“The Wild Party” (Andrew Lippa production) Monday, November 6, 2023
Book, lyrics, and music by Andrew Lippa Presentation: 6:30 – 7:15 p.m., Krannert Room
Directors Danny Yoerges and Rachel Rizzuto Performance: begins at 7:30 p.m., Tryon Festival Theatre
Conductor Julie Jordan Gunn
A steamy prohibition tale, steamrolling and roaring its way across the stage, Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party was an Off-Broadway gem that garnered an array of industry accolades, including Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Obie awards. Based on Joseph Moncure March's 1928 narrative poem of the same name, this darkly brilliant show features one of the most exciting, pulse-racing scores ever written.
Lovers Queenie and Burrs decide to throw the party-to-end-all-parties in their New Orleans row house. After the colorful arrival of a slew of guests living life on the edge, Queenie's wandering eyes land on a striking man named Black. As the decadence is reaching a climax, so is Burrs' jealousy, which erupts and sends him into a violent rage. Gun in hand and inhibitions abandoned, Burrs turns on Queenie and Black. The gun gets fired, but who's been shot?
**This performance contains sexual content and violence, and is intended for mature audiences only.**
**If registration is full, email chp@illinois.edu to be added to the waitlist.**