The Wild Party at Cue Zero Theatre Company

 In its upcoming production, Cue Zero Theatre Company presents a powerful, emotionally charged staging of Andrew Lippa’s “The Wild Party,” a musical that challenges audiences to confront the most difficult aspects of human morality and where we draw the line between acceptance and intolerance. 

Set during the roaring Jazz Age in New York City, The Wild Party centers around an ill-fated celebration hosted by Vaudeville dancer, Queenie and her violent lover, Burrs. With its sultry jazz-infused score, intense character dynamics, and dark undercurrent of betrayal and desire, the musical brings to life the excesses and ultimately destructive nature of the characters’ various forms of dependency (and codependency). Fueled by drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, jealousy, and addiction, the show explores universal themes of human nature, and requires a concerted focus on sensitivity and safety, employing an Intimacy Director, Intimacy Coordinator, Fight Choreographer, and a production staff with over 100 years of combined experience in the theatrical arts.

“The authenticity of the characters in telling their truth is absolutely essential to the show, and the actors’ dedication to portraying them with honesty and vulnerability has been an absolute blessing,” says Director, Jennifer Stearns. “One of the more meaningful elements of this show is the juxtaposition between the truly joyous and upbeat musical moments, and the much darker feelings fueling them. The central theme of performative happiness is woven throughout, and I want audiences to leave asking themselves how much of their own lives are performed for others, and whether circumstances can change the heart of a person. How does anyone ever become ‘evil?’ Could it happen to any of us?’”

The production team is further rounded out by Amanda Morgan (Music Director), Robyn Buckley (Stage Manager), Matt Brides (Fight Choreographer), Frankie Sheffield (Co-Choreographer), Brian Cook (Assistant Stage Manager), Koda Mehalba (Sound and Lighting Designer), Ash Kelley (Set Designer), Emma McDonald (Costume Designer), Anetta LaCount (Intimacy Coordinator), and a roster of dedicated technicians, photographers, artists, carpenters, and coordinators.

Says CZT Artistic Director, Dan Pelletier, “I am incredibly proud to be producing this show, with this creative team. We have something special here; this is a bold step in our ongoing commitment to bringing thought-provoking and timely stories to our community.”

Originally performed on Broadway with a cast featuring Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Brian D’Arcy James, and Julia Murney, “The Wild Party” features some of the most well-loved songs in the musical theatre canon, including “The Life of the Party,” “Raise the Roof,” and “An Old-Fashioned Love Story.” Varying in style from Latin and Gospel, to Jazz and R&B, it’s an impressive display of all that musical theatre can accomplish in a short two-hour window.

Authors

• Andrew Lippa
• George C. Wolfe
• Joseph Moncure March
• Michael John LaChiusa

Tony Awards and Nominations for The Wild Party