Chicago Warning! Do not miss Pirate Queen!

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 10:51pm

I missed Piazza, Death of a Salesman and others!

Do not miss this wonderful production. It is gorgeous! From the "Irish" sounding overture until the closing tableau, the artists in this production have created a stunning story! I love this show! Do not miss it!

Updated On: 10/30/06 at 10:51 PM

[bardolator]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 5:52am

Did you go to opening night, then? More details, please?

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:26am

From the Irish overture

Anyone with a drop of Irish blood in them could tell you there is NOTHING truly Irish about the overture. It's "wanna be" Irish which is the worst kind!!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:45am

I thought Brdlwyr was going to warn people not to miss it because it may be your only chance to EVER see it.
You seem to be the only one who feels that way. See the review thread.

Updated On: 10/30/06 at 09:45 AM

[elf2]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 10:49am

"Anyone with a drop of Irish blood in them could tell you there is NOTHING truly Irish about the overture. It's "wanna be" Irish which is the worst kind!!"

Sorry, I gotta ask this... just HOW Irish are you and what exactly do you think makes an Irish overture?

My family are Irish (and no, I don't just mean they have an Irish name!) and I was indoctrinated with everything Irish from birth. The overture *sounds* Irish. I've heard Irish music that sounds like this.

Can't help but think that the only wannabe Irish thing here is you me fella.
Updated On: 10/30/06 at 10:49 AM

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:03am

I've got a few drops of Irish blood in me as well, lads.

I think Julian Kelly has done a wonderful job orchestrating and arranging The Pirate Queen score, and they've got an amazing band there. Not only that, but thanks to Jonathan Deans' first rate sound design you can actually hear what these foks playing. Never mind the actors, the harpist and pipe/whistle player are worth the price of admission.

While I've had quite a few negative things to say about the show's book and score, the Irish music is one of The Pirate Queen's greatest assets.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:11am

How about what sounds like electric guitar riffs that seem to have been borrowed from the Jesus Christ Superstar score?

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:19am

Sue, I did notice the guitar riffs, but I thought it blended well.

Wow, I did not mean to stir up green blood. I think that it is reasonable to refer to the overture as "Irish."

And, you can ask my wife, I am indeed "Irish."

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:20am

My family are Irish (and no, I don't just mean they have an Irish name!) and I was indoctrinated with everything Irish from birth. The overture *sounds* Irish. I've heard Irish music that sounds like this.

Yeah in Riverdance. Ever been to a Ceilidh? I assure you that sort of music would be laughed off the floor. The Overture does not "sound" irish. It sounds like Prottie Irish, which is a TOTALLY different sound. I wouldnt be surprised if there were a bunch of scottish bagpipes in the pit. I know someone said they have one uehlein in the pit. At least they got one thing right.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:28am

Hmm, I have never been to Ireland and am not an expert or even a novice on "Irish" music. (See my edit)

I do hate those stupid drinking songs sung at bars on St. Patrick's Day. However, Gaelic Storm rocks!

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:32am

"Sorry, I gotta ask this... just HOW Irish are you and what exactly do you think makes an Irish overture? "

I didnt say I was an expert on Irish Overtures. I said this particular one does NOT sound like TRUE Irish music. It sounds like that Riverdance crap people have been taught to think is Irish music.

You're Irish? How much?

Tá loinnir i súile na nGael!!

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:32am

Why are you criticizing one of the few things this show has managed to do well? Keeping the Irish dance music authentically Irish is something these producers have taken seriously, and it's also one of the few things they seem to have a handle on how to accomplish. Julian Kelly, the arranger and orchestrator, is a native of Ireland and so are several of the musicians in the band.

When I saw the show I peaked into the pit during the intermission to compliment the musicians. The guy who plays the pipes, Kieran O'Hare, is a native of Chicago but is a part of Chicago's vibrant Irish music scene. You can be sure that there are NO Scottish bagpipes in that pit. (Are you trying to start a blood feud or something?)

[bardolator]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:35am

"I wouldnt be surprised if there were a bunch of scottish bagpipes in the pit. I know someone said they have one uehlein in the pit. At least they got one thing right."

I'm a bit of a Heinz 57 myself, but the majority of the mix--on both sides--is Scots and Irish. There is apparently an Irish harp as well as a more "classical" one in the pit, a bodhrain, and, yes, the pipes are Irish, not Scottish. I say this as someone who learned to play the Scottish pipes years ago; the sound is entirely different.

They never said it was an authentic period piece; this isn't meant to be TO HELL AND BACK, with its Baroque instruments. They promised a blend of sounds, including Irish and rock, and it sounds like they've delivered just that (whether the music is successful or not is another issue).

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:36am

I'm just sick of people always thinking this kind of music is the end all of Irish culture because it's not.

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:40am

" Julian Kelly, the arranger and orchestrator, is a native of Ireland and so are several of the musicians in the band."

That doesnt mean anything. Ever been to Ireland? The south? Talk to the people down there. Ask them how they feel about the English influence on their culture. What it has done. How it is responsible for these flashy riverdance type of shows. I do like Riverdance, dont get me wrong but I in NO WAY associate it with the dancing of Irelan. Especially the Ceilidh dances (although Riverdance did have ONE great segment on that). I took stepdancing for 14 years. I love it. Just hate the way these producers make it look so cheezy.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:43am

Thanks for the push Brdlwyr-- I have been meaning to see it but...you know...things always get pushed back. I'll get my tickets today!

And I can certainly understand the passionate feelings for Irish Music! I think the Irish should be as proud of their music as the British are of their cuisine.

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:44am

"And I can certainly understand the passionate feelings for Irish Music! I think the Irish should be as proud of their music as the British are of their cuisine."

Normally that would piss me off but that was pretty funny.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:53am

I'd hoped everyone would appreciate it as merely a smart-ass witticism!

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:55am

The food in England is getting better btw. You just need to know where to go.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:57am

I actually like Britsh food! Fish & chips & peas, Scotch Eggs, Bangers & Mash, Toad in the hole, Spotted Dick, I love 'em all.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:58am

"I do like Riverdance, dont get me wrong but I in NO WAY associate it with the dancing of Irelan."

Are there any recordings you can recommend? Seriously, I'm always glad to get a chance to be exposed to something good.

This show has been promoted as "Riverdance meets Les Mis". To my ears, they've got the "Riverdance" part of it right, but little up there is worthy of being compared to Les Mis.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 12:00pm

"The food in England is getting better btw. You just need to know where to go"

Yeah. France or Italy!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 12:00pm

So where would Finnian's Rainbow fit on the Irish Music scale?

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 12:01pm

Are there any recordings you can recommend? Seriously, I'm always glad to get a chance to be exposed to something good.

If you are being serious I would recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Riverdance-Music-Show-Eoghan-ONeill/dp/B0007KIGJK/sr=1-2/qid=1162227648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-6680739-0660841?ie=UTF8&s=music

My cousin starred in the show. She is a brilliant dancer. Most of them are.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 12:19pm

There are many shops in Chicago that sell excellent bangers and various puddings. I love the black pudding, so disgusting and so tasty!