Taken from a brilliant review at amazon.com. Please read, it is hysterical.
As you may be aware, there are two musical versions of WILD PARTY: this one, written by Andrew Lippa, which premiered off-Broadway, and another version written by Michael John LaChiusa which premiered on Broadway.
Much debate rages in theatre circles about which version is better. In the interest of helping you, the consumer, make an informed decision about which one would better suit you, I have a simple multiple choice quiz you can take. Answer honestly, then scroll to the bottom to tabulate your results (NO PEEKING!).
1.) I think musical theatre is primarily _______.
A) entertainment
B) art
2.) I think RENT and WICKED are bright, shining pinnacles of musical theatre.
A) True
B) False
3.) In a musical, my biggest requirement for songs is:
A) that they be pretty, hummable and toe-tapping.
B) that they be vital to plot and character development.
4.) I think a musical's score should accurately reflect the time period in which it is set.
A) False
B) True
5.) Speaking broadly, I think Stephen Sondheim is _______ while Jonathan Larson is ______.
A) overrated / genius
B) genius / overrated
6.) In a musical, I think the score should:
A) wash over the audience and be easily digestable.
B) require its audience to listen carefully.
Pencils down!
If you scored three or more A's, you will be happier with the Lippa version of this show, as it is a typical book musical in the modernist vein, with an emphasis on musical numbers that function like set-pieces rather than plot points.
If you scored three or more B's, you will be happier with the LaChiusa version of the show, as its score is more stylistically appropriate for the time period. It also develops its characters through music rather than through the script, with an ironic post-modern approach to the subject matter that doesn't attempt to dispell the moral ambiguity of its characters.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
