'The Wild Party' too difficult?

[RaniG]

Hi everyone!

I'm in a student amateur society for musical at uni and I plan on directing the musical next year. To that purpose, I'm looking for more 'edgy' musicals that can accomodate a large cast, with a lot of little roles for ensemble members. The last two years, we've done 'Spring Awakening' and 'Rent'.

I was considering doing the Lippa version of 'The Wild Party', as it ticks all the right boxes. But then someone told me it's much too difficult. Do you agree?

And if so, why? And do you have any suggestions for an 'edgy' musical that would fit the bill?

Thanks!

[WOSQ]

The fundamental and basically unsolvable problem with either version of The Wild Party is that the characters as a whole are not-nice people who spend an entire show doing not-nice things to one another. By the time it was over (and I saw both versions) I just wanted all the characters to go away forever, and I didn't care how they went away so long as they went.

If you're going to do The Wild Party, the Lippa version is less nasty, but not by much. It isn't difficult musically. It is difficult, nigh on to impossible to make the audience care.

[bwaylvsong]

^Agreed- the songs are very catchy and not terribly difficult, but the show as a whole is less than the sum of its parts.

[Basingstoke]

If you are wanting to do this show, I strongly recommend getting the best pianist you can find. Half the music isn't on the cast recording, and it is intensely dissonant jazz. Great idea for an edgy show. Also, look up New Line Theatre for some good background essays on the show.


new line theatre