Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama will produce the Broadway musical "The Wild Party," a dark, sensuous and glittering production by George C. Wolfe and new composer Michael John LaChiusa.

"The Wild Party" is one of two new musicals based on the 1928 Joseph Moncure March poem of the same name. "The Wild Party" evokes the innocence and decadence that is part of a single night of partying by a crowd of colorful guests who show up to get wild and play some dangerous games.

"The opportunity to re-visit this brave and arresting piece composed by one of the most important new voices in the American musical theatre was irresistible," said Elizabeth Bradley, head of the School of Drama. "In guest director Kent Gash, the School of Drama has found a creative and skilled interpreter of this demanding and rewarding material. We are looking forward to a significant evening in the theatre."

Gash, the associate artistic director of The Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, has staged productions of "Shakespeare's R&J" and "Pacific Overtures" (co-produced at the Cincinnati Playhouse) and has directed "A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur" by Tennessee Williams. Most recently, he directed the off-Broadway world-premiere musical "Call the Children Home" for Primary Stages. Gash has served on the faculty of the University of California at Los Angeles, American Conservatory Theatre and Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College program.

Gash is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Melting Pot Theatre Co. in New York City and the Non-Traditional Casting Project. Born and raised in Denver, Colo., Gash is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon and the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.

"The Wild Party" previews April 22, 2004, and runs from April 23 to May 1. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 8 p.m. and Saturday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office or by phone at 412-268-2407.

The School of Drama is one of the nation's most distinguished degree-granting programs and is one of five schools within Carnegie Mellon's College of Fine Arts. The College of Fine Arts is a community of nationally and internationally recognized artists and professionals organized into: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama and Music, and their associated centers and programs.

Eric Sloss