Emcee on THE PIRATE QUEEN- Page 2

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:41am

"It's not exactly boring -- I was certainly entertained, if only for the wrong reasons."

Hi, em! This is the only thing I disagreed with in your review. I was ridiculously bored, although, granted, I saw it in Chicago before all the "improvements."

Brava on such a wonderful review! Watch your back for those "wacky" PQ defenders, though.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:45am

Hi! Thanks!

Some of it is boring, because it drags, but on the whole, I found a lot to keep me busy.

Updated On: 3/19/07 at 10:45 AM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:46am

The only thing I could think about during the show was, "Oh, my coccyx!" I'm actually not joking about that.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:57am

Well, in that case, I'm sorry you can't see the "improvements."

[misschung]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 12:35pm

Wacky is one thing, but I'm just not sure I understand why she's been made to look completely insane and crazy to the point that we're laughing at her. I worded the part you quoted poorly, I'm sorry. Her facial expressions were funny, several of her lines were funny -- the presence of funny material is not the issue. The issue is why. It's a big problem when you can't tell if you're laughing at something that's supposed to be serious because it's so bad that it's funny, or if it's actually supposed to be funny. Elizabeth I is one of the greatest, most respected rulers in all of history and one of history's most loved figures, female or not. The portrayal the show gives her didn't seem to fit that, to me. The costumes could (and should) have been beautiful; Elizabethan England was opulent and gorgeous, but instead they went so over-the-top to accentuate themselves that people were laughing, I can only assume doing so because she looked so outlandish. She was portrayed as weak and foolish, not dignified and strong.

Well, I think that the portrayal of Elizabeth in this light is supposed to be for comedic effect, because, let's face it, she's not exactly a beloved figure for Ireland.


Also, I don't understand why the creative team behind the show said their intention was to bring the "epic musical" back to Broadway. I mean I understand where they're coming from, because there haven't been that many in the past few years, but it hasn't been THAT long...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 12:37pm

No, she's not, and that is what I can assume they were aiming to get at, but it just... doesn't work. It's hard, because she's someone who we're not used to seeing in that light and who we don't easily grasp as comic relief material, but it seems like the cultural divide wasn't really accounted for, or something.

[misschung]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 12:43pm

Right, I see what you're saying. Making her seem that much of a caricature takes away from the political divide. I agree with what someone said before you about making her seem more like Dench's character in "Shakespeare in Love"

Also, it bothers me that the marquis thing from PQ resembles the one from Les Mis - but that might only be me. And it looks like something that would be used for Disney's Mulan.
I don't know, I feel like the show is a little bit too over the top in general, which sort of undermines the story. Granted, it's Broadway, but this is the same way I felt about the production of the Dead from a few years ago

[Tiny_Dancer]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 2:46pm

Ben, I guess I was mostly referring to Ikmbway. In her post, she basically says that aside from the sets, lighting and costumes, the show was unbearable. I feel, that sometimes, people on this board post just for the sake of posting. On that note, thank you for your comment, even though it wasn't directed at you.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 2:52pm

I'm gonna say that "unbearable," IMO, is too harsh a term. It's bad, but hardly the worst thing I've ever sat through, and I didn't really have a hard time sitting through it at that.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 2:53pm

Emcee - thanks for the review. Flawless as always. I agree with your observation about the portrayal of Elizabeth - I had expressed some reservations about the approach to that character on another thread - I am still deciding whether to check this out or not so I will have to reserve judgment until I decide.

OT - I figured you would update the avatar. Now spell what, dystopia?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 2:58pm

Thank you!

(d--y--s--o...p-t-i-a! ... hehe! If only I had the guts to tease him about it!)

Updated On: 3/19/07 at 02:58 PM

[sidjones09]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 3:04pm

In defense of Ikmbway. Although I don't know them, I am not surprised that someone might find this show unbearable. It came close to it for me. I already stated that unless they were step dancing, I was trying to keep myself awake.

I agree with you TinyDancer, that some people do post just to see their words on the internet and get a reaction, and if you read enough of someone's posts you can get a sense of who those people are. But sometimes I think we can be quick to judge people's opinions as exaggerations when maybe that is truly the way they feel.

It seems to be a common consensus on THIS thread that people didn't care for it, so I'm not surprised that someone may have felt a little more strongly about their dislike than most of us.

[Popular]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 3:47pm

Emcee - Thanks for taking the time to write your review. Even though I don't agree with a lot of your points, your points seem well thought out and don't come across (to me at least) as negative simply for the sake of being negative or malicious. I also appreciate that you make it clear this is YOUR point of view and not a conclusive generalization such as 'it sucks!" or "it's the best" as so many others have.

Watch your back for those "wacky" PQ defenders, though.

SorryGrateful - The people who are "defending" (I prefer the word "supporting") and liking the show have just as much of a right to their opinion as the ones who are JUST AS PASSIONATELY against it. There is no need to call us "wacky" and Emcee doesn't have to watch (oops sorry) HER back.
Updated On: 3/19/07 at 03:47 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 3:53pm

Her.

And thank you; I likewise appreciate it when someone disagrees graciously!

[Popular]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 4:05pm

I changed my posting. Sorry, sister!

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 4:40pm

Excellent review. I agree with about 99% of it!

[bschneid76]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 5:15pm

Emcee -- Your review hits the nail on the head. I got to see a preview of it and while I wasn't expecting anything terrific from what I had heard from Chicago, I was at least hoping the score would be better than it was. I kept turning to my friend saying "wait, wasn't this song in Les Mis, or isn't that the love song in Miss Saigon?" I found the dancing at times to be very distracting, even if the audience thunderously applauded. But I loved your review, and your curtains one as well.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 5:34pm

LOVE reading your reviews, Emcee. Always thought-out, very insightful, and detailed enough so that we feel you've really based your opinions in something substantial.

[carnimiriel]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 6:44pm

I think your points about the portrayal of Elizabeth I in PQ highlights one of the most cringe-worthy aspects of this production for me. Even taking into account that this may be the Irish perspective of her, I seriously doubt that they would have considered her wacky or comedic. Tyrannical and cruel perhaps. The thing is though, Elizabeth's achievements are a thing of historical record, but the caricature in PQ and her court of giggling male fops wouldn't strike the fear of God into anyone.

Other than that, I find that the biggest impression I have of the music/songs from PQ is that it seemed too literal. All the lyrics seemed to be along the lines of: I have to marry him. But I will love you always. And I will always be here. Stay strong for me. I will do anything for you. I have to go now. (Obviously not actual lyrics, but what it seems like to me.)

[Phantom2]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 7:55pm

Linda Balgord's performance should earn her a Tony nomination. Perhaps you should see beyond what you perceive Queen Elizabeth I to be, to realize what an amazing performance she gives.

[Tiny_Dancer]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 8:22pm

Sid... No need to defend. I couldn't care less if someone finds PQ unbearable. All I am saying is be consistent with your reviews. Don't just agree with the author of the thread.


https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=928285#2865510

See the post about 3/4 down.

Updated On: 3/19/07 at 08:22 PM

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 8:54pm

I hope I can write reviews like you do for my school paper next year Emcee; great job!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 9:00pm

My favorite lyric was "you are my daughter, through and through!"

Through and through as opposed to what?!

[Plum]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 9:02pm

Of course Elizabeth I can be funny...in Blackadder, as played by Miranda Richardson. Anyway, Em, thank you for the thoughtful, detailed review, and for saving me the trouble of wondering if I should look into attending this show.

[Tiny_Dancer]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 9:07pm

I can only guess that it means she has all of his traits and none of her mothers.