Chicago Warning! Do not miss Pirate Queen!

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

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!!

"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

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

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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.

"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!!

"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).

" 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.

"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.

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

"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.

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

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