Century-Old Banned Poem 'The Wild Party' Adapted for Stage at New York City Center

A stage adaptation of Joseph Moncure March's narrative poem 'The Wild Party' is being performed at New York City Center. The production, set in a 1920s New York apartment, depicts a raucous gathering with themes of sex, drugs, and violence. Originally written in 1926, the poem faced publication delays and was banned in 1928 due to its controversial content, including depictions of homosexuality and hedonism. Notable literary figures like Louis Untermeyer and William S. Burroughs praised its impact. In 1968, March released a censored version, but the original gained renewed attention with a 1994 illustrated edition by Art Spiegelman. The poem has been adapted into a 1975 film and two separate stage musicals in 2000 by Andrew Lippa and by Michael John LaChiusa with George C. Wolfe. The current staging features performers such as Jasmine Amy Rogers and Jordan Donica, highlighting the work's enduring cultural relevance.