BWW Reviews: O.C.'s Theatre Out Throws THE WILD PARTY

Always edgy and never dull, Theatre Out—Orange County's Gay and Lesbian Theater company—has continually presented some interesting theater offerings since its remarkable debut in 2006. Its current production, a rambunctious revival of Andrew Lippa's topsy-turvy musical THE WILD PARTY, is no exception, as it corrals a huge pool of talents to tell the story of a bacchanal gone horribly, horribly awry. Directed and choreographed by recurring resident actor Frankie Marrone, the show plays at the Empire Theatre in the Santa Ana Arts District through July 2.

Based on a 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March—which coincidentally also begat a similarly-titled Broadway musical by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe in the same season—THE WILD PARTY was first fully produced off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2000, where it went on to win the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway musical. Lippa's outlandish, if chaotic show focuses on the tumultuous, often violent relationship between bawdy showgirl Queenie (Theatre Out fave Andrea Dennison-Laufer, looking like a younger Emily Skinner) and her jealousy-prone lover Burrs (Joaquin Nuñez), a clown by trade. Both vaudeville performers have a mutual, sexually-charged penchant for the sleazy side of life, which ultimately becomes the basis for their passionate love affair.

But a few years into their cohabitation at a Manhattan flat, the two grow ever more bitter about each other. Queenie, in particular, is fed up with Burrs' physically abusive behavior and devises a scheme to throw a fabulous party at their apartment, hoping to shame and decimate him in front of their friends. Soon the audience is introduced to an odd mixture of wildly eccentric guests, including Queenie's BFF/chief adversary Kate (the fabulous Katy Harvey), an ex-hooker who is currently dating a handsome, seemingly well-dressed gentleman, Mr. Black (Eric Ronquillo, who seems to look like a teenager).

Here's where it gets complicated: hell-bent on embarrassing her husband, Queenie initiates an out-in-the-open flirtation with Mr. Black, who as it turn out is extremely attracted to her as well. Meanwhile, Kate sets her sights on scooping up Burrs, with the help of a mind-altering powdered substance.

In between the drama of this feisty quadrangle, we meet more kooky party guests, such as lovelorn lesbian madam Madelaine True (scene-stealing Janet McGregor) with one of her prostitutes, Dolores (Nicole Roca); heavy-accented boxer Eddie (Josh Holman) and his high-strung, high-pitched wife Mae (Colleen Wilson); flamboyant über-gay Broadway composers Oscar and Phil (Jared Ryan Kaitz and Dustin Thompson, respectively); theater producer Sam (David Miller); and even a mute dancer named Jackie (Sergio Mitre). As the show moves forward, there's no shielding the palpable tension—and the electric chemistry developing between Queenie and Mr. Black—that clouds over this party.

An unusual, though intriguing mixed bag of broad comedy, soaring anthem-lIke Ballads, and rousing group numbers, THE WILD PARTY is undeniably fun and entertaining, even though most of the time, the show itself feels like a cacophony of musical ideas all fighting for dominance, some more successful than others. What this Kander-and-Ebb-aping musical has going for it, primarily, is the show's sheer audacity to attempt to be different. It never tries to waver from its wish to feel avant-garde, though it never quite hits its ultimate summit either. Despite the show's minor discord, it certainly has a lot of spirited spunk, as well as a challenging collection of songs that demands for a talented cast to perform them. There is certainly more to like than dislike in Lippa's schizophrenic musical. The title song alone—and the wild response it incites—is enough to warrant everyone to give the show a second thought.

Like the show itself, Theatre Out's treatment of their revival also feels a bit schizophrenic. While there are a lot of moments when the direction skews the show into what feels like a high school production attempting to deliver decidedly adult fair, the acting and musical performances are almost always top-notch. THE WILD PARTY has a complicated score to begin with, and this cast really does its best to stay on pitch while the pre-recorded soundtrack (provided courtesy of 3D Theatricals) warbles in the background. As a collective ensemble, they really blend well together, even though they sporadically tend to screech and over-sing at times (a necessity, perhaps, in a show where the cast members aren't adorned with microphones).

I must say, though, I feel it's such an admirable feat to take on—spreading out this huge cast in such a small stage space—and they've certainly accomplished it well here. The group numbers don't feel hindered by the small footprint, and portable set pieces do the trick in other vignettes. An unfortunate side-effect of this, however, is the production's use of lighting. Most times whole groups and even some individuals that are important to certain scenes are completely bathed in darkness—not out of thematic context, but perhaps, out of economic necessity.

More than anything, THE WILD PARTY is the type of show seemingly made for the superbly-voiced musical theater actor. It's a show that allows for its talented, go-for-broke players to really strut their stuff for an audience willing to suspend any misgivings they may have with the book, the plot trajectory, or even the show's erratic vibe. With that said, if one or two cast members can't quite reach the level of the other great singers around them, it's not hard to spot them from the lot.

Nonetheless, leading the large cast of excellent voices is Dennison-Laufer, whose frequent presence in multiple Theatre Out productions over the past few seasons has really elevated her to become this theater company's go-to female star and resident muse. Here playing the naughty yet vulnerable Queenie, THE WILD PARTY is yet another opportunity for the talented actress to showcase her arsenal of varying personalities as well as her impressive vocal prowess. And she's quite the trooper, too. In the show's Opening Night performance, even with an unexpected wardrobe malfunction that occurs during the very heated, climactic scene, she carries on without ever breaking the mood required for that moment. It was actually a blessing of live theater, as we witness her openness and vulnerability color the performance even more.

But, hold up... vying for a spot on that same laudable pedestal is Harvey, who really oozes out every bit of sexuality and tragedy out of her outstanding rendition of Kate. Deliciously coarse and blessed with a spicy diva-belt that her peers will surely envy, Harvey is supremely perfect in this show. Her multiple, ovation-worthy solos—especially her second-act opener "The Life Of The Party"—will absolutely enthrall you. I think I quietly uttered "wow" quite a few times when she sang.

There are other standouts in the cast, particularly Nuñez (Burrs), who has some great vocal moments throughout the show; and the very funny McGregor (Madelaine)—the cast's most senior member—who perhaps has the distinction of being the one character that elicits the loudest laughs of the night. In her brilliant one-liners and in her featured number "Old-Fashioned Love Story," these young'ins could learn a thing or two from this first-rate broad about great comic timing.

As a show, THE WILD PARTY won't be everyone's cup of tea—during the opening night performance, all but two patrons left hurriedly after intermission—and that's not such a bad thing. Requiring a bit of open-mindedness from its audience, it's certainly a different kind of musical offering, the kind steeped in complicated  but intricate rhythms, erratic tangents, and less-than-likeable characters. As I watched the show from beginning to end, I went back and forth on how I felt about it. Fortunately, good points often trumped the few bad ones, which was enough for me to walk away entertained. Ultimately, though, THE WILD PARTY is essentially a great showcase for talented singers. Just think of it as a cabaret act with a huge cast, wonderful singing and dancing, and some funny one-liners. Oh, and a really sad, sometimes violent clown that gets seduced by a cocaine-addicted ex-hooker. Intriguing, right?

Follow this reviewer on Twitter: @cre8ivemlq

All photos from A WILD PARTY by Stephen Rack for Theatre Out. From top: Queenie (Andrea Dennison-Laufer) and her shirtless boys; Kate (Katy Harvey) is determined to steal Burrs from Queenie; Mr. Black (Eric Ronquillo) is instantly smitten with Queenie.

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Performances of Theatre Out's THE WILD PARTY continue through July 2. Check Theatre Out's web site for specific dates and times for each performance. Tickets are priced $20.00 - $25.00 (adult admission) and $15.00 (students with valid student ID). Special pricing available at certain performances.

Directed and Choreographed by Frankie Marrone with musical direction by Stephen Amundson.

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes with one intermission. Contains adult content and nudity. Non-tabacco cigarette are used briefly during the performance.

Theatre Out's home is The Empire Theatre in the Artists' Village in downtown Santa Ana, located at 202 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA. Tickets are available online at www.theatreout.com or by calling the Theatre Out Box Office at (714) 826-8700.

Visit www.theatreout.com for more information.

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