About a week ago, I went to see Wild Party by Andrew Lippa at OhLook! Performing Arts Center. My voice teacher played the lead role, Queenie, and I had been waiting to see this production for about a year. It was a condensed version because it was an hour long version that they took to competition.
The story consists of exactly what it's titled, a wild party. Queenie is in an abusive relationship with Burrs, and begins to fall for Black during the party. Throughout the story though she comes to wonder if she likes the abuse she suffers from Burrs. All actors remain onstage throughout the entirety of the show. The show is very sexual, but is able to execute that theme is a classy way, but still straightforward rather than alluding. It had the ability of being tastefully crude.
This theater is where I am doing Rent at the moment, and also where I did Sound of Music last year. It's a 70 seat, black box type theater. It always amazes me what great quality the shows are there. The artistic director and her husband are both successful opera singers, and are able to put together shows in a low stress yet professional environment.
The set for this show was simple (as it was the competition set), yet was very reminiscent of a New York studio from the 20's. It was very realistic and organized which allowed for a clear set up and progression of the story. The costumes were also very simple, but risqué which furthered the overall theme.
The actors in this show all had incredible and consistent voices and acting. They stayed constant with the 20's setting , but the provocativity of the show implied it's contemporary style. The ensemble was positioned in a way that they were active and kept a story of their own, but was never distracting nor did they detract from the main plot. The numbers were uniquely choreographed so that they were in keeping with the show. However, they also were able to highlight dance talent.
Every character, even non principals, had their own character and humor about them. The intimate setting of the theater allowed the audience to really become engulfed with the party itself. It was the perfect example of organized chaos. The genius of this piece was in really illustrating the overbearing eccentric nature of the characters and party while also keeping it all clear. Stephanie Hall who played Queenie, did a wonderful job of capturing all the dynamic emotions of the show: the confusion, the passion, the anger, the desperation, and the broken nature of Queenie.
