Prohibition’s excesses spill over in musical ‘Wild Party’

It’s the height of Prohibition, and the party is raging at Burrs and Queenie’s place.

But that’s not all that is raging in the Modern Theater Spokane’s production of Andrew Lippa’s 2000 award-winning musical. Tempers flare, passions rise, and the booze keeps flowing.

Based on a 1928 epic poem by Joseph Moncure March, “The Wild Party” is about two people drawn together by sex and violence who find their lives torn apart by the same.

Queenie (Quinn Vaira) is a vaudevillian, as gorgeous as she is damaged. She’s drawn to men who aren’t very nice to her, and Burrs (Daniel McKeever), a professional clown, fits that bill. They meet as the play starts and instantly find a sexual connection. Three years later, however, Burrs’ penchant for violence has Queenie worried. She thinks a party might be what they need to rekindle the heat.

Their friends start filing in: Madeline, the lesbian (Abbey Crawford), Eddie, the boxer (Nicholas Bailey), and his dim girlfriend Mae (Aubree Peterson), a hooker named Dolores (Briane Green), Nadine “the minor” (Lili Gorman), and the d’Armondo brothers (Mario Zavala and Robert Garcia). Soon Kate (Alyssa Day) arrives with a friend in tow, Mr. Black (Jordan Taylor). Queenie is instantly smitten with this handsome newcomer, and Kate, who always had an eye for Burrs, sees her chance. But Burrs isn’t one to let things go, and the tension among the four of them slowly builds toward a devastating ending.

This sung-through musical features a Jazz Age soundtrack most ably conducted by music director Zachariah Baker. The singing across the board is pitch perfect. Vaira, last seen as Sherrie in the ’80s rock musical “Rock of Ages” at the Modern Coeur d’Alene, is especially notable. Her voice is much better suited to the material in “The Wild Party” than it was in “Rock of Ages.” McKeever, who was delightful as Lonny in “Rock of Ages,” is a wholly different character here. His voice is big and brash, and his physicality is imposing. He is one scary clown.

As Mr. Black, Taylor is the opposite of Burrs. He’s long and lean, romantic and charming to the core. It’s easy to see why Queenie falls for him. And as Kate, Day puts it all out there, whether she’s slyly tucking a flask into her cleavage or practically begging Burrs to take her. Her big voice is a perfect match for this brassy character.

The supporting cast is also strong. Theater veteran Crawford brings the place down with “An Old-Fashioned Love Story,” about Madeline’s unsuccessful quest for a woman to love. And Green very nearly steals a couple scenes by merely acting very, very drunk. She’s a hoot to watch.

In terms of cast size, this is certainly the largest show to be on that stage in many years, if ever. And the room handles it quite nicely. Director/choreographer Troy Nickerson does a great job making best use of the expanded stage area and keeping the 19-person cast from tripping over each other.

Now, about all that sex. The day after I saw “The Wild Party,” a friend texted me and asked if the play would be controversial, whether it would have Spokane clutching its collective pearls. My reply? Those predisposed to be shocked when adults act like adults might blush. But anyone else who has watched HBO in the past 20 years, or gone to the movies, or even checked out a Nicki Minaj video on YouTube, will see nothing scandalous here. There are few curse words and some suggestive dancing. Nickerson and the creative team made the second act “orgy” rather tasteful and artfully lit.

Those looking for controversy? Well, there’s really nothing to see here. Those looking for a well-done dose of entertainment for grown ups? Check out “The Wild Party.”