Pirate Queen 7:30 October 24, 2006 Review.....- Page 3

[steppin'wolf]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 12:26pm

I have been glued to these threads and I have to say you people have kept me in stitches about the Pirate Queen lyrics. "I can hear the balls" as the message title had me laughing out loud.

I finally got the chance to see The Pirate Queen last night and I just wanted to set one thing straight. Techeverlasting this is a qoute from your previous message...

"My favorite QE line is just before the act 2 prisoner swap when Elizabeth sings of Grania "She has lost her balls".
Yup, I'm sure that's how the British royalty talked."

I was very much looking forward to laughing at this line BUT when the time came I felt robbed! The Queen very clearly said "She has lost her BOATS, been denied the sea." Maybe this has been a line change or maybe Balgord has been working on her diction?

After all I read about not being able to understand the Queen, I have to say that I could understand her quite clearly. Unlike some of the other songs in the show (HERE ON THIS NIGHT for example)you really have to lean forward and pay attention to the lyrics when the Queen speaks. Not many audiences are used to this, and introducing the concept so late in the show doesn't do well. To the Pirate Queen creatives...write some better lyrics! The music is beautiful. I really loved the melodies but if your going to sing a song make it say something that moves the story along. That was my only major complaint. But I already hear that they are working on this.

After meeting some of the incredibly nice and SEXY Pirates at the stage door it seems that alot of changes are being made between Chicago and the New York opening. Word is "The woman that I am" is being scrapped and that they are writing Grace some new songs. I'll be excited to hear them. Stephanie Block is a show stopper! A wonderful actress with a mind blowing voice. She NEEDS a show stopping song. Right now this moment belongs to Tiernan. I loved "I'll be there." and suspect this will be the new song to sing at auditions. I also loved the power behind the songs "A day beyond Belclare", "Sail to the Stars", and "Sea of Life" But I could use a few more strong endings. Too many songs just trail off or finish too soon leaving the audience wanting more and feeling cheated of the big finish. This is an easy fix that I am positive they will discover in their own time.

On the whole I really enjoyed The Pirate Queen. And I imagine I was in the majority since there was a rousing standing ovation last night. It's no where near as bad as I had read on these boards but at the same time I understand people's complaints on the show. The good news is that the cast is phenomenal and worth the admission price alone (in my humble opinion)

I also want to say that I LOVE that Broadway bound musicals try out in Chicago. How lucky are we to see the world premieres of these musicals. Perfect or not, it's incredible to feel like your part of the journey. I have a lot of faith in this show and even it doesn't do well in Chicago...I think it will do just fine in New York.

They officially open this weekend! Break a leg you hot Pirates!

[queenbee2]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 1:03pm

She does, I believe, say BOATS and not BALLS. I too wanted to point this out, but didn't want to engage in the conversation, as I knew it would only trigger more talk about not being able to understand the Queen's lyrics (an issue I had as well). It's nice to hear that this issue may have somewhat improved, according to your post steppin'wolf.

-QB

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 1:46pm

I thought she said "balls" when I saw it last week. I was not listing for it, as I had avoided the threads about the show until I saw it. It may have been a diction issue, or perhaps it has been re-written since. But the point is, even if the lyric is BOATS, if the actor is not enunciating and the audience hears "BALLS" it doesn't really matter what the written lyric are. It sounds like they fixed it either way.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 1:48pm

is there a lot of cursing, and "ball" remarks in the show?
i havent seen it yet, but it seems from what ive heard that there are, and i dont know, it seems to me that the show could do without those...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 1:49pm

Oh, and I wanted to mention that Mary Zimmerman's production of Aronautica, which also takes place on a big ship, is opening this weekend at Lookingglass Theatre. It will be interesting to see how the critics respond to these two shows.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 4:50pm

re: the Queen saying "she has lost her balls". You are absolutely correct, she does in fact say "she has lost her boats". I had a friend check an old script for me, and I stand corrected. (I also take back what I said earlier about having been able to understand every word Queen Elizabeth sung in my second viewing of the show.)

As far as the overall use of profanity, in addition to the several confirmed uses of the word "balls" the show features Grace singing "sh*t" two times, and at the end Lord Bingham calls Grace an" Irish whore" and offers to "strike this bitch down" in front of Queen Elizabeth. What's so bizarre is that even with this strong language Bingham, Grace and all the other Pirates come off about as gritty and rough as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

As I've said before I don't mind strong language in a show if it's appropriate to the characters. Its use really puzzles me here. This show seems like a natural for parents to bring their young daughters to, with its strong female lead and the historical setting (such as it is). Can you imagine if the Wizard called Elphaba a "bitch" or a "whore" in Wicked?

"Sh*t, I'm defying gravity!"

Updated On: 10/28/06 at 04:50 PM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 6:45pm

thanks tech for the info!
that's exactly what i was thinking! they wont be able to attract as many families and teen girls with the use of the profanity and such. shows like PHANTOM, WICKED, CATS, LES MIS- a lot of big shows- wouldnt be such hits if they included a lot of unnecessary cursing and such. families (at least i know my family) wouldnt pay for stuff like that- at least when i was younger...
anyways, hope this show improves a bit before New York
:)

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 11:52pm

I personally hope that Idina, Shoshana, and Eden all get their dues as Grania.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:02am

I FINALLY got to see PQ this afternoon (10/2. I REALLY wanted to love this show, but it just needs a lot of work. As I look at my playbill, I can not remember any of the songs that go with the titles in the playbill (besides I'll Be There and Because I Am a Wife). However, the cast is beyond amazing. It is just perfect casting and they are all so wonderful. Not one weak link in the show. Overall, it was enjoyable...it just needs something more. Some more interesting songs like "Boys Will Be Boys," "I'll Be There," and "Because I Am A Wife" would help this show a lot. All the other songs sound the same after awhile. I can't wait to hear about how it does in New York.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:04am

I had this really annoying tune stuck in my head today. I finally realized it was Boys Will Be Boys, but I always ended up singing Master of the House. It's not a good song, just a catchy jingle that is simple and repetitive and sounds rather like a different/better B/S song.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 2:51am

My signed poster . The one on the forehead is Claude-Michel Schönberg's autograph. It was a thrill to meet him!

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 6:57am

That's the poster that I could not resist shelling out $15 for. I think it's the most gorgeous piece of art I've ever seen associated with a musical.

chinkie azn jai, was Stephanie singing "Because I Am a Wife" or were the new "The Woman That I Was/Am" lyrics being used?

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 7:35am

that poster looks incredible!
i want one!
:)

[elf2]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 7:55am

>This show seems like a natural for parents to bring their young
>daughters to, with its strong female lead and the historical
>setting (such as it is). Can you imagine if the Wizard called
>Elphaba a "bitch" or a "whore" in Wicked?

But it's not being marketed as a kids show and it isn't based on a childrens film so comparing it to Wicked is ill-considered.

Miss Saigon has a strong female lead but involves prostitution, scenes of a sexual nature and several moments of fairly strong language. Les Mis uses adult language and scenes of whores.

So why anyone would expect Pirate Queen to be Beauty and the Beast is beyond me.

Having finally gotten to see the show, I would say I wasn't blown away. I think a lot of the remarks on here have been unfairly nasty about the show but yes, it needs works. On first viewing much of it left me unaffected but seeing it again the following evening, many of the tunes stayed with me.

What this means for the shows future I don't know. Martin Guerre left me unmoved on the first viewing but when the songs grew on me I loved them and think much of the work is better than Les Mis. However, the book was a problem with London's Martin Guerre and it's a problem with Pirate Queen.

I really hope somebody takes a serious step back and looks at this again before Broadway. I don't think they can change enough to make it *great* in Chicago but with a few new songs and a book change in some scenes, it could be a winner.

I'll Be There, Here On This Night, Because I'm a Wife, Sail To The Stars, the song with the sail mending and a few other numbers grabbed me but there needs to be more.

I can't say I'm grabbed by the Queen Elizabeth character either. Balgord's vocals didn't help there either.
Updated On: 10/29/06 at 07:55 AM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 10:22am

elf2 - I saw the production photo of women mending a sail...which part of the show is that in? Just a random question, thanks.


I like the score to "Martin Guerre," but as B&S themselves say, they never really cracked the story. (paraphrasing..)

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:25pm

Listen, in all seriousness you are entitled to your opinion. I'm honestly not trying to start anything. Until I see it myself I guess I can't really reply except to say that it's too bad a ticket was wasted on you. I'd be glad to take your seat next time!

HAHA You haven't even seen it? I thought you worked for the production. Sueleen's review was completely accurate. This show is BAD!! It's another "Wicked" all the money wasted on sets and costumes. The characters are confused. The music is dull. The lyrics are on a Tim Rice level. Stephanie is wasted here. I wanted to walk out. I had more fun at "Martin Guerre". I will second Sueleens review. I agree with everything 100%.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:40pm

TechEverlasting, I really wouldn't know if she sang new lyrics because it was my first time seeing it.

B3TA07, the part when they're mending the sail is when Grania decides to set sail again. There was a battle before it, so the sail was all tattered.

Updated On: 10/29/06 at 12:40 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:41pm

Thanks Ciaron.
At one point the women are sewing the wedding dress and in the second act the men fix the sail. I am not sure what photo you are referring to, but that's how I remember it.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:46pm

It's shown during John McColgan's oct. 28 castcom if you watch them. I won't die if I find out, I was just asking out of curiosity because I'd figured out the other ones. Thanks.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 2:53pm

"But it's not being marketed as a kids show and it isn't based on a childrens film so comparing it to Wicked is ill-considered."

It's sure written like a kid's show. If they want to come up with a grown up story treatment, then maybe they can get away with using some dirty words.

The folks at The Pirate Queen should only hope and pray that they can get their book and score to the point of being comparable to Wicked by next spring. I'm not saying that Wicked is the highest standard a musical can aspire to, but at least it's coherent. Wicked tells an interesting story, the audience actually cares what happens at the end and it has a couple of really strong songs in it. The Pirate Queen has none of those things going for it at the moment.

As I have said repeatedly I am not against using strong language in a show where it is appropriate. I even took my then five year old daughter to see the Producers and didn't mind a bit when Nathan said the "Who do I have to f**k to get a break in this town" line. It was funny, it made sense for the character, and my kid didn't go to school the next day and say the "f" word in front of her teachers. The use of profanity in Pirate Queen is awkward and vulgar. It adds nothing to the characterizations and just draws attention to how generally lame the lyrics are. The second time I saw the show several people near me in the audience giggled when Grania sang to Donal that silly line in "I Dismiss You", something to the effect of "You don't have the balls, I'm tired of your sh*t." It's just bad writing.

"I really hope somebody takes a serious step back and looks at this again before Broadway. I don't think they can change enough to make it *great* in Chicago but with a few new songs and a book change in some scenes, it could be a winner. "

elf2, I could not agree with you more. They really need a serious step back, and this show could be a big winner.

My opinion is that the entire story treatment and about half of the lyrics need to be thrown out. They desperately need at least two hit songs. I really think this show could be huge, but I think they need to do at least one workshop of a revised version before they sink millions of dollars into opening on Broadway. If what's up there now is the result of over two years of work from this creative team, then something is seriously wrong with their process.


"I think a lot of the remarks on here have been unfairly nasty about the show but yes, it needs works."

I don't know if you're referring to me there, but my perspective on the show is based on the obvious fact that these producers are trying to create a huge hit musical. I think they have been very well served by their cast and technical staffs, and horribly let down by their writer, composer and director. I would hate to see this show be another big expensive flop, especially when there's so much potential in the story and concept. Broadway has had too many megaflops lately. If that's "unfairly nasty", then so be it.

elf2, if I recall correctly you closely followed Martin Guerre as it went through its different rewrites and versions in London. I would be interested to hear what you think The Pirate Queen's producers should do now.

[bardolator]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 3:14pm

I'd like to know why they're dropping "Wife" entirely. I think that's a HUGE mistake, as everyone I've spoken with has pointed it out as one of the strengths of the show, and just suggested that they add another stanza. Then they changed the title and lyrics, and now they're CUTTING IT?! *headdesk*

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 10:01pm

"I'd like to know why they're dropping "Wife" entirely."

They are trying to save the show. (Besides, next week they might add back a longer version plus two reprises and a dream ballet based on it.) Look at it this way: If The Pirate Queen flops on Broadway and closes after a few months, it will be as if every single number in the show was cut. They won't be doing any of them! The lifeboats were an attractive feature of the Titanic, but it was still a good idea to drop those when the thing was sinking.

I've only been able to watch a few musicals in development, but there are several "lost" numbers I pine for. There was a tune in Act 2 of Ragtime called "The Showbiz" featuring Harry Houdini and Evelyn Nesbit. It's on the "Songs From" album and I just love it. It didn't make sense to focus on these two incidental characters late in the show though. When Fosse first played in Toronto there was a fully orchestrated version of "Take off With Us" from All That Jazz. I really missed that one when they cut it. By getting rid of it they were able to add "Nowadays" from Chicago.

This is one of the reasons it's worth going to great lengths to catch out of town tryouts of shows by your favorite composers. (It's also why some people sneak little recording devices into show previews, although I would never condone such behavior.)

The fact that the creatives at Pirate Queen recognize that this number isn't working gives me some optimism.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 9:47am

"I think a lot of the remarks on here have been unfairly nasty about the show but yes, it needs works."

I think there are quite a few people on this board who need to realize that negative criticism is not unfair or nasty. It's not even vaguely personal.

I like that many of the reviewers are noticing the talent of Stephanie Block. If only she were given a meatier role, imagine the praise! She definitely deserves the kudos.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 10:53am

No doubt, with performers like Stephanie J. Block and Hadley Frasier The Pirate Queen will be able to fill its ads with lots of positive sounding pull quotes from reviews.

I've been thinking about an earlier comment from elf2:

"So why anyone would expect Pirate Queen to be Beauty and the Beast is beyond me."

This is what I hate about the whole opening sequence. Grace's character is WAY too close to something out of The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. She's portrayed as a mischievous little girl who wants to be part of the grownup world, playing tag with Tiernan, worshipping her benevolent father and then saving the ship (that little rascal).

After reading the source novel, with its rich weathered heroine and complex relationships, I would never expect The Pirate Queen to be Beauty and the Beast. There certainly isn't anything in the novel about Grania begging her kind father to come along on his voyages or playing tag with Tigernan. Unfortunately what Boublil has given us is a sorry imitation of Beauty. The frivolous inclusion of a few four letter words doesn't make this any less of a cartoon story treatment.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:00am

That was pretty much my point in my comments at the start of this thread. If only it had a Menken score Disney would be all over this. Just add a few prankish leprechauns and a singing ship mast head.