Posted: 9/16/08 at 7:26pm
Sorry it has taken me so long to do this, but I am still adjusting to class here. So after being a fan of the flawed but fun Pirate Queen, I felt I had to see Marguerite following this team of writers. This could have been a hit musical that brought audiences to tears. However, what we are left with is a show with gorgeous sets, some truly beautiful songs with wonderful orchestrations, and some god awful dialogue. Every time one of the characters started speaking, I began to wince for what was to come.
The cast was truly giving it their all at the Wednesday Matinee I was at. Ruthie Henshall did an incredible job given a rather flat leading role. Boubil and Schonberg seem to be very good at giving leading ladies great parts in failed musicals. Ruthie doesn't quite top Stephanie J. Block (in my opinion), but she certainly gives it her all. Yet for me the star was Julian Ovenden who has a truly incredible voice. His jazz piano scene early on in act one was a highlight.
Gay Soper's Paris in act two was fantastic. She personally reminded of Edith Piaf, really bringing the stage alive with a small role.
The show really deserves fault with the book, for creating an Evita-esque show around a herione who we really don't care for. I truly felt nothing during the final scenes though I did love the staging. This looked and sounded like an expensive show, but sadly all the money poured in fell pretty flat. Gorgeous sets, music, and fantastic performances don't really matter if the audience can't connect, and I certainly couldn't. I wanted to, but I just couldn't.
Overall, I am glad I saw it, but honestly (and this is saying something) I preferred the Pirate Queen better as their flops go by. I do have the soundtrack and will probably be listen to it more than I care to admit. 
(Miles better than Rain Man).
Updated On: 9/16/08 at 07:26 PM
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