lippa's - More intense in my opinion. But like Little_sally said. Most posters on this site probably disagree.
#9

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

Oh gosh, not again. Oh well, I'll help with some advice! LaChiusa's is so well-crafted, the cast is spectacularly talented, and in my opinion one of the best period pieces ever. I literally listen and picture vaudeville, seedy apartments, the clothing, the everything! I can listen to this anytime, I adore it
#10

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?


The movie with Raquel Welch, Perry King, and Jimmy Coco, who gives an absolutely wonderful performance. Though the movie's not a musical, the background songs are, hands down, better than anything in either of the pieces of dreck by Lippa and LaChiusa.

Daisy Buchanan
Long Island, New York
#11

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?


The movie with Raquel Welch, Perry King, and Jimmy Coco, who gives an absolutely wonderful performance. Though the movie's not a musical, the background songs are, hands down, better than anything in either pieces of dreck by Lippa and LaChiusa.

Daisy Buchanan
Long Island, New York
#12

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

Umm then in that case, why don't you just refer the poster to the original source poem by Joseph Moncure March, which obviously should be the best, rather than insulting both shows which although you don't like does not make them dreck.
#13

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

LaChiusa's is better crafted and a more enjoyable listen for me. His music suits the material much better then Lippa's...
#14

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I saw both shows the same week. Overall I prefer Lippa's. But LaChiusa's was much darker and complex overall. Both casts were amazing. I feel like it really comes down to the music and I just feel that Lippa's music is more "listenable" for lack of a better word.
#15

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I do like a few songs in Lachiusa's version quite a bit, but I've given both a fair listen and have to say that Lippa's is my personal favorite. Just my opinion, though.
#16

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

LaChiusa's warrants more listening whereas I get tired easily of Lippa's version.
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
#17

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I would hardly call Lippa's version lazy...

It's hard to say. I think it's astonishing that these two musicals are based on the same source material and came out within, what, four months of each other and are two COMPLETELY different and exciting interpretations. Each is beautiful in it's own right, and it's (as mentioned above) a matter of taste, and what about a musical really attracts and interests the viewer/listener.

I did not have the priviledge to see either live. Personally, I am more prone to listening to the Lippa version. People argue that LaChiusa's is more intricate and true to the period. Fine. But LaChiusa's IMO does not capture the reckless abandon and ruthless nature that I personally found to be vital to March's poem. Alas, perhaps seeing the two shows would change my opinion. I'll never know. But I would be interested in how many posters are giving fledgling opinions having just heard the respective cast recordings.
"Art is always in crisis: you must work fast to write in the breath on the window." -Edward Bond
#18

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

i enjoy both versions, but if i had to pick one over the other it would probably be lippa's. i just enjoy his score a bit more than lachiusa's.
#19

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I personally prefer LaChiusa's work. The staging of the original production was haunting as well.

I don't have a thing against Lippa's work, but it never did much for me.
#20

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

I'm more familiar with Lippa's version, with that being siad it is one of my favorite recordings. It is a great up-beat score, and the cast is just flawless.
"If I have something to say, the whole world (BroadwayWorld) should hear it." - Thenardier
#21

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

"...why don't you just refer the poster to the original source poem by Joseph Moncure March, which obviously should be the best, rather than insulting both shows which although you don't like does not make them dreck."

Of course it doesn't. They're dreck in and of themselves.

Daisy Buchanan
Long Island, New York
#22

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

two totally different shows, although based on the same material.

Lippa's is Lippa-fied and bright and bouncy, incongruous with the original work.

LaChuisa's is smart and edgy and requires thought, true to the age from which the story emerged.
Don't f*ck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.
#23

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

Oh EnchantedHunter, what show do you like should be the question.

And c&a who on earth is in your avatar?!
#24

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

Maybe it is better to say that Lippa's version looks lazy next to LaChiusa's. Everytime I try to like Lippa's I find myself turning it off, and putting on the better version. I think Lippa's Wild Party is great for those raised on Rent, Idina, and the like. Shows with anyone who was in Rent seem to find favor. For me, LaChiusa's is too rich to accept anything less.
#25

re: Which 'The Wild Party' is Better?

La Chiusa, no doubt. I didn't really discover Lippa's until much later, but I couldn't never get into it or even really enjoy it.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $89
Hot Show
Tickets From $123
Hot Show
Tickets From $72
Hot Show
Tickets From $65