You only have until March 29 to experience “The Wild Party” with Encores! at New York City Center on W. 55th Street. The production based on the Joseph Moncure March poem, features a book by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe and music and lyrics by LaChiusa, is being directed by Lili-Anne Brown (LB) and it is promising to be fabulous. It stars Jasmine Amy Rogers as Queenie and Jordan Donica as Burrs. The couple is hosting one of their wild parties that spirals out of control. Brown recently took the time during rehearsals to speak with the AmNews and talk about this classic musical and her approach to it. A Q&A follows.
AmNews: Ms. Brown, as a director and actor you have worked on some of the greatest works to ever hit the stage including “Two Trains Running,” “Dreamgirls,” “The Hot Wing King,” “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “Ain’t No Mo’,” “FELA!,” “The Color Purple,” “Dessa Rose,” “Passing Strange,” “The Wiz,” I could go on and on. What attracted you to directing “The Wild Party” for Encores! at New York City Center?
LB: I discovered the source material, Joseph Moncure March’s poem, in 1995 when the Art Spiegelman-illustrated version was published. I have been intrigued by the story since then. I produced the Chicago premiere of “The Wild Party” in 2015. I was supposed to direct it, but had to hire another director because of season logistics. So, this has been a long time coming.
AmNews: Why did the Harlem Renaissance salon culture and figures inspire you for this production?
LB: By far, the most interesting parties happening during this time period were happening at A’lelia Walker’s house, which was dubbed “the Dark Tower.” These parties attracted a fascinating mix of people from all walks of life. The glitterati of Harlem rubbed elbows with downtown artists and socialites. If I were to go to a party in 1928, that’s where I’d want to go.
AmNews: How were you able to assemble the all-star cast power that you have for this production — Jasmine Amy Rogers, Jordan Donica, Tonya Pinkins, Adrienne Warren, Jelani Alladin, and all the other incredible talents that have been bought together?
LB: I asked and they said yes! I feel so incredibly fortunate that they were all available.
AmNews: What is the creative give-and-take process like with so many talented thespians?
LB: Casting great people is always half the battle of creating a great show. This process, which only allows us 10 real rehearsals, would be impossible without actors who come in extremely prepared and bring a lot of ideas to the table. It’s also amazing to have living authors to consult, especially when it’s Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe!
AmNews: What is the vibe going to be like for this musical production?
LB: Sexy, dark, and dangerous.
Jasmine Amy Rogers and Jordan Donica in “The Wild Party” at New York City Center. (Joan Marcus photo)
AmNews: How relevant is this story of Blacks dealing with identity, race and survival in American entertainment, especially under what is currently happening in this country?
LB: This is a story about the lies we tell ourselves and others, the performance of identity, the masks we wear and what happens when the mask slips. It’s not a play about race, but the decision to cast Black actors as Queenie and Burrs, the hosts of the party, does bring race [and colorism] into the conversation in a very interesting way. I have been obsessed with Bert Williams for a long time and I am always surprised (I guess I shouldn’t be) that more people don’t know who he is. In a story about a blackface performer, I think the stakes become very different when it’s a Black man forced to perform in blackface.
AmNews: The musical has music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa and a book by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe. What is the pressure you feel when directing a production by such incredibly gifted talents?
LB: There is no special pressure. I want to do justice to the material of every show that I direct. Thankfully, [World] and [LaChiusa] are very generous with their guidance and insight.
AmNews: What is your greatest challenge in directing this production?
LB: Staging a party, with 15 principals doing 15 different things in real time, with no breaks or leaving the stage, is incredibly intricate work. Doing it with only 10 rehearsals is damn near mission impossible. And the score is also extremely intricate. So, this is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done!
AmNews: Why should people make plans to see it?
LB: This show is rarely done. This may be your only chance to ever hear this glorious score and be thrilled [and a little freaked out] by this story.
AmNews: What message do you want audiences to walk away with?
LB: I don’t know about a “message,” but I hope audiences feel titillated, amused, shocked, scared, disgusted and devastated. And curious about the art of the time period and Michael John LaChiusa’s musicals!
For tickets visit nycitycenter.org.
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