The Wild Party - Playhouse on Park

Playhouse on Park is one of the few theaters in the state that has consistently presented challenging works for their audiences.  In the past few years, there has been Paula Vogel’s Indecent, the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical The Scottsboro Boys, and now their current production – The Wild Party.  In the program notes, Director (Co-Artistic Director of Playhouse) Sean Harris states that he, Choreographer Darlene Zoller (Co-Artistic Director of Playhouse), and Music Director Colin Britt, had to create this show together.  From an artistic standpoint, you can understand why.  This is a challenging work, and the three work in perfect harmony in bringing to life the story about a wild, decadent evening in the Roaring Twenties.

Mollie Downes and the cast of The Wild Party.  Photo by Meredith Longo.

For Harris, the musical required him to call upon all his skill and flair to fashion a powerful, passionate production.  For Zoller, she had the opportunity to flex her considerable choreographic playbook to present dynamic, exuberant dance numbers that are organically infused into the show.  For Britt, it was the chance to conduct a sizeable pit band for a score that is demanding and diverse in its styles and thematic temper. 

The Wild Party is based on Joseph Moncure March's 1928 narrative poem of the same name, and adapted for the stage by Andrew Lippa, who also wrote the score.   Set during Prohibition, it follows Queenie (a jaded vaudeville dancer) and Burrs (her abusive and unpredictable clown lover) who are in a toxic, passionate relationship. Desperate to shake up their mundane and destructive lives—and to make each other jealous—they decide to throw "the party to end all parties" at their Manhattan apartment, a sleazy, shabby setting created by Scenic Designer Kim Zhou.  Lighting Designer Matt Weisgable shades the production with an other worldly glow of colors, which punctuates the debasement and sinfulness on stage.

The cast of The Wild Party.  Photo by Meredith Longo.

An assortment of people living on the edge show up to the decadent, alcohol-fueled affair.  Among them are the mysterious, handsome stranger, Mr. Black, and her escort Kate, a high-end hooker.  Queenie begins to fall for Mr. Black, enraging Burrs, who’s jealous rage erupts into a violent end. 

Lippa’s book brings out the raw emotions woven throughout March’s original work, taking scenes of intimacy, vaudevillian schtick, and conjoining them with intense, sometimes brutal moments.  As author Chris Miller has observed, “its Fosse and Brecht, with some Shakespearean heft thrown in.” 

Andrew Lippa’s score is steeped in 1920’s jazz, but also incorporates a more modern rock sensibility, with a touch of swing and blues.  The combination works well within the structure of the show.  The songs capture the essence of the frenetic, decadent jazz era while giving a nod to contemporary norms.

Trevor Bunce of The Wild Party.  Photo by Meredith Longo.

The large cast, led by the four principles – Mollie Downes (Queenie), Trevor Bunce (Burrs), Cory Simmons (Mr. Black), and Maddi Bowman (Kate) – slink, slither, and prowl the stage.  Harris moves the performers, at times, as one amorphous entity, while also giving many of the cast members their own moment to shine.  The leads are the ringmasters of the debauched affair, taking center stage during the critical moments of the production.  Special nod to Trevor Bunce as the volatile, yet charismatic Burrs, and to Cory Simmons as the mysterious, suave Mr. Black.

 Cory Simmons of The Wild Party.  Photo by Meredith Longo.

Even with my enjoyment of The Wild Party, this is, as I stated, a challenging work for audiences.  It is not the usual frothy summer fare that most theaters present.  Still, the show, a rarely revived musical, is worth seeing. 

The Wild Party, playing at Playhouse on Park through August 18.  Click here for dates, times, and ticket information.