Well, it won't be moving to Broadway, but Manhattan Theatre Club's The Wild Party, the new musical by composer-lyricist-librettist Andrew Lippa, has proved popular enough to extend another week until April 9. The dark-edged tuner is also due to be recorded. The cast will gather in the studio a few days after the show closes.
Last week, producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum (Rent) reportedly said in a statement that they are "thrilled with the production, but it doesn't make sense to transfer to Broadway in the current environment."
The musical, drawn from the 1928 verse poem (of the same name) by Joseph Moncure March, got mixed reviews after its Feb. 24 opening at MTC's Stage I. Another musical version of the poem is being staged on Broadway beginning March 10 at the Virginia Theatre. Composer-lyricist and co-librettist Michael John LaChiusa collaborates with co-librettist and director George C. Wolfe for that show, also dubbed The Wild Party.
Brian d'Arcy James, Julia Murney, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel star in the pop-driven MTC tuner, set at a debauched Jazz Age party populated by corrupt vaudevillians, dancers, a pugilist, a predatory lesbian, songwriters and a mysterious playboy.
For tickets and information on MTC's Wild Party call (212) 581-1212.