Theatre II throws another exciting ‘Wild Party’
Students provide out of the ordinary interpretation of a Vaudevillian poem turned musical
By Lindsay Casale, contributing writer
Posted on November 13, 2006

Theatre II’s latest production, Michael La Chiusa’s “The Wild Party” will test boundaries and encroach on comfort zones with its emphasis on the decadence of human nature conveyed through song and dance.

“[Audience members] will be moved out of their comfortzone into a new dingy, has-been world for a short amount of time,” senior director Katie Culligan said.

Earlier this semester, Theatre II put on another production of “The Wild Party.” The first production was Andrew Lippa’s interpretation of Joseph Moncure  March’s poem and is a distinct contrast to La Chuisa’s play.

This production of “The Wild Party” is an interpretation of March’s 1928 poem by the same title. According to JMU’s  School of Theatre and Dance ,Queenie (played by senior Lauren Kidd) and clown Burrs (played by senior Kevin Hasser) decide to throw a party to spice up their mundane lives.

The musical focuses on this vaudevillian party turned dark and sinister through infidelity, promiscuity and alcoholism.

“The show begins and ends abruptly with no intermissions, so in a way, I look at it as more of an experience than just a musical,” Culligan said of the overall feeling of the production.

With such lofty themes as domestic violence, prejudice, sexual orientation and substance abuse, it is easy to imagine audiences will leave with what Culligan hopes is “a new perspective on the term ‘musical theater.’”

The cast of La Chuisa’s musical contains 15 characters and no defined chorus.

“Each character is integral to the plot and weaves the story together,” Culligan said of the cast. “When there is a chorus, it is a directorial choice.”

Culligan also wants to clarify the differences between this production and the one performed earlier this semester.

“This production is a world away from Andrew Lippa’s ‘The Wild Party,’” said Culligan. “Most importantly, the book and music are very different. La Chuisa’s incredibly well-crafted music has a more dissonant sound than Lippa’s.”

Culligan cites this dissonance as contributing to her desire to direct this particular production.

“I had always been a fan of Lippa’s, but I envisioned so much and felt I could use abstract thinking with this one,” Culligan said.

Audience members should be prepared for an unsettling, entertaining experience.

“The Wild Party” will be playing in Theatre II Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 14 to 18 at 8 p.m. with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased Monday, Nov. 13 at Theatre II from 4 to 7 p.m.