Mary Brzezinski and Cast Photo courtesy of Musical Theatre Southwest

In Musical Theatre Southwest's production of Andrew Lippa's (music, book and lyrics) The Wild Party, a tumultuous evening unfolds as Queenie, a show dancer, throws a lavish party to escape her troubled relationship with her volatile boyfriend, Burrs. Amidst the revelry, secrets are revealed and desires clash. The play, based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, explores the complexities of love, ambition, and the search for identity in a world of excess.

The Wild Party was Andrew Lippa's Off-Broadway attempt at 1920s risqué party culture. Unlike Chicago or Cabaret, to which it is often compared, The Wild Party has less spark or naughty fun. The characters have minimal backstories and are marginal outcasts of society about whom we know extraordinarily little.

This is a musical and not a musical comedy. There is nary a wink nor a snicker about anything or anyone here. The only people having fun are the actors, who are reveling in being a little bit naughty, a little bit nude, and a little sexy. They seem to be commenting on themselves and saying "Look how courageous we are to do this on stage."

The score is a pastiche of Kurt Weill, British music hall, burlesque, and opera all thrown together. Mr. Lippa is a knowledgeable and capable musician who can write in many musical styles. He has contributed much to the musical theatre genre over the years. This full-length musical saga, however, lacks cohesion.

To be sure, there is a great deal of talent roaming around in the MTS production of The Wild Party. Roaming around seems to be the key word here. There is no director listed for this production in the program. The whole experience has an unfinished, improvisational feel to it. So much is going on. Where is the focus?

That being said, there are some wonderful moments. The four main characters have two quartets that nearly rival those of classic opera. Some of the voices are outstanding. Jessica Osborne lights up the stage with a perfectly delivered "An Old-Fashioned Love Story." Mary Brzezinski, playing Queenie, has a great voice, as do the two male leads played by Nick Goodwin (Mr. Black) and Tanner Sroufe (Burrs). The orchestra does an acceptable job with a difficult score.

Returning again to what is or isn't sexy or provocative, the costumer is particularly important to realizing this goal. Most of the costumes are ill-fitting and sloppy. The lead is saddled with a black negligee that keeps falling off of her, not in a provocative way. Her white lace dress is way too conservative for Queenie the dancer. The costumes do little to camouflage or assist in the illusion of simulating sex on stage. Just because the characters are unorganized doesn't mean the play should be. Attention to detail is always needed.

MTS productions tell me that the director chose to step down from directing The Wild Party, but they do not say who helmed the production through the opening. It seems that no one is at the helm and the production drifts. Musical Theatre Southwest is known for its exceptionally fine, very professional productions. Unfortunately, this one misses the mark.

The Wild Party runs through October 19, 2024, at Musical Theatre Southwest, 6320-B Domingo NE, Albuquerque NM. Performances are Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm, Thursday 10/17 at 7:30 pm. General Admission $28.00, Discounted Tickets are $25. For tickets and information, please call 505-265-9119 or visit mtsabq.org.

Music, book, and lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Musical Director: Jenni Hipolito
Choreographer: Donielle
Costumes: Rachel Carpenter
Stage Manager: Alex Herrera.

The Cast: Tasha Booth, Mary Brzezinski, Savanna Castillo, Jordon Embree, Brieann Gillespie, Nick Goodwin, Nicholas Handley, Wren Miled, Corban Mejia, Maymie Mitchell, Jessica Osborne, Lea Quale, Milo Shimanek, Tanner Sroufe, Jessica Ubiera, Tam Van-Moya, and Ashlyn Vigil.