BWW Reviews: STC Throws One WILD PARTY That Shouldn't Be Missed!

It's a really good thing the air conditioning is working in the Seattle Center Armory because something has to cool the audience down after Sound Theatre Company's current production of "The Wild Party". Not only is it a sultry good time but the fear, love, lust, anger and danger coming off the cast is palpable.

Based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March, the show by Andrew Lippa (yes this is the Lippa version which personally I prefer and not the LaChiusa) follows a deadly 1920's bohemian love quadrangle between Queenie (Tori Spero) a sexy vaudeville performer, Burrs (Troy Wageman) a rage filled clown, Kate (Allison Standley) a drug amped life of the party and Mr. Black (Jesse Smith) the mysterious, confident yet reserved newcomer to the group. Queenie has finally had enough of Burrs treating her badly (often with his fist) but is afraid to just leave him so she devices a plan. They'll throw a party for all their close bohemian friends and she'll embarrass Burrs so much that he'll leave her. Along come their crazy party guests including the wild Kate who has brought along her new fling. Mr. Black. But Kate has a plan of her own where she'll get Queenie to go for Mr. Black leaving Burrs to her. And all of this in the midst of a party filled with music and booze, which eventually evolves into a steamy orgy.

What director Corey D. McDaniel, music director Carl Petrillo, choreographer Jessica Low and the designers have done is effectively transport us back to the carefree days of 1928 New York and shown off the fun and frivolity of it all but never once sacrificing the grit or menace that the story demands. This is not a happy little musical. It's filled with violence, drugs and oh, did I mention the orgy? And McDaniel and his team shy away from none of it.

Every member of the ensemble cast is sublime. From the leads down to the smallest cameo part everyone in the cast gets their moment to shine and shine they do. There's DeSean Halley and McKenna Turner as the pugilist Eddie and his ditzy girlfriend Mae who show they are definitely "Two of a Kind" and do it with tons of humor and sweetness. Leslie Wisdom as the lonely lesbian Madeline who killed with her hilarious lament to love. Bo Mellinger and James Sgambati as the flamboyant and incestuous D'Armano brothers couldn't be more sexily fun as they present their latest show to the producer at the party one minute and then the next ... well ... I mentioned the orgy, right? Let me just say, Oh My! And I have to mention a beautiful turn from the non singing Jackie played by Zandi Carlson as she has her own little sensual dream dance that could have been a break in the story but ended up speaking volumes with no words.

And the leads. These are four powerhouse performers. Smith lends a velvet smooth voice to the hero of the piece. And while his vocals were spot on, the confidence in his character took a bit to come to full flower. Not a bad character, just needs to amp up the commitment. Standley lends a kind of manic and unpredictable nature to Kate and sells the character and her various solos with zeal. And you could not ask for a more engaging couple than Spero and Wageman as it's very difficult to take your eyes off them. Beyond the fact that their voices punch the kind of stunning brilliance of Mr. James and Ms. Murney (of the original cast) but the arc and journey the two take throughout will invade your soul. Spero's duplicitous scheming mixed with her uncertainty of what she wants makes for an extremely fleshed out and intriguing character. And Wageman makes Burrs into a very layered yet volatile individual with some stunning moments of vulnerability.

With gorgeous sets and costumes from Richard Schaefer and Candace Frank, this production is a complete and utter winner. I was sincerely blown away by the piece and this will be the one for the season you will regret if you miss. And if you ever stop regretting it, I'll remind you so save me the trouble and do not miss it!

"The Wild Party" from Sound Theatre Company performs at the Seattle Center Armory through August 25th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.soundtheatrecompany.org.

Photo credit: Ken Holmes

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