Which Version of 'The Wild Party' Do You Prefer? — Page 2

haha, again, for me, it absolutely IS the idiggs complex (I must say, I like "idiggs" better than "tidina"! but I generally do just say "taye/idina" lol)

and... admiteddly, I DONT know the LaChuisa version very well, but, from what I HAVE heard, I still do like the lippa music better. However, I ADORE swiws... so, if the lachuisa version is as well written and well crafted as swiws... I may just have to look more into it :)

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Munk - that "test" might be the funniest thing ever...and should be added to the FAQ to prevent this question again.

When a show begins and ends with the same tone, yet there is supposed to be a definite dramatic tone, something is wrong. Very wrong.

LaChiusa's has a very definite arc throughout the party.

LaChiusa, by a long shot.

I love the depth of the characters, the grittiness, and the music -- not necessarily because it is "truer to the era," but because it's perfectly written, a lovely reflection of the story itself, and so difficult not to enjoy.

While I enjoy Lippa's for the fun of the show, LaChiusa's tends to be my favourite for the 'theatricality' of it.

Ourtime - I find your answer about how people would come across Lippa's version condescending as hell. I buy just about every cast album that comes out, so, naturally, I purchased both recordings as I would any other show. I had not, and still have not, seen either.

On first listen, without a doubt I would say Lippa's was the more appealing to me. Yes, it's easily accessible, yes the songs are hummable ("what's wrong with letting them tap their toes a bit?"), yes the performances are more pop - but it's a VERY entertaining recording.

LaChiusa's DID strike me as being a bit on the artsy side the first time. A couple of songs jumped out at me as ones I liked right away (especially Norm Lewis and Eartha Kitt's songs), but the whole thing took time to grow on me.

I'd say at this point I'm about even and couldn't really say which I prefer. It depends on the mood I'm in. Does LaChiusa's take more work? Absolutely. Does that instantly make Lippa's pop-trash? That's ridiculous.

I think it's pretty pretentious to reduce people who like Lippa's version to all being teeny-bopper trend followers. Get off your high horse already.

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I don't get what people mean by hummable.

I always hum LaChiusa's.

I'm usually out of breath and dead tired by the end, but hummed the score has been nonetheless.

I can't really go into why/how much I love the LaChiusa, you might have to compile my reasons from about the 5 other threads I've posted my opinions on about this same topic.

I just find it everything that a compelling musical should be. A show like this is not around often and I consider it the first masterpiece of the new millenium.

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Well, I apologize if my answer was offensive to anyone. I can understand if you felt it was condescending, because I've followed threads like this in the past and found that a good number of people rave about Lippa based on the scenario I described above. And if you look at this thread, several people have stated that their means of introduction to the work had everything to do with it featuring Idina Menzel - so you can't really say that my scenario is far-fetched. Nor is it necessarily wrong. I'm just saying that if you are likely to respond to a show based on it featuring cast members from Wicked and Rent, Lippa's version may be for you.

I also went to pains to say that such a scenario is only one avenue by which people might come across the work. So if you flet inappropriately grouped in with teeny-bopper groupies, I do apologize.

Like you, jasonf, I bought the OCR of Lippa's Wild Party because I try to get my hands on just about everything that comes out. Because it featured Julia Murney and because Lippa's work on YAGMCB seemed promising, I hoped to really like it. But in the years since its release I've scarcely listened to it, and it rarely stays in my player after the title track is over.

And the reasons for that have everything to do with the factors described elsewhere in this thread, namely Toni Collette's amazing performance and the dramatic arc and period feel of LaChiusa's score. I don't look down on those who honestly prefer Lippa's work, but I will admit to thumbing my nose a bit at those who rush to it because it is Wicked's second cousin once-removed.

LaChiusa. Some of Lippa's melodies are just weird. especially those with 1920's electric guitar riffs.

"and the songs were almost identical."

Which...discredits your opinion...