Directed by: George C. Wolfe

Album Producer: Phil Ramone

Orchestrations by: Bruce Coughlin

The Wild Party opened on April 13, 2000, at the Virginia Theatre on Broadway in New York City.

Recorded on April 16, 17 & 24 2000 at the Sony Music Studios in New York City.

The booklet contains the lyrics (21 pages), a two pages text by Wiley Hausman (Associate Producer/Dramaturg), 3 small color pictures of the cast and the stage, 2 color illustrations inspired by The Wild Party. Note that the jewel box also has two other small color pictures of cast members.

Before reviewing this recording, I absolutely wanted to review Marie Christine from the same composer. Michael John LaChiusa's said to be one of the most promising new composers and lyricist of musical theatre today. That's why I wanted to know some of his previous works before allowing myself to give an opinion on his most recent recording, to know the man a little better.

First of all, I found that The Wild Party was much easier to listen at than Marie Christine. To give an idea of the kind of musical it is, I would compare it to Chicago, somehow to Cabaret too, well to something Kander and Ebb could have had the idea to write. In its musical structure, it is as a succession of short scenes, each with its own palpable sound and mood personality. Nevertheless, this musical has its own soul, and making comparisons I don't mean to affect its originality, just to give an idea. Furthermore, it's more 'classification' than comparison though.

At a music point of view, I've been surprised by how it was easy to appreciate it at first listening. I was expecting something very complicated. On the other hand, I start having my ears trained by such composers as John Adams or Adam Guettel, which I highly appreciate, so maybe I don't feel it hard to listen at but listeners who never heard such 'modern' music could happen to be surprised. Nonetheless, I found nearly all the songs particularly enjoyable.

The performers also must be mentioned, because they make this recording a pleasure. They belong to that 'team' of singers that are really perfect for rendering these modern authors. They're often giving to such musicals a different part of themselves than what they would have given to a more traditional recording and that's nice to see another face of their talent. On that particular recording they are simply wonderful.

I'll conclude with a little reflection of mine which you'll share with me or not: it seems to me that this recording has a more 'traditional broadway' music and a rather modern structure, while Marie Christine has a more classical structure and a more modern music...