Why is there an Electric Guitar in Lippa's WIld Party? — Page 3

Thez, I dunno about hypocritical or not. I personally don't like lez Miz or Evita. But not all of your comments make sense. Actually MOST musical scores are just 1 style. I could name dozens, hundreds. Since we're talking about The Wild Party, LaChiusa's actually is one complete style as is Sweeney Todd or Hedwig, or Rent. Now if you're bored by any of those, then I'm afraid you have no pulse.

Secondly I don't think there is Lippa bashing. I actually like his score. I think the blame is tilted toward Michael Gibson the orchestrator.

Thirdly a musical doesn't HAVE to comment on the time period. A LOT don't. As a matter of fact, many shows wouldn't run if that were the case. Look at one of the most brilliant shows ever written Sunday in the Park with George. I personally do see where the late 19th century impressionistic musical influence is. Sondheim wrote in a contemporary style about a time period. I think what people are quibbling about is consistancy. It'd be weird to hear an electric guitar in the middle of Sunday. But if someone wrote an entire rock opera in that time period it'd be different.

thez - I think you are misunderstanding my point.

First, "I don't think I could listen to late-1800's French music for 3 hours."

I said that as a joke.

My point is that, Les Mis through its entirety remains in the same style.

Lippa's TWP is contemporary at some points, and then jazzy, roaring '20's at other points.

This MAY work - however it doesn't for this specific piece.

TWP is about a certain time period as a cultural event (and the way it produced these certain characters). Les Mis is about a certain time period as historical story. Its themes are more universal.

In order for TWP to work, it needs to recreate the time period. Les Mis doesn't...for the reason that it is a universal, epic show.

It's also about style. Evita was written to be a rock show.

It's obvious TWP was written to be a time-piece from the '20's with contemporary nuances. Unfortunately, this plan wasn't executed well enough to be believable.

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"an original and fresh approach to a dated story"

First off, you can't call TWP a dated story as it has not been around for a long time (ie: in the public's eye). Most people didn't know what it was until Spiegelman found the poem, illustrated it, and had it released...I know LaChiusa used that version to write his musical, and I bet Lippa did as well.

Second, there is nothing original or fresh about Lippa's score. Considering it opened first, LaChiusa had the fresh take on the story (even though they were written at the same time).

Third, LaChiusa used the many different styles of the time PLUS his own nuances...contemporarily in HIS style. He was able to work it out that the piece was both vaudeville, jazz, and contemporary.

Can you spot the places where it is so 2000 contemporary? Not really, because LaChiusa blended it beautifully.

Lippa did not blend the two styles as well, and one stuck out like a sore thumb.


P.S. I do happen to enjoy Lippa's as a piece of musical theatre. But having read the poem (after listening to both shows) I have to argue LaChiusa's is much better suited to be called "THE WILD PARTY"

Updated On: 1/20/06 at 01:26 PM

It took them 80 years to make the musical.

We have time.