PQ Castcom: Day before Opening! FOUR new videos up! (Sat 10/28)- Page 7

[kec]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 5:28pm

"...as are the boys in today's Castcom as they talk about changes "

They are indeed Popular...always a pleasure to see Daniel Torres on Castcom. Interesting comments from Hadley Frasier on his lack of dance movements, and his idea of a "half-time" show.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 6:28pm

Seeing it again on Wednesday!! front row again!! I'll see if I'm cool enough to pick up on the changes!!

[Popular]

Posted: 10/16/06 at 11:51am

Lucky you, Steph! According to today's Castcom six minutes has already been shaved off the show... sounds like you'll at least notice a change in the pacing of the show if not particular lyrics and details. And possibly some changes in the fighting/"flying" stunts as well.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/16/06 at 1:43pm

OK, I saw Pirate Queen on Saturday and I have to say I was thoroughly unimpressed. While I adored all of the performers and appreciated their hard work and talent, the show itself is just totally uninteresting. I can't even say, "If THIS was changed, it would be much better." There is just too much wrong with it. The one thing I despise in theatre is not a bad show, but a boring show, and I think The Pirate Queen was immensely boring.

None of the songs, excluding "Because I Am a Wife," was memorable at all, although even that song had way too many words in it for the audience to understand them all. Queen Elizabeth is singing way too high. My friend and I thought this and, during intermission, we found out a lot of other people were saying the same thing. I couldn't get the majority of what she was saying because it was her songs were written way too high. I can honestly tell you I don't know why Elizabeth hated Grace so much because she sung everything pertinent.

I thought the plot seemed to have plenty of effect, but no cause. I couldn't understand why some things were happening, perhaps because I couldn't understand what the performers were saying. And I could rarely understand how much time had passed between each incident. It could have been days or years for all I knew.

Although I thought all the singers and dancers were wonderful, I truly did not care at all what was happening to the characters. The love triangle aspect was done well as I didn't expect it, but I don't feel like I was given enough of a chance to care about the characters. They seemed very two-dimensional to me.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT








My biggest complaint with this show has to be one of the most absurd things I've ever seen onstage. It is the point directly after Grania gives birth and Donal is deciding to surrender to the British. Grace decides to take command and go and fight the British herself. The people next to us cracked up at this and I could see other people in the audience rolling their eyes. You could practically see the afterbirth on her nightgown, but there she was, swordfighting against a dozen Brits and winning, of course. That part has got to go or be altered immensely. I know it's supposed to demonstrate her courage and tenacity, but the way it's done now is absurd and takes away any seriousness the moment might have.

The only reason that I seem to be so upset with this show is because I am so dissappointed. I was so much looking forward to a good show with good music and excellent performers. I only got the last of those. I feel the performers deserve something much better in which to showcase their talents.

I know you all will pounce on me for being so negative, but I was not the only one. I didn't hear any positive comments as we headed out the door and there were quite a few seats empty once intermission was over. I don't think this show is worth going to see.

[Lady Italy]

Posted: 10/16/06 at 2:55pm

Hello all of you out there in cyber land...let's remember that The Pirate Queen is in constant transition. Lots of big changes will be happening before it hits NYC. So, don't put out those negative vibes. Afterall, Les Mes and Miss Siagon weren't accepted as wonderful works immediately. To get a show to the right place it takes hours and hours of thought, collaboration, and refitting. So be patient and remember previews are just that...previews for the final product!

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/16/06 at 3:41pm

I realize that they are in previews, which is why I said:

"I can't even say, 'If THIS was changed, it would be much better.' There is just too much wrong with it."

[Popular]

Posted: 10/16/06 at 5:13pm

Lady Italy is right. At this point the audience should be expecting to see "potential"... it's too bad you couldn't even find that much in it, SG.

[Lady Italy]

Posted: 10/16/06 at 8:50pm

SG... what type of production were you expecting to see...??? It was stated on castcom that this show is historical. About a woman who takes over her father's place as chieftain, fights the British navy and confronts Queen Elizabeth. I've seen the show and all these elements where shown. You said that it was boring! Okay, maybe you are not into historical facts. This show is definitely not comedic (as Les Mes was not a comedic rendering)The performers are extremely talented and tell the tale with utmost beauty. The sets, lighting and costumes are superb. Yes, it does need some revamping, but to say that it is unsalvageable...well that is a bit harsh! This type of show may not be your milieu, and that's okay. But please, let's give this show a chance. Other readers take what is being said to heart and being negative on the boards will not send out anything good into the universe. Let's all just think positive and pray for the best!!!!!

[Popular]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 2:41pm

Hadley and ensemble are up today! :)

[bardolator]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 5:58am

"My biggest complaint with this show has to be one of the most absurd things I've ever seen onstage."

The sad thing? THIS REALLY HAPPENED. I was afraid people would see this onstage and think it was hokey, but it's one of the things that the sources I've read all agree on. Grania gave birth on board ship. Less than a day later, the Turks, I think (definitely not the English, but it would have made the story even MORE unbelievable) attacked and boarded the ship. The accounts differ on whether she forced someone to help her onto deck or whether she made it on her own power, but they do say that, after a very difficult birth, she came out on deck with--a sword and a blunderbuss, I think--and saved the day (her men were losing, and she cursed them for not being able to get the job done even ONCE without her). She reportedly said as she fought "Take this from unconsecrated hands!"

It's a huge story to pack into 2+ hours, but there's soooo much talent behind this production that I'm hoping they can make the changes that will pull it off. I keep hearing about Elizabeth's range; hope they're hearing and can figure out how to fix that, in particular.

Ummm, topic! The most recent castcoms included a tour of Hadley's dressing room, or "crib," as he jokingly called it. The difference between his and those of the "girls" (Linda's is opulent; Steph's is lovely and warm) is kind of funny...and makes it clear why he was "napping" in Steph's in an earlier castcom!
Updated On: 10/18/06 at 05:58 AM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:19am

Popular and Lady Italy-- what I was expecting was a good and interesting show. It was indeed vaguely interesting, but I was not drawn in at all. Yes, I do very much like historical facts and I, in particular, find the age of Elizabeth I very interesting and have read many books on the topic. I also wasn't expecting a funny show. Please refrain from making assumptions about me merely because I am reviewing The Pirate Queen badly.

As a movie without music I think I would love this tale. However, as a musical, I thought the music was unmemorable and uninspiring. Let me reiterate, though, that I thought the performers were wonderful, which I believe I have said a couple of times. This is not a personal attack on them or you. And merely because the show is in previews doesn't mean that it is immune from any sort of criticism. If it were, there would be no need of an objective audience. They could just play the show out in an empty theatre to each other or to their friends and family.

bardolator-- It's not a good enough answer to say that it's OK in the show because it actually happened. There were people in the audience laughing because of it, not only me and my friend.

Let me make it clear that I've been wanting to see this show since the ads got put up in Chicago months back. I wanted it very much to be good and interesting, especially for my friend, who came to visit me from Ohio specifically for this show. We went in with an open mind. We were disappointed. I know that you all love the show, but there are opinions different from your own. Not everyone needs to or will love this show. So relax.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 12:56pm

SG - you are entitled to your opinion. The world would be boring if everyone liked and disliked the same things. It's only how you wrote that even changed couldn't save it that seemed a bit harsh and unfair to say this early on.

I know this would never happen but I'd be interested in what the responses would be if they did a complimentary show for all of those who didn't care for it in it's early stages. Maybe either right before it left Chicago or opened in NY. That would be one heck of a commercial if they were able to change people's minds for the better!

As for CASTCOM... new one up today of Steph talking about... what else, the changes! :)

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:01pm

I didn't write that it couldn't be saved, just that I don't have any ideas about what could be changed to make it more interesting. I understand your point, though, and I didn't mean to be unfair. I really do hope it gets better in the future, but I think it'll take a LOT of work, which the cast and crew do seem to be willing to give it. I wish them all the luck and hope it shapes up before it hits Broadway and proves me wrong.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 2:18pm

SG - all anyone presenting a new show can hope for is an audience with an open mind, so thanks for saying what you just did.

TWO NEW CASTCOMS UP TODAY :)

[Popular]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 11:18am

Steph once more!

OH! And cute Irish boys as well. You know... in case anyone is interested in that sort of thing

[Popular]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 10:16am

2 more with ensemble... with a cameo appearance of sword fighting practice being heard in the background.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 10:47am

SorryGrateful, I didn't realize you had written a review on this thread, I thought it was just Castcom talk. I enjoyed your thoughts, and obviously I agree with them.

There seem to be a lot of comments on this board to the effect of "you shouldn't condemn this show, it's just in previews!" The whole point of doing an out of town tryout is to determine if the basic material a show is made from is viable.

(Edited to not be overly negative on a thread whose purpose is to promote the Castcom videos.)

Updated On: 10/22/06 at 10:47 AM

[Popular]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 1:06pm

Youman's transformation - a 2 parter! :)

[Popular]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:51am

Linda Balgord and Ensemble member Jamie Laverdiere...

[Popular]

Posted: 10/26/06 at 10:01am

A few new ones since the last time I posted, so BUMP! :)

[Popular]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 12:48pm

Co-lyricist and costume designer.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 7:37pm

hey--

if anoyone wants to see pirate queen and is broke, jetblue is offering $36 each way to chicago from nyc and (i think) long beach to celebrate its new chicago service.

only catch is that you have to book it by midnight tonight--friday--and that gives you about four hours.

not sure when the show closes or the avail dates for the flights, so check that before you book, but fyi.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 8:23pm

Trust me I've been checking!

Chicago to New York, NY/JFK service starts January 4, 2007.
Chicago to Long Beach, CA service starts January 4, 2007.

PQ in Chicago ends in November so doesn't quite work out.

But Southwest is pretty decent with certain one way fares starting at $99. It's just when you add in the cost of transportation, hotel, show... it gets pricey.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 10/27/06 at 8:51pm

Woooo, I finally get to see this tomorrow afternoon. I'm really excited...well, except for the whole battle scene.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 1:38pm

CAJ - let us know how you like it!

FOUR new castcoms today :)