PIRATE QUEEN take 2

[queenbee2]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 12:24pm

Again, I will TRY not to give away too much plot or specifics. I'll do my best.

Seeing the show from the 11th row center was a very different experience for me than from way up in the balcony the night before. Reminded me why I always try to save my money for better seats. I felt much more "a part" of the play.

I didn't notice many changes from Preview 1. One of the ensemble members told me (while signing my 2nd playbill- I know, I'm a geek) that they had reworked the opening number of Act 2 that day, and made it a bigger dance number, but weren't ready to put it in just yet. So that is coming. Other than that the show was pretty much the same as the night before, so I got a good chance to see the good and the bad.

The good- The performances are remarkably good. Every role seems so well cast. Steph was even more into her part last night, singing so beautifully. Hadley's voice is crazy good, and his acting is so simple and grounded. Marcus gives an impressively powerful performance in both voice and character, and Jeff and William are just terrific in their roles. Linda is so stunning as Queen Elizabeth, and as I've said, has a glorious soprano. But it is just so hard to get what she is saying. A clear flaw in the show is that her material is simply too high to understand, and I realized last night even more than the night before that what she is saying is SO IMPORTANT and I WANT TO HEAR IT! I have to assume that the creators are well aware of this fact, as everyone around me was in agreement. Especially dad. But she looks amazing, has created a strong character and clearly has a wonderful instrument.

The set was just as impressive up close, and the costumes are going to blow people away. I would say definite Tony noms for both set and costumes. I also would expect a few of the performers to be recognized for their impressive work (especially Hadley (lead), Steph (lead) and Marcus (featured)). All of the leads are terrific.

The ensemble sounded even better closer up, and I got a good look at some of the real hotties up there. Never hurts to have some eye candy (I hope I didn't just negate the validity of my review).

The bad-
The show is too long. There are huge chunks of scenes that just sit still. Like I said yesterday, momentum builds and builds, then we sit. If the pace of this show is picked up, I think they would be in a remarkably better place. We get sucked into the story and want to go for the ride, but are just given to much time to sit and wait.

The opening number could be better. It is close! But it doesn't quite grab you (at least me) melodically. I'm not sure what's missing, but as soon as you think it's going to grab you, it relents a bit.

I'd love a little more dancing. Not to say they should add dance numbers, but where there is room for dancing I'd like to see them let loose a little more. And even more (I can't believe I'm saying this) Irish dancing. It's great, and we've never seen it incorporated in a Broadway show. Give us a bit more.

Again, diction. There is a lot of exposition in this show and we need to get the words to stay connected to the story. This isn't just with Elizabeth, but just a general observation.

Donal's first number, Boys Will Be Boys, isn't quite there yet, and it could be a show stopper. It comes at just the right place in the show, about half an hour in when we need something exciting to happen, and much like the opening number, right when you think it's going to explode into something exciting, it just ends. It's clear that the audience is loving it, but then it's almost like the rug is pulled out from under us. We want/need a little more.

The funeral- it's too long. Get to it. Beautiful singing, but by the end of it, we just want the guy (I won't say who) to die.

End of the show- We need something stronger. Right now it seems to just wrap up very quickly. It lacks the emotional punch I think it needs/deserves.

There are still transitions that are way too slow (at one point Tiernan just sits on stage for about 2 minutes with NOTHING happening), and the material with the court of England isn't really landing. But as I've said, what doesn't work is so clear I would think/hope the creators are on it.

I believe at this point the show is a masterpiece watiting to happen. It's not there yet, but has unlimited potential to be great. Let's hope they use their time in the Windy City wisely and deliver a great product to NYC.

A quick/great trip with dad that I will not soon forget. Now it's time to start saving for my tickets when the show comes back to NY.

Good luck pirates. You're close.

-qb

[outovfashion07]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 12:40pm

How long did it run?

[AugustBurns2]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 1:02pm

Thank you for another great review!

I am happy that you posted another review from your orchestra seats. I knew it would be a different experience from the balcony.

I am sure that there will be so many changes in its future.

You're so lucky to see the show at this point. I think it's facsinating to see it now and then in the future to see where the changes will take place.

[IsntItRich]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 1:24pm

I was there last night too. I was in row H, dead center Orchestra. Great seats.
I agree with all you say in your great review queenbee2.
outovfashion07 - the show ran about 2 1/2 hours.
The ensemble sounds beautiful and powerful; its almost 30 members strong. Everybody has a voice. Give them more dancing… work on the stage fighting… especially on the all important sound of the swords hitting each other. And especially the first time we see Grace sword fight. We should feel afraid, like "Jesus, are those swords really that heavy and dangerous?" Eugene Lee has made wonderful sets for everybody to inhabit. Previews should give everyone time to get comfortable up there; like they are at home in the rigging, above the sea… Stephanie is very good. Sounds great and her performance is grounded and already seems solid. As is Hadley. Linda B. made the show for me. Her singing as Eliz is spectacular and very operatic. I think it’s clearly a Boublil and Schönberg character choice so I don't know if they will lower it for her. I hope the masses appreciate what she is accomplishing. She looks perfect. Good foil to Stephanie's earthy Grace. Linda’s characterization is already grounded and honest as well…Maybe, at the end, let Steph sing opera style (she clearly can) and let Linda belt; as if the two women have given parts of themselves to each other... I dunno, who am I?… which leads me to the Les Miz comparisons. It comes way to close to Les Miz with Pirates. Made me giggle more than a few times. There is time to clean up the pacing issues, and the length. Mr Galati needs to tighten up the ends of beats and to decide when and if he wants the audience to applaud.
Glad I went. Don’t know if I’ll go back though, unless drastic changes are made. Its fun to think of them creating this piece here in Chicago. Its also great fun to see all that money on the stage!

[ken8631]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 1:52pm

I hope people from the show (someone at least) reads these reviews - they look extremely helpful!

I'm going when it comes to NYC, and am hoping they are paying attention! But that's what previews are for - making it better than it already is!

A Big Steph Fan

[kaycee]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 3:46pm

Thank you for posting another review. I wasn't sure if I should read these before I see the show on Saturday, but I cannot resist temptation. Now having read some reviews, I am both excited to see it, and a little afraid that I will be disappointed...

[SayitSomehow]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 4:34pm

i effing adore you guys for posting these reviews!

delicious, i ate 'em up

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/5/06 at 6:56pm

Thanks so much for these reviews - they're great!

I love that in most of these PQ reviews, almost everyone mentions how much potential the show has and that is exactly what these preview shows are for. I do hope that someone who saw one of these opening shows will be going again at the end of PQ's Chicago run and will be able to give us a comparison about things that were changed, if kinks originally seen were worked out, and whether things work better at the end of the run. I'll be seeing the show more than once but, probably both times later in the run, so I won't be able to compare how much they've grown from the beginning. Can't wait!

[Popular]

Posted: 10/6/06 at 3:20pm

Just noticing this thread... thanks again for the reviews! :)

[Sally]

Posted: 10/6/06 at 8:55pm

Thanks for the review! I have tickets for November 9 and hope that they get the show tightened and those diction problems fixed by then. I think I'm going to like it!

[Popular]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:55am

Check out today's CASTCOM. It's almost like they're answering us back and saying, "We hear you guys, and we're working on it!"