Daniel Mata | Staff Writer
This fall, the Riverside City College Student Performing Arts Department brings you “The Wild Party,” a 1928 musical written and composed by Andrew Lippa, directed by Jodi Julian.
Having competed in local Inland theater festivals and even the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, with more than 80 groups, RCC’s Student Performing Arts department have always come out on top.
Based on a narrative poem written by Joeseph Moncure March, “the Wild Party” takes place in 1928. A vaudeville couple, Queenie and Burrs, appear to be the perfect match but after years of abuse and distrust, Queenie puts together a party that will make Burrs pay.
Invited to the party, among other wild characters, is Kate, a former prostitute and Queenie’s longtime rival. Tagging along Kate is Mr. Black, a strapping young gentleman. In a twisted turn of events, Mr. Black confesses his profound love and dedication to Queenie and the two begin to have sex as the party progresses into an orgy. When Burrs finds the pair, he becomes enraged and pulls out a gun, but Queenie manages to calm him down and the two embrace in true love. Mr. Black then grabs the gun and shoots Burrs dead.
After Burrs is dead and Black is gone, Queenie is left in tragedy.
Playing the part of Queenie is Audra Brown who says, “‘The Wild Party’ is going to be a difficult show to do but I’m very excited to see it all come together.”
After realizng sports wasn’t right for her, Brown quit her softball team and auditioned for the school musical during her junior year of high school. She has since been involved in multiple theatre productions, and now holds the principle role in RCC’s latst fall production.
Ashtin Loya, a two year RCC student, portrays the role of Mr. Black, Queenie’s love interest. Ashtin has decided that his major is musical theater and has plans to obtain his bachelor’s degree at Cal State University of Fullerton.
New to the theatre program this year is Renay Deharo. “I’m so excited to get started on the choreography,” said Deharo. “I love the 1920s and to see how that is going to be incorporated into the dances is going to be a lot of fun.”
Having played Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” and The Oogey Boogey Man in the “the Nightmare Before Christmas,” the performing arts program made the right choice in adding Renay to the ensemble.
Performance dates are Nov. 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 8 p.m.
Tickets for “The Wild Party” are on sale now. All tickets for students are $10 with a limit of one per ID. If you are not an RCC student but want to watch the show, tickets are $15 until Nov. 7. After Nov. 7. prices will raise to $20.
Don’t miss your chance to attend the Wild Party this Fall.
