Friday, August 27, 2004
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- The Juggernaut - - -
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The Wild Party (Lippa) (2000 Off-Broadway Cast)
By Andrew Lippa
see relatedOkay, now, I know I said I was only going to do this once a week, but I'm leaving in the morning for Las Vegas, (which is going to kick ass!) so I'm not even going to post until at least Tuesday. Besides, I've been listening to musicals all day, and I'm really in the mood for this.
Yes, that's right peeps. It's time for the number nine best musical of all time!
Hang on a second, though. As I've been thinking about this this week, I've realized that there is at least one musical (I say at least, because I'm not going to limit myself; I may think of another of these later on) that I believe deserves an honorable mention. In other words, it's basically number 11 on the list. That musical is Avenue Q. One of the main reasons I hesitate to put it in the actual top ten is because it is so new and has not withstood the venerable "test of time". I am of the belief that music, any music, can get old and dull after you've heard it over and over for a period of more than a year or so. (Granted, there will come one exception to this rule, but I'll explain that when the time comes.) But basically, unless it is one of those ones that's absolutely among the elite, (and I'm not saying that eleventh place isn't elite) you're not going to know how you're going to feel about it after you've listened to it over fourty or fifty times. Despite this, this is a musical that I have to admit took me a much longer time to give a chance to than it should have. The first thing I heard about this musical was that it was a show done with puppets that happened to have a "Parental Warning" on it, and so I passed immediately. If that's what you've thought of this one up to this point, (which would make you crazy since it beat did beat out Wicked for best musical at the Tony's this past year) that's a cryin' shame. Just like the remainer of my top ten, if you love musicals, I hereby obligate you to own this album. I've seen the original cast (and not to be podantic, but I also own a first-edition poster signed by the entire original cast, signed by both John Tartaglia and Stephanie D'abruzio, that I'm extremely proud of) and it is without a doubt the funniest, most charming musical I have ever seen. And please, I beg you, do not let the fact that it's funny (as I almost always do) make you think that the music is no good. I was completely floored by how melodic and gorgeous one could fashion a musical-comedy into being while at the same time having it be a musical actually worth listening to (Urinetown comes to mind as being the only other musical-comedy to be worth getting as far as music goes). Avenue Q is cute and certainly worth hearing. Asthetically, it is in the vein of an episode of Sesame Street, but done in such a satirical way, that you'll be laughing the entire way through, whether you're sitting in a performance or simply listening to the soundtrack at home. I feel bad about spending too much time on this one, so as not to detract from my initial thought for this entry, but the bottom line is, this is a good one...unless you are easily offended. It makes no appologies for it's jokes about racism, stereotypes, or sexuality. But for me, and many others, that is entirely refreshing.
Okay, it's time. And by the way, when I list credentials for performers from these musicals, yes, that does mean they were part of the all-important original cast.
Number Nine: The Wild Party (2000 Off-Broadway Cast)
Music by Andrew Lippa
Includes performances from Idena Menzel (Rent, Wicked), Taye Diggs (Rent), Brian D'Arcy James, and Julia Murney
Based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, the 2000 cast recording is not actually an original. Michael John LaChuisa (Mame, Hello Dolly) created a star-studded, Tony-nominated, and short-lived version back in the 60's. Do not let this confuse you; this is an incredible cast, and one of the best revivals Broadway has ever seen (it is the only revival included in my top ten).
This is the ever-riske story of the Prohibition-era fête. Staring a woman named Queenie, who is becoming increasingly bored with her man, Burrs, and so decides to host the party to end all parties. Together, they decide to invite their best friends, and even some new friends, including the "great dancer", Kate (Idena Menzel) and her lover, Black, (Taye Diggs). The party the night away, and in the end, the sexual tension between Kate and Burrs, and Queenie and Black is realized in a violent and pensive manner.
Musically, this is a top-tier jazz musical infused with big-Broadway numbers you've come to expect from the best-of-the-best. Straight from the opening number, it will have you raising your eyebrows in amazement at the vocals and the melodies, and by the climactic ending, you'll be standing up, staring at your stereo in utter disbelief. Seriously, it's that good. And in one way, and one way only, it reminds me of Moulin Rouge: you'll undoubtedly have a favorite song your first time through, (The Juggernaut), and assuredly, you'll have a different favorite by your second listen (perhaps Make Me Happy, perhaps What Is It About Her?...there are too many to even guess). My point is that this musical has so much to it, that you're going to have a hard time choosing which is the best part. I still don't know... And just for future reference, any musical that has any members of the original cast of Rent you're going to want to get, and this one has two. If you don't already have their names memorized already, I'd advise any musical-lover to take the time to do it now...Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Idena Menzel, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Taye Diggs.
The Wild Party will be a welcome addtion to your Broadway collection. I guarantee you will not regret it. Party on!
P.S. If any of you are ever considering purchasing the musical Children of Eden, by the now-immortal Stephen Shwartz (Godspell, Wicked) go ahead and pass on it. While you're at it though, email me, (rpglegend1899@hotmail.com) and I'll send you the only number on it worth hearing, "Lost in the Wilderness".
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