Grade: B+
I don't know whether I'm more impressed by the fact that a community theater group has chosen to stage “The Wild Party” or by the fact that they've done it so well.
The Seneca Community Players' production of Andrew Lippa's critically praised musical is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But for those who don't mind a healthy slug of bathtub gin in that tea, this is an ambitious and largely successful piece of adult - I repeat, adult - entertainment.
“The Wild Party” features casual drug use, casual sex, a fair dose of profanity, serious alcohol abuse and substantial violence.
Pam Rapoza's direction and choreography are superb. The play has a pulse, a cadence that sends the main characters marching toward catastrophe, and Rapoza never lets it flag. Her staging is impeccable and the dances are evocative, provocative and well-executed. There is unity, honesty and focus throughout.
Rae Stanley (Queenie) and Nick Bessette (Burrs) are excellent as a pair of vaudevillians whose love has begun to sour. Stanley gives a courageous performance, heartfelt and fragile and pseudo-tough, demonstrating enormous charm and presence with a powerful, expressive voice.
Bessette is equally good, delivering a power house performance - sure, expressive and unpredictable. With the entrance of Emily Swenson as their friend, Kate, and her new beau, Mr. Black (R.J. Rapoza), the edge of this razor-sharp story is honed, and the wheels of tragedy are set in motion.
Swenson owns every scene she's in. Her work in “Look at Me Now” and “The Life of the Party” are worth the price of admission. Rapoza has long been one of the area's best actors, and his turn as the mysterious Black can only enhance that reputation. Margaret Griffin, Laura D. Feligno and Jeb Albro shine in supporting roles, and Tricia Mooneyham and Lorelei Canne stand out in an excellent chorus.
Dewey Fleszar does a terrific job with the musical direction and the fabulous orchestra, conducted by Annie Bachman. Joe O'Toole designed the striking black and white set, and Ralph Sinicropi's sound design is flawless. The lighting is very well designed, though there is no direct credit in the program, AErin and Kristen Lanphear provide great period costumes.
See paragraph three and leave the children home.
If you go
What: “The Wild Party”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Delavan Theater on the campus of the New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls
Cost: $10, $12 at the door
For details: Call 568-9364 or visit www.SenecaCommunityPlayers.org
Tickets: Available at Area Records and Music, Geneva; Woman Made Products, Seneca Falls
The Seneca Community Players' production of Andrew Lippa's critically praised musical is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But for those who don't mind a healthy slug of bathtub gin in that tea, this is an ambitious and largely successful piece of adult - I repeat, adult - entertainment.
“The Wild Party” features casual drug use, casual sex, a fair dose of profanity, serious alcohol abuse and substantial violence.
Pam Rapoza's direction and choreography are superb. The play has a pulse, a cadence that sends the main characters marching toward catastrophe, and Rapoza never lets it flag. Her staging is impeccable and the dances are evocative, provocative and well-executed. There is unity, honesty and focus throughout.
Rae Stanley (Queenie) and Nick Bessette (Burrs) are excellent as a pair of vaudevillians whose love has begun to sour. Stanley gives a courageous performance, heartfelt and fragile and pseudo-tough, demonstrating enormous charm and presence with a powerful, expressive voice.
Bessette is equally good, delivering a power house performance - sure, expressive and unpredictable. With the entrance of Emily Swenson as their friend, Kate, and her new beau, Mr. Black (R.J. Rapoza), the edge of this razor-sharp story is honed, and the wheels of tragedy are set in motion.
Swenson owns every scene she's in. Her work in “Look at Me Now” and “The Life of the Party” are worth the price of admission. Rapoza has long been one of the area's best actors, and his turn as the mysterious Black can only enhance that reputation. Margaret Griffin, Laura D. Feligno and Jeb Albro shine in supporting roles, and Tricia Mooneyham and Lorelei Canne stand out in an excellent chorus.
Dewey Fleszar does a terrific job with the musical direction and the fabulous orchestra, conducted by Annie Bachman. Joe O'Toole designed the striking black and white set, and Ralph Sinicropi's sound design is flawless. The lighting is very well designed, though there is no direct credit in the program, AErin and Kristen Lanphear provide great period costumes.
See paragraph three and leave the children home.
If you go
What: “The Wild Party”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Delavan Theater on the campus of the New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls
Cost: $10, $12 at the door
For details: Call 568-9364 or visit www.SenecaCommunityPlayers.org
Tickets: Available at Area Records and Music, Geneva; Woman Made Products, Seneca Falls
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