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Life Of The Party: A Celebration Of The Songs Of Andrew Lippa
Menier Chocolate Factory
Reviewed on Friday 30th May 2014
The title of the Chocolate Factory's latest show The Life Of The Party comes from Andrew Lippa's most famous work The Wild Party. The American, though Leeds-born, musical theatre composer's work is showcased during the evening's celebration of his oeuvre.
The show has a stellar cast and some incredible performances. The biggest treat of the night, though, isn't Menier favourite Damian Humbly, MT royalty Caroline O'Connor or second sister of the Strallen dynasty, Summer - all of whom do a fantastic job, but Lippa himself. Who knew the composer could sing so ably and put himself across so well? From the offset the audience are left in no doubt that the star of this show is the composer and impressive catalogue of work.
Lippa's writing, at its best, bursts with rhythm, humour, colour and passion and much of that is present here: from the painful & conversational recitative of 'Love Somebody Now', via the recognisable family dynamics of 'Little League' from his first-produced show to the imploring encouragement of 'I Do What I Do' from his most current work in-development. Lippa has that rare gift of writing songs you can feel inside of you: their accompaniment pounds in your chest whilst their words spin around in your head - for three minutes you are submerged in the character's world.
Though, for me, the material from Broadway show Big Fish falls a little flat, every other song permeates or provokes, with numbers from the The Wild Party, most effectively showcasing the composer's genius. Incredible harmonies, surprising melodies and infectious rhythm, this section had the first night house in ecstasy, with O'Connors hilariously droll rendition of 'An Old-Fashioned Love Story' particularly rabble-rousing; the audience stamping their feet in delight.
The show is well directed by David Babani whose slick staging lends fluidity to the proceedings, with orchestras and grand pianos appearing from here, there and everywhere to superb theatrical effect.
My personal highlight was a piece from I Am Harvey Milk, a recent oratorio that premiered in the US on the same day that gay marriage became federally recognised. Lippa told us that the entire piece is being reprised at the LA's Walt Disney concert hall later this year and jokingly invited us to book our fights now. On the strength of this number and Friday night's show, I might just do that.
Reviewed by Jody Tranter
Life Of The Party: A Celebration Of The Songs Of Andrew Lippa runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until Saturday 14th June 2014.
Photo Credit: Alastair Muir
Reviewed by Jody Tranter
Life Of The Party: A Celebration Of The Songs Of Andrew Lippa runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until Saturday 14th June 2014.
Photo Credit: Alastair Muir
I went to watch this production and loved it, bought one of the CDs to take a taste of the music away with me I bought the "Big Fish" Audio CD which I now love the words and music and sentiment of the whole thing I wish I had bought more of the CDs but didn't, thinking I could buy the others on line cheaper - how wrong I was.
ReplyDeleteI though the snippets I saw of meny musicals in this production were all different but over all had a dangerous cuddley musical charm which were contagious thought provoking and uplifting. The cast with him were spell binding. I loved it.
The Menier Chocolate Factory was a wonderful small friendly venue.