The Wild Party (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
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CD Details
Composer: Andrew LippaEdition: Music CD
Format: Cast Recording
CD Release Date: 2000-07-11
Music Label: RCA Victor Broadway
Soundtracks:
- Act I: Queenie Was A Blonde
- Act I: Out Of The Blues
- Act I: What A Party
- Act I: Raise The Roof
- Act I: Look At Me Now
- Act I: Poor Child
- Act I: An Old-Fashioned Love Story
- Act I: By Now The Room Was Moving
- Act I: The Juggernaut
- Act I: A Wild, Wild Party
- Act I: Two Of A Kind
- Act I: Maybe I Like It This Way
- Act I: What Is It About Her?
- Act II: The Life Of The Party
- Act II: I'll Be Here
- Act II: Let Me Drown
- Act II: Tell Me Something
- Act II: Come With Me
- Act II: Jackie's Last Dance
- Act II: Make Me Happy
- Act II: How Did We Come To This?/Queenie Was A Blonde (Reprise)
Music reviews of The Wild Party (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Music Review: An AMAZING CD with an INCREDIBLE cast!
Rating: 5 Stars
Unfortunately, this show didn't make it to Broadway from it's Off-Broadway location, but that doesn't mean it's not worth checking out!
Based off of the poem "The Wild Party, written by Joseph Moncure March in 1928, it follows a vaudeville dancer named Queenie (played by the wonderful performer, Julia Murney) and her abusive relationship with Vaudevillian clown, Burrs (intensely portrayed by Brian D'Arcy James.) The entire musical takes place over the course of one night during a "wild party" Queenie throws in Burrs' honor.
Though I wasn't able to see the LIVE production of this show during it's short run, I am still moved to laughter and tears by it's fantastic music.
Also included in the cast of talented performers are Idina Menzel (having previously performed in 1996's RENT and is currently playing Elphaba in Broadway's WICKED) and her husband, Taye Diggs (of RENT and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" fame). All of the performers are perfectly cast and believable in their roles, and the story is intensified by the fast, jazzy lyrics and music!
Here are my PERSONAL opinions on the individual songs:
1. Queenie Was a Blonde - 8/10 Wonderful opening, sets the mood for the entire show. It directly quotes the poem from the book, introducing Queenie and Burrs' relationship. Beautiful lyrics (thanks to Joseph Moncure March's writing) and FUN music!
2. Out of the Blue - 8/10 Lovely song, starts out really slow (pace-wise), but sets the stage for the actual party. It builds more throughout to Burrs' entrance near the end. Very good.
3. What A Party - 7/10 Interesting song, though not the best. It pretty much only introduces the guests arriving at the party, so there isn't a lot of substance to it. But, it isn't a bad number.
4. Raise the Roof - 9/10 Fantastic, upbeat solo for Queenie. Has a bit of a "salsa"-like style to the music, mixed with some JAZZ. Makes you want to get up and DANCE, and it shows off Julia Murney's singing talents.
5. Look At Me Now - 9/10 Introduces Kate (Idina Menzel) to the story, and it is a WONDERFULLY fun and well-sung song! Idina belts with all her heart, and this is one of HER coolest numbers in the show! - Mr. Black (Taye Diggs) is also introduced in this number
6. Poor Child - 7/10 Not MY favorite number in the show, but the singing is wonderful. A four-some song for the four leads, it begins slow, with Taye Diggs' beautiful voice, but as it continues (when they all start singing at once), it can seem a little bit muddled. Sort of like the inner thoughts of each character (and what they think of the others). Interesting, but kind of confusing if you aren't able to follow.
7. An Old-Fashioned Love Story - 6/10 Cool song, kinda funny, sung by one of the party guests named Madeline True (Alix Korey). Doesn't really have anything to do with the plot, so its relevence is sort of lost. Just a fun insert.
8. By Now the Room Was Moving - 7/10 The shortest song on the CD (1:17), it involved most of the company, but it really only narrates what is going on and creates suspense as the plot builds. Good singing, though.
9. The Juggernaut - 8/10 A song that grew on me the more I listened to it, it's a Company number, very jazzy. Starts with showing the drama developing between Queenie, Black, Kate, and Burrs, then turns to more of a fast, instrumental section where they - you guessed it! - do the JUGGERNAUT!
10. A Wild, Wild Party - 10/10 An AWESOMElY fun and hilarious number, seperate from the plot a little, that has very creative lyrics and wonderful vocals! This one will get your toes tapping!!
11. Two of a Kind - 8/10 Cute number, very funny, though is on the same level as "Old-Fashioned Love Story". Doesn't have TOO much to do with the plot and is sung by two guests at the party.
12. Maybe I Like It This Way - 9/10 Heartbreaking song, sung by Queenie, talking about her relationship with Burrs. A slow, somber number, placed perfectly after a lot of intense songs. Beautiful singing by Julia Murney.
13. What Is It About Her? - 8/10 Another somber number, sung by both Burrs and Queenie about each other. Closes out Act One, builds near the end to a more intense finish. Good number.
14. The Life of the Party - 10/10 Idina Menzel's only COMPLETE solo, it is one of the BEST songs on the CD! She belts the CRAP out of this song, and it's so wonderfully sung! You'll be playing this one on repeat for sure!
15. I'll Be Here - 9/10 Taye Diggs' only COMPLETE solo, as well. It is a beautiful, ballad-like number, really showing off his sexy vocals
16. Let Me Drown - 10/10 FANTASTIC SONG!! Brian D'Arcy James exhibits his deliciously sexy voice in this extremely AWESOME song, and Idina Menzel offers her talents as well! The music mixes JAZZ and a little hint of GOSPEL, and it's one of the most interesting songs on the album!
17. Tell Me Something - 7/10 Nice song, sort of serves as more of a set-up for the NEXT song. It's slow, almost like they are TALKING the lyrics... but it IS pretty.
18. Come With Me - 8/10 Follow-up to the previous song, this one is a LOT sexier, with suggestive lyrics and beautiful vocals. Don't skip over this one!
19. Jackie's Last Dance - 2/10 But skip over this one! It's only instrumental, and it's short (about 2:31). Boring and not important, it only has relevence when watching the show live. I recommend jumping STRAIGHT to the next song.
20. Make Me Happy - 10/10!! The BEST song on the CD, it is an evilly INTENSE number sung by Burrs, Black, and Queenie. Each character has their own section at the start, then it goes into the overlapping of their lyrics. But unlike "Poor Child", it is BEAUTIFUL!! It makes your heart race faster and sends CHILLS up your spine. It just builds and builds to it's surprising close, and you'll be shocked when you realize you've been holding your breath in anticipation! SPECTACULAR!
21. How Did We Come to This?/Queenie Was a Blonde (reprise) - 8/10 Literally the "deneaumont" of the entire show, this song is the slow conclusion to the previous number (which I consider the TRUE finale). Queenie sings this part wonderfully and it's a relaxed finish to an INTENSE story.
~ That's my account of each number, though those are just my opinions. I HIGHLY recommend buying this album to see for yourself, ESPECIALLY if you are a fan of any of the 4 leads. They all have at least TWO fantastic numbers, so your money will NOT be wasted!
- Also, this is a VERY different version from "The Wild Party" musical that premiered on Broadway in the same year, written by LaChuisa. Though they ARE based off of the SAME poem, this one, I feel, is much more adult and sexy. It shows off a much more interesting character dynamic, and the music is a LOT better!
BUY this CD now! You WON'T regret it!
Description of The Wild Party (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Some 70 years after being written, Joseph Moncure March's 1928 Jazz-Age poem, The Wild Party, proved it still knew how to inspire: a pair of musicals dedicated to the sultry tale of excess were produced virtually concurrently. Too bad good parties, like good jokes, are often hard to recount. While the Tony-nominated, star-studded, and short-lived Wild Party by Michael John LaChiusa embraced the dark side of the Prohibition-era fête, this off-Broadway production by Andrew Lippa tries too hard to have a good time. March's poem is a seething, seedy work filled with internal struggle, but on this disc we never sense that underbelly. It's not until Taye Diggs, as Black, sings the touching "Poor Child" that we sense any tenderness at all in this morality play. For lighthearted good times, Julia Murney as Queenie and Brian d'Arcy James as her abusive lover Burrs do the job. On the fun, upbeat numbers ("What a Party," "Raise the Roof") this cast shines. But, despite its fascinating premise--a life-changing, epic event in the lives of a bunch of Prohibition-era misfits--this musical somehow still suffers from shallowness. --Jason Verlinde
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