Wild Party, The
Directed by George C. WolfeWriter/composer Michael John LaChiusa returned to The Public with this adaptation of Joseph Moncure March's jazz-age poem.
The Wild Party is the tale of one booze-soaked night in 1920's New York. Queenie, a vaudeville dancer, and her boyfriend, a cruel clown named Burrs, throw a party filled with dilettantes and delinquents, and overflowing with sin and gin. While showbiz hopefuls and fading stars schmooze and scheme to keep their careers moving up, the alcohol flows freely, and Queenie flirts with her friend's date in an effort to make Burrs jealous. She succeeds, and the results bring the party to a tragic end.
This production received Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Mandy Patinkin), Best Actress in a Musical (Toni Collette), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Eartha Kitt), Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Lighting Design.