John Hall - Musical Theater and Opera Archive

History

About The Wild Party

The New York theater season of 2000 was strange in that it had two new musical productions based upon the same source The Wild Party; a long poem written in the twenties by Joseph Moncure March, a former editor of New Yorker magazine. How both composers Michael John La Chiusa and Andrew Lippa came upon this rather esoteric subject was due to the publication of a new edition of the poem with Pulitzer Prize winning (Maus) illustrator Art Spiegelman's haunting woodcuts that captured the sleazy flavor of March's show-biz characters and that manic quality that made the twenties roar. The four-part relationship between the darkly tragic clown Burrs and his lover, the show girl, Queenie with Kate, the hooker and her boyfriend Black seemed perfect foil for song and dance.

La Chiusa, who had written the cult musical hit Parade, had the backing of George C. Wolff and the New York Public Theater. His version (starring Toni Colette, Mandy Patinkin and Eartha Kitt) arrived on Broadway a year later than expected to critical acclaim. Andrew Lippa, responsible for the Tony Award revision of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (presented by UCLA in 2001), had developed his show at the O'Neill Theater and had an off-Broadway debut at the Manhattan Theater Center. The public adored Lippa's version and his show was given an extra week's run at MTC, expectations were high that his version would make the move to Broadway, but that didn't happen. Still, the people who had seen his version (or both) felt Lippa's show was superior to the production on Broadway. His songs were show-stoppers, his lyrics clever and soon it was given new life on CD. Lippa's off-Broadway The Wild Party was eagerly awaited by regional theaters and university programs across the nation. UCLA Music Theater Workshop is very proud to present the West Coast premiere of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party giving our students a chance to perform something brand new and very special and to let our audience have a taste of Andrew Lippa, a shining new light in American Music Theater.

Synopsis

The story takes place in New York City 1929.

Act One

The opening is a prologue that introduces two vaudeville entertainers ...Queenie, the showgirl and Burrs, the clown. They meet and the sexual sparks fly. They seem perfect for each other; each has a tendency for kink and sleaze. They move in together. We then move to their apartment where, after a couple of years boredom and distrust have taken the place of passion. Tired of Burrs and his brutal ways, Queenie makes plans to throw a party where she can embarrass Burrs publicly to put him in his place (Out of the Blue). Burrs agrees to the party idea and they invite their friends, a mixture of show-biz types, hookers and low lifes.

The party gets started and we meet the motley crew that assembles. From Eddie, the pugilist to the flamboyant d'Armano brothers, to the hooker Dolores along with the lesbian madam Madeleine True it is soon apparent that it will be quite an evening (What A Party). Queenie makes her entrance and makes it very clear that she is out for a good time with no holds barred (Raise The Roof). When Kate, a definite party kind of girl, arrives with her latest 'boyfriend' Black (Look At Me Now) Queenie sees her chance to make Burrs jealous. She'll make Black the center of her attentions for the evening. But, she is unaware that Kate has set her cap to steal Burrs. So the party is loaded and ready for some surprises (He Was Calm).

Black notices Queenie's attention and asks Kate just what her story is. Kate warns him that he should be careful and Burrs has a bad temper. But the two couples cannot escape what is already in motion (Poor Child). The party guests seem to be on the look out for something new and exciting. Even Madeleine True is in the market for romance (An Old Fashioned Love Story). Couples start forming and begin to dance the latest craze (The Juggernaut). Queenie quickly pairs up with Black and Kate with Burrs. The tension between the couples gets physical when Burrs tries to stop Queenie from dancing with Black. The brothers d'Armano diffuse the tension by suggesting that Queenie and Burrs do a number from their new Broadway show based on the Bible called "Good Heavens". With Queenie playing Eve and Burrs as Adam we 'audition' a song for the producer Sam Himmelsteen who is a guest at the party (Wild, Wild Party). The noise finally causes a neighbor to complain and Eddie, the 'pugilist' and his girlfriend Mae tell the neighbor where to go. They seem perfect for each other and prove it by singing (Two Of A Kind).

By now, Queenie fascinates Black and he asks her just what kind of relationship she has with Burrs. Queenie, surprised by her own feelings for Black, tries to explain her complex arrangement (Maybe I Like It This Way). Burrs tries to make some sense of his feelings toward Queenie (What Is It About Her?).

Act Two

Kate is frustrated by her inability to get Burrs to focus on her and sings of her personal philosophy of just having fun (The Life of the Party). Black gets Queenie alone and he flirts with her (The Gal For Me). Queenie, confused about her feelings toward Black, asks him just what he means and he surprises her with the depth of his answer (I'll Be Here).

The drunken Burrs, who can see clearly that he is losing Queenie to this stranger, interrupted the two and there is a confrontation. Burrs decides to 'play the clown' and leads the party in a drunken revel (Let Me Drown). Trying to locate Queenie, Burrs begins to hallucinate. He keeps hearing Queenie's voice but mistakenly accosts Mae, which infuriates Eddie who decides to fight with his host. The drunken party guests urge on the fight and Burrs takes quite a beating until Black steps in to knockout Eddie. Kate takes Burrs aside and offers him cocaine to stop the pain. Queenie and Black withdraw to the bedroom and their feelings for each other are too much to ignore (Come With Me).

By this time, all the guests are feeling no pain and the party indeed becomes an orgy. The neighbor, fed up with the noise, calls the cops. Exhausted, the guests fall into a drunken stupor leaving the young dancer Jackie to sadly leave alone (Jackie's Last Dance). Burrs awakes and goes to find Queenie. When he discovers her with Black he goes into a rage and pulls a gun (Make Me Happy). Terrified Queenie tries to reason with him but when Black struggles for the weapon it fires killing Burrs. Queenie tells Black to leave and is left wondering how her idea for a party could end with such tragedy (How Did We Come To This). The party is over and the police are on their way.

Cast Biographies

Michael Aspinwall
New to UCLA, Michael Aspinwall (Eddie) makes his California debut stage appearance in this production. He sends love and thanks to his parents in Montana and to his brother and sister. He also thanks all his friends and Coach Erinn and the UCLA Men's Crew.

Kevin Carey
Kevin Carey (Kegs) has been in over 25 professional and semi-professional productions in the Bay Area. This is his first production at UCLA. Favorite roles include Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Tony (West Side Story) and Richard (Ah, Wilderness).

Chris Fore
Southern California native Chris Fore is pleased to make his UCLA debut in The Wild Party.

Sarah Girard
Sarah Girard (Nadine) is excited to make her UCLA debut in The Wild Party. Sarah is a member of the Royal Academy of Dance and sings with Awaken Acapella at UCLA. Other credits include Laurey in Oklahoma and Cinderella in Into The Woods.

Lindsay Gray
Sophomore Lindsay Gray (Tootsie) is studying in the music theater track of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. She is excited to make her debut in The Wild Party and is thankful to all those who helped make it happen.

Kelsey Jessup
Kelsey Jessup (Rose) is enjoying her second year as a Theater Major at UCLA. She hails from Northern California and is excited to be a part of The Wild Party!

Geoffrey Kidwell
Third year theater major Geoffrey Kidwell (Reno) has had a wonderful experience with The Wild Party company. He thanks Danielle and his entire family for their constant encouragement.

Brittany Longdon
Originally from Southern Orange County, theater major Brittany Longdon (Madelaine True) would like to thank her mom, dad and brother for their support and love always! A special thanks to all her friends who traveled many miles to see her shake what she's got on stage one more time!

Peter Musante
Peter Musante (Black) is a second year music theater major from San Mateo and is thrilled to be making his UCLA music theater debut in The Wild Party. He thanks Brad Friedman, Gary Busby and his parents for their endless support.

Amelia Nelson
Amelia Nelson (Ellie) is a first-year theater major and is ecstatic about performing in her first UCLA production with such an inspiring cast.

Ryan Scott Oliver
Sophomore Ryan Scott Oliver (Max) is a double major in music composition and voice at UCLA. In his spare time Ryan likes to write Catholic masses and dream about turning "The Shining" into a musical.

Andrew Pandaleon
Andrew Pandaleon (Burrs) is happy to make his UCLA Music Theater debut in the Wild Party and is especially grateful to be working with such a wonderful cast. In past years at UCLA Andrew has been seen in productions of The Rimers of Eldritch, The Glass Menagerie, Bookends and Lifecord. His musical performances include Georg in She Loves Me, the title role in Pippin and J. Pierpont Finch in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Michel Patrician
Freshman Michel Patrician (Peggy/Dance Captain) has spent 10 seasons with Sacramento's California Music Circus. Some award winning performances include Emma in Jekyll and Hyde, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Maria in West Side Story. She is also a featured singer in the film "Prince of Egypt."

Monica Quintanilla
Monica Quintanilla (Kate) is a third-year theater major in the music theater track at UCLA. She is very pleased and excited to be working with the UCLA Music Department on this show. She thanks her Mother and all of her teachers that have given her endless guidance and support.

Tracey Rohrer
Tracey Rohrer (Dolores) is a third-year theater major. The Wild Party marks Tracey's first appearance in an R rated musical and she's very excited. She thanks her parents for their love and support.

Brett Ryback
First-year music major Brett Ryback (Phil) is a professional singer, actor, pianist and composer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is delighted to be a part of this great cast and to work with John, Bill and the rest of the wonderful production staff.

Mia Sable
Mia Sable (Lola) hails from Charlotte, North Carolina and as a freshman in the Theater Department she is thrilled to be in her first show at UCLA. She would like to thank the combination of forces which have brought her to Los Angeles.

J. Sterling Sulieman
Freshman J.Sterling Sulieman (Jackie) is excited to be in his first of hopefully many shows at UCLA. He has played in community theater back home in Hawaii but loves his "next chapter" in The Wild Party.

Taylor Sternberg
Taylor Sternberg (Oscar) is a native Californian and is currently a freshman in the theater program at UCLA. Before coming to UCLA, Taylor studied theater at NYU's CAP21 studio and around the LA area. "Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow." Oscar Wilde

Anne Warren
Senior Anne Warren (Queenie) is thrilled to be playing Queenie in the West Coast premiere of The Wild Party. Most recently, Anne played the role of 'crazy Amy' in the UCLA Theater Department production of Company directed by John Rubinstein. She thanks her parents and family for their never ending support.

Erika Whalen
Erika Whalen (Mae) is honored to be a part of The Wild Party cast. She was last seen in the Cabrillo Musical Theater productions of Mame and Camelot. Other credits include Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly, Mimi in Guys and Dolls, Anybody's in West Side Story and she can also be recognized as Alice in Wonderland at the famous Disneyland resort.

Ben Wright
Hailing from Dallas, Ben Wright made his Schoenberg Hall debut in last season's production of Mozart's La finta giardiniera with the UCLA Opera Workshop. He was also in the company of Make Someone Happy; A Salute to Betty Comden and Adolf Green last November.

Production Biographies

Yoli Bennett
With her home base in Carlsbad, costume designer Yoli Bennett has created clothes for many Southern California productions of music theater as well as being Wardrobe Supervisor for Legoland California. At UCLA we have been fortunate to have her designs for Into the Woods, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Once Upon A Mattress, Babes in Arms and Triumph of Love.

Eileen Cooley
Lighting Designer Eileen Cooley is best known for her designs for dance companies. From folk dance to modern dance or classical ballet she creates a special ambience that enhances movements with color and form. Her artistry is equally at home with music theater and opera. At UCLA we have enjoyed her stunning lighting in such varied repertory as Babes In Arms, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Triumph of Love.

Daniel Cummings
Assistant Music Director Daniel Cummings is a 2nd year Masters Student in the UCLA Choral Conducting program under Professor Donald Neuen. Daniel comes to Los Angeles from Albuquerque, where he received his Bachelors degree in Music Composition from the University of New Mexico. Daniel has served as accompanist and musical director for many musical theater productions and first worked with UCLA Music Theater Workshop in last season's production of Triumph of Love. As a performer, Daniel was a soloist in the premiere of The Crocodile's Christmas Ball by UCLA composer Roger Bourland in Royce Hall last December.

Robert Deman
The versatile Robert Deman has designed sets for many UCLA productions of opera and music theater. Whether standard repertory like Puccini's Madama Butterfly or more esoteric fare like Virgil Thomson's Four Saints in Three Acts his sense of style and command of stagecraft makes each production a new experience. His recent designs for UCLA Music Theater Workshop include Babes In Arms, Triumph of Love, Into the Woods and Once Upon A Mattress directed by Carol Burnett.

John Hall
John Hall has produced and directed over 70 productions of opera and music theater for UCLA Department of Music. Alumni of his productions are currently performing on Broadway, in national and international touring companies and in opera houses in Europe and the US. From 17th century operas like Orontea by Cesti to contemporary works like Bernstein's Candide his productions are notable for their energy and clarity. Mr. Hall is also a well-known librettist and has directed the Carnegie Hall premiere of his cantata Flashpoint/Stonewall (music by Roger Bourland) and has had his song cycles Encountertenor and Thoughts Unspoken (music by Jake Heggie) sung in London's Wigmore Hall and on the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Series. John Hall also teaches at SongFest where he will join master teachers Graham Johnson, Martin Katz and composer John Harbison this summer to work with young singers.

Ben Makino
Music Director Ben Makino is a 2nd year Masters Student in Conducting working under the guidance of Professor Jon Robertson. An alumni of Chapman University, Ben made his UCLA Philharmonia debut last season conducting the rarely performed Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan by Charles Griffes. Most recently he conducted Luciano Berio's Folk Songs on the UCLA Department of Music Faculty Chamber Music Series. With the UCLA Music Theater Workshop, Ben has worked on Triumph of Love, Make Someone Happy; The Songs of Comden and Green and the Carol Burnett Awards in Music Theater.

Carson Schutze
Carson Schutze has served as Musical Director for Children of Eden, Little Shop, On the Town, Superstar, South Pacific, Company, Chess, Godspell, Oliver! His acting credits include Anthony (Sweeney), Kodaly (She Loves Me), Nick (Baby), Alfred/Lenny (Romance/Romance), Snake (Apple Tree). By day, Carson is a Linguist teaching at UCLA.

Bill Szobody
Choreography credits for Bill Szobody include Man of La Mancha and Dance in Flight for Pepperdine University; Triumph of Love at UCLA; Calamity Jane with the Sierra Repertory Theater, Crazy For You for the Peninsula Players and Singin' In the Rain for the Westchester Broadway Theater. He also assisted choreographer Pat Birch for the national company of Parade. As a Broadway performer Bill appeared in the original cast of the current revival of Cabaret, the Johnny Mercer revue Dream and the Tony Award winning Parade. Los Angeles saw him as Benoit in the National Company of Martin Guerre. Bill currently teaches theater dance for Pepperdine University and the UCLA Music Theater Workshop.

The Wild Party - 2003

History

Synopsis

Musical Numbers

Cast

Orchestra

Cast Biographies

Credits

UCLA Music Theater Workshop

Review

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