PIRATE QUEEN thoughts- Page 3

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 1:24am

If you saw the show in Chicago and have yet to see it in NYC, you should have no opinion.


It is NOT even the same show, and I loved it in Chicago, and now I LOOOOOOOVE it more than I thought was possible :)


And according to Marcus on the March 8th, there are even more changes to come...

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 1:39am

"If that's the case, I don't think it's about needing a man to complete her, but more about what makes life worthwhile. What good is experiencing anything in life if you can't share the moments with others."

(Sorry to chop out just that paragraph, Popular - I would have cut and pasted the whole thing, but I thought it might be too long.)

As I've said, as long as the words are "a woman in love, it is she who has all," I don't think it can be interpreted another way. We can share our love with friends, family, coworkers (that's too modern a term, but I think you get what I mean), your community (all things Grace does in the show), but in this case/this song, the ultimate worth of a woman is placed on the romantic aspect of love. If they tweaked the lyrics and made it so that the message was more about communal/familial/etc love (all the other types of love Grace doesn't have) - heck, even if they changed the final message of the song to "a woman with love," I would be able to take their characters more seriously.

Anyway, this argument is just going in circles, and I think we're all starting to get dizzy from repeating ourselves. I guess we'll just have to see what happens during the rest of previews.

Tech - I thought "I'll Be There" was an angry man's song in Chicago. It reminded me very much of Jake's final section of "You Should Be Loved" from Side Show (especially "You will regret how you pushed love aside/when you're married to nothing/when you're misery's bride" and so on).

[Popular]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 2:06am

songanddanceman2 - thank you for being a little more specific with your reasoning. I still say that the feeling of being in the actual theatre can't be recreated in a recording but we'll just have to agree to disagree about that. And Tech, believe it or not, but even if a person claimed that it's the greatest piece of theatre they have ever seen off of a recording it would still be hard for me to take that praise as seriously as I would from the mouth of someone who had their butt in the seat. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy seeing recordings. It's not that I don't think you can form an idea about the show off of one, it's just that I have seen too many recordings of incredible people and shows for whom the recordings do no justice at all. That is why I greatly caution against using one to make an absolute FINAL decision.

commasplice - I hope you don't think I was arguing. I was just stating my opinion on how I took the song and what it meant to me at the time that I saw it. I can't comment on the lyrics or on the changes since I haven't seen/heard if it's been updated, but if those are the lyrics I can see where you are coming from. It does seem odd that this is the message. I find it hard to believe that is the point they are MEANING to get across. Guess we'll see if they clarify things before opening. And yes, Tech, I agree that if the show loses it's pacing during this point of the show, the lyrics may be secondary to moving the story along.
Updated On: 3/12/07 at 02:06 AM

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 7:18am

"Tech- I totally disagree. The haircut comparison is
ridiculous. (Spoiler alert)"

danhattan, it's fine for you to totally disagree with me and call my opinion "ridiculous", but I think you've missed my point. I have nothing against happy endings, I just like endings that make dramatic sense. I loved the end of "Ragtime" when little Coalhouse ran out. I see a big structural problem with Pirate Queen's story at the end of Act 2, and this is what I hope will be addressed in these last few weeks of previews. Elizabeth setting Grania free because Grania has a boyfriend, Grania going to London for no discernable reason, Elizabeth giving Grania some stuff back. These just seem to me like isolated events that don't add up. When I hear complaints about specific lyrics, dance steps, costumes etc. I suspect what I might be hearing is that the show's story isn't holding together. There's so much good stuff in Pirate Queen now that it frustrates me to see just about the exact same story and score problems at the end that were there at the early preview I saw in Chicago.

In terms of the show running and its financial success none of my opinions will matter if enough people buy tickets. I would never have guessed that "Cats" would make money, so I'm not claiming to have any idea how well Pirate Queen will do at the box office. The preview audience I was with seemed to love it, and I would be delighted to see this show become a hit and run for years. I just think there's a better chance of this happening if the end of Act 2 gets some radical surgery.

This is such potentially powerful and relevant material. At this very moment America is bogged down in a foreign war against insurgents, and next year we're going to consider if a woman's leadership might help us solve this problem.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 8:16am

And Steph and the Pirates performed for that Woman on Sunday.
Very interesting.

[danhattan]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:00am

Tech- C'mon on my friend. I wasn't being rude when I called your comparison ridiculous. You cannot truly believe that the end of THE PIRATE QUEEN is equal to Kim getting a haircut. It's just too silly to even take seriously.

Curtain- Well who was it? Hill and Bill? Barack Obama's wife? Monica Lewinsky?

[MissNY]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:30am

Slight thread jack, but does anyone know how quickly student rush sells out?

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:58am

Techeverlasting i have to agree with you 100percent that the show does not seem to build to anything at all (again im judging of chicago's try-out but im betting the ending is more or less the same).It has nothing to do with happy endings (im a sucker for them) it just issnt very interesting.

Im glad they have filled out the scenes including old Liz as they were very very flat(though the actress was great)

i still don't think it will last very long (just my opinion)

Many shows sell out during previews(Carrie the musical did at first and we all know what happened there) i don't think that means a thing.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:51am

danhattan, I welcome energetic discussions and don't think you were being rude at all.

I do indeed think that the power and impact of the Pirate Queen story at the end of Act 2 is comparable to Kim getting a bad haircut at the end of Miss Saigon instead of killing herself.

("If Chris won't be with me, life isn't fair. I shall find a trainee, to cut my hair")

This is my opinion, and of course you are entitled to disagree with it.

songanddanceman2, I only wish you could see what Act 1 of Pirate Queen has become now. It is so much better than it was in Chicago, which makes the fact that the ending still doesn't gel that much more troubling.

[kelzama]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:59am

bill and hillary were to get an award or recognition of some sort; the Hilton happened to be the venue.

[Popular]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 11:02am

I posted about Clinton meeting PQ last night
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=928311&dt=4

[BwayDreams]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 11:52am

Tech- What does Kim getting a haircut from a tranny have to do with anything? LMAO

That being said, I really love this show and judging from the audience I saw it with, it's going to be around for a long time.

[WordedGrace]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 12:04pm

We're all never going to agree on the show until it opens and the critics have spoken. It could survive bad reviews and go on to a long healthy run or it could be a victim of it's own hype. Wicked tapped into a young audience of teenage girls and some boys inspite of all the negative press about it. I do have to agree there needs to be more of a true ending and I was watching The Virgin Queen last night...it's about Elizabeth I, and it doesn't look like she was envious of anyone, nor does it seem credible she'd let someone go because that person was in love. If that were the case her cousin, Norfolk, and others would've diposed her... Just my two cents.. Let's all just remember it doesn't mean anything until the show officially opens

[Starlight2]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 5:11pm

"I really love this show and judging from the audience I saw it with, it's going to be around for a long time."

I totally agree with you, BwayDreams. I saw the show two times in NY and the audience response to both shows was wonderful. It was apparent that people were emotionally engaged and connected to the action on stage. I loved the show....and judging from audience reaction, it seemed that those in the theatre with me loved it as well!

[Lady Italy]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 5:24pm

Keep the love and hope going.

This is a must see show!

[kec]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 5:54pm

I saw the show on Sunday, March 11, and enjoyed it very much. I found myself quickly drawn into Grace's story, and found myself thisclose to tears at the end of each act. I thought the music was beautiful, the dancing excellent, and the acting -- wow. Kudos to everyone in the cast, especially to Stephanie and Hadley. Hadley gave me chills with his "I'll Be There." I'm only sorry that my time in NY isn't allowing me to see it again before I go back to Switzerland next week. I will definitely be making a return visit on my next visit home.

[SayitSomehow]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 5:56pm

Anyone else on audience response? Very interesting to hear.

[kec]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 6:26pm

The audience on Sunday seemed to like it very much. I overheard a lot of very nice comments on my way out of the theatre, and the lady sitting next to me was very complimentary about the show and its performers. Also, during the final scene, when Grace and Tiernan were reunited and there was a final dance circle to celebrate their becoming a family (something new according to someone in the cast), the audience was clapping along in time with the music.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 6:46pm

When I saw the first New York preview there was a clear improvement in the audience response. In Chicago there were several times when a song would end and there would be a brief silence, followed by timid applause that would then grow. It was as if the audience was confused, and wondering if they were supposed to clap. In New York last week there seemed to be genuine, sincere applause at the expected moments. The audience applauded when Donal died and when the Queen made her proclamation of what Grace would get.

No standing ovation until Stephanie came out, but the audience got to their feet for her.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 6:54pm

The audience went wild when Stephanie came out. Actually, Linda Balgord got a great deal of applause as well. First time in a while that I've heard people screaming BRAVO! In any event, the clapping continued for a few more seconds after the curtain came down.

These woman behind me wouldn't shut up about how gorgeous Hadley was and this young boy was telling his parents that he was so glad he picked this show for his birthday. His parents and others in their party agreed. It's really nice when a show touches young people.

Updated On: 3/12/07 at 06:54 PM

[Starlight2]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 8:14pm

Regarding audience response....additional lighter moments have been added since Chicago and the audiences in NY laughed at various times throughout the show at lines that were humorous. The audience also applauded several times in the middle of scenes for lines that were said or for certain actions of the characters. Collective sounds of agreement were heard for a particular line that truly hit the mark stating the lack of integrity of a certain character. The show in NY has been able to emotionally touch the audiences. The response at curtain call for all was wonderful and there were standing ovations at both of the shows I attended.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 8:29pm

Please, SOMEONE tell me that they cut down on the use of the word "balls"... I enjoyed the show in Chicago, but that was one of my main complaints. I swear to god they said it at least 10 times, most of which weren't funny and just awkward to listen to.

*edit*
Also, glad to hear its doing well and has improved! I hope to see it again in June!

Updated On: 3/12/07 at 08:29 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 8:31pm

I think I only heard it once in NYC.
I could be wrong.
What do you have against balls anyway?

[kec]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:51pm

Question... is the show loosely based on the novel by Morgan Llewellen? (sp)

Edit: never mind... I found the answer on the show's website.
Updated On: 3/12/07 at 09:51 PM

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:07pm

There was only one mention of Grania's balls at the preview I saw: Lord Bingham expressing his continuing desire to crush them.

In Chicago it seemed that all anyone wanted to say about Grania was that she had balls. If I recall correctly the crew of the Col Na Mara also had balls, but Donal didn't.

That libretto had more balls than a Chuck E. Cheez playpen.