GORHAM — Decadence rules in the University of Southern Maine School of Music’s production of “The Wild Party,” a musical by Andrew Lippa, which opens in its Maine premiere on Nov. 19 in Corthell Concert Hall on the Gorham campus. The 2000 Off-Broadway musical, adapted from a poem, offers a tale of love and redemption, set during the roaring 1920s.

Queenie, a vaudeville dancer, and Burrs, a stage clown, are a high-living couple whose relationship is marked by reckless behavior. When the couple decides to throw a party to end all parties in their Manhattan apartment, they invite a host of characters that revel in the fashions, affectations and habits of the jazz era. After Burrs and Queenie purposely set out to make the other jealous, emotions erupt and lives are changed forever.

Andrew Lippa’s book, music and lyrics were inspired by Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 book-length poem, “The Wild Party,” which was deemed profane by the public at the time. The work fell into obscurity for 70 years until an artist, Art Spiegelman, found an original edition of the book and published an illustrated version of the poem in 1999.

Rylee Doiron (Wilton), Jeremiah Haley (Portland), and Kyle Dennis (Pittsfield) portray the roles of Queenie, Burrs, and Black respectively; Kelly Mosher (Marstons Mills, Mass.) plays Kate. Rounding out the cast of colorful characters are Justin Adams (Limerick), Daniel Beede (Rowley, Mass.), Melissa Bell, Shannon Connell (Bradford, Mass.), Christopher Ellis (Litchfield), Sarah Flagg (Hampden), Carolyn Glaude (Topsham), Caleb Lacy (Durham), Edward Mawere, Jimmy McDonald (Gorham), Calvin Moisan (Raymond), Matthew Morey (South Portland), Hannah Perry, Hillary Perry, Kurt Perry (Falmouth), Jericah Potvin (Millinocket), and Joseph Sibley (Boothbay Harbor).

Lippa’s original and award-winning score pays homage to the rhythms and innovations of the jazz era. More than 20 tunes drive this tale of out-of-control passion. Lippa was recently nominated for a Tony Award for his score to the current Broadway hit “The Addams Family.”

Edward Reichert, director, also serves as the play’s musical director and will conduct the production’s octet of live musicians. “I’ve been waiting 10 years to do a production of this musical. It’s musically very sophisticated and the mature subject matter makes it a challenging choice for us to produce after last year’s smash hit with ‘Spelling Bee.’ The score is one of the most exciting new works written in the last decade and the students just love it,”reichert said. Newcomer to Maine and USM is Kelly Fantigrossi who is the choreographer. Travis Grant serves as costume designer.

The “Wild Party” contains violence, sexual content and language, and is not suitable for children. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Nov. 19 and  20, and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21. Tickets cost $15 general admission, $10 USM employees and seniors, and $5 students/children, and can be purchased by contacting the Music Box Office at 780-5555. Sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution.