#1
Posted: 3/17/07 at 12:17am
(edit- it has been explained to me after posting this, that I would have been better served to add the following comments to one of the existing Pirate Queen threads. I apologize for taking up the extra space and will adhere to this request in the future)
I am happy to report, fellow Broadway World-ers, that The Pirate Queen is a very good musical. It has spectacle, substance and a glorious cast. Is it a great musical? I don’t think so. But it is very good. And for that, I am happy.
I'm also happy to report, THERE IS AN ENDING TO THE SHOW NOW! The audience now knows when the show is over, and that is a good thing. A beautiful chorale ending brings together a great second act. And the audience was very responsive tonight. Very enthusiastic applause and standing ovation (not that that means much on Broadway anymore). The show has been tightened a great deal over the past week and a half, the story streamlined some more, and the cast has grown in depth of performance and comfortability within the piece. All good improvements since seeing it last. And DAMN, do those pirates look good!
Oh, and to answer an earlier question, YES- Hadley, Stephanie and Marcus are using very subtle Irish accents that add a very nice texture to the show. They seem to have a great handle on the sounds, and it added something rich to the spoken scenes. I’m not sure why they were the only ones doing it though? Seems like if they’re going to do it, they all should go for it, no?
After seeing the show numerous times, I’m still not sure why it doesn’t acheive “greatness” (in my mind). It could be a number of things. As stated here before, I’m still not thrilled with the tone of the English scenes. I still wish some of the musical endings of numbers were more exciting. And I really wish the show started out with more of a “bang” than it currently does (you can feel that the first few minutes of the show don’t grab the audience the way I wish they would). But with those factors aside, I’ve found a really enjoyable musical playing at The Hilton that I think will be there for some time.
Visually, this show is one of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen. The set is minimalistic, but somehow seems huge in its scope. The lighting is truly remarkable and evokes so much feeling, thus suppoting the actors scene by scene. And the costumes are unbeliveably beautiful.
The music is so moving, and although it may not be as “hummable” or exciting as some previous Schoenberg (spelling?) scores, it is certainly one of his most beautiful works. It is truly music that I’ve grown to love more and more with every listen, and I cannot wait for a cast album. Complete Symphonic Recording, please?
But the heart and soul of this show is far and away the cast. From the ensemble up through each and every principal, this cast is fully invested in the story they are telling and they turn in beautiful performances.
Stephanie as Grace really is a power house. Beautiful singing. Fully committed acting. Obviously proud to be playing this powerful woman and giving everything she has to bring her to life. I love watching/listening to her work. Her rendition of “Woman” is spectacular, “Sea of Life” and her duets with Tiernan are beautiful, and “I Dismiss” is a powerfully sung battle between she and Donal. Assuming she will record an album some day, I’ll be there to buy it.
Hadley as Tiernan- his “I’ll Be There” is worth the price of admission alone. A well thought out performance in a somewhat underwritten role. He brings a real simplicity and honor to Tiernan. And I could listen to the man sing all night long.
Linda as The Queen- this perfornance has grown on me. From reading other posts, I think this is the one performance that people either love, or have some trouble with, because of the stylized approach. But after seeing her in the role a few times now, I’ve developed a great appreciation for her work. And she is wearing some SERIOUS clothes!
Jeff as Dubdhara- Such humanity and power. I believe he is the leader of this clan. And his “My Grace”, while not my favorite song, is beautifully sung and acted. Yeah, he is a bit reminicent of Val Jean, but I don’t mind.
Marcus as Donal- In my opinion, the most difficult role to sell, because Donal is set up as a man the audience despises from his first song “Boys’ll Be Boys”. But somehow, Marcus manages to make us love hating his character. At tonights performance I found moments of real sympathy in Donal, and wondered, for the first time, if he might actually love Grace (watch him closely in the funeral ). “Father Stand By His Son” is one of my favorite moments of the show, as his voice goes from tender and emotional, to very powerful.
William as Bingham- although I have some trouble with the England scenes, this is such a well thought out performance, dangerously bordering on over the top but always staying real and committed. I love the sexual dynamic between he and Elizabeth, and his singing during the Christening scene has always been a favorite moment of mine.
And I can’t stress the importance of the ensemble in this show. So well sung, and the combination of Irish Dance mixed with more traditional/modern Broadway dance is a joy to watch in the wedding and Christening.
So try to eliminate any preconceived notions you might have of this show. The reviews from Chicago are insignificant in my mind, as this really is a completely different show. Kudos for everyone aboard The Pirate Queen for using an out of town try out the way it was meant to be used. And for not losing hope or faith when the show was beaten up somewhat by the press in Chicago. In 20 some years of seeing Broadway shows, I’ve developed a soft spot for this one, and have enjoyed watching it grow.
I guess I’ll have to go back again sometime after opening to see what the “final” product is, as they still have a few weeks of previews left and probably will continue to improve.
The Pirate Queen is a good show. And I’m glad.
-QB
I am happy to report, fellow Broadway World-ers, that The Pirate Queen is a very good musical. It has spectacle, substance and a glorious cast. Is it a great musical? I don’t think so. But it is very good. And for that, I am happy.
I'm also happy to report, THERE IS AN ENDING TO THE SHOW NOW! The audience now knows when the show is over, and that is a good thing. A beautiful chorale ending brings together a great second act. And the audience was very responsive tonight. Very enthusiastic applause and standing ovation (not that that means much on Broadway anymore). The show has been tightened a great deal over the past week and a half, the story streamlined some more, and the cast has grown in depth of performance and comfortability within the piece. All good improvements since seeing it last. And DAMN, do those pirates look good!
Oh, and to answer an earlier question, YES- Hadley, Stephanie and Marcus are using very subtle Irish accents that add a very nice texture to the show. They seem to have a great handle on the sounds, and it added something rich to the spoken scenes. I’m not sure why they were the only ones doing it though? Seems like if they’re going to do it, they all should go for it, no?
After seeing the show numerous times, I’m still not sure why it doesn’t acheive “greatness” (in my mind). It could be a number of things. As stated here before, I’m still not thrilled with the tone of the English scenes. I still wish some of the musical endings of numbers were more exciting. And I really wish the show started out with more of a “bang” than it currently does (you can feel that the first few minutes of the show don’t grab the audience the way I wish they would). But with those factors aside, I’ve found a really enjoyable musical playing at The Hilton that I think will be there for some time.
Visually, this show is one of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen. The set is minimalistic, but somehow seems huge in its scope. The lighting is truly remarkable and evokes so much feeling, thus suppoting the actors scene by scene. And the costumes are unbeliveably beautiful.
The music is so moving, and although it may not be as “hummable” or exciting as some previous Schoenberg (spelling?) scores, it is certainly one of his most beautiful works. It is truly music that I’ve grown to love more and more with every listen, and I cannot wait for a cast album. Complete Symphonic Recording, please?
But the heart and soul of this show is far and away the cast. From the ensemble up through each and every principal, this cast is fully invested in the story they are telling and they turn in beautiful performances.
Stephanie as Grace really is a power house. Beautiful singing. Fully committed acting. Obviously proud to be playing this powerful woman and giving everything she has to bring her to life. I love watching/listening to her work. Her rendition of “Woman” is spectacular, “Sea of Life” and her duets with Tiernan are beautiful, and “I Dismiss” is a powerfully sung battle between she and Donal. Assuming she will record an album some day, I’ll be there to buy it.
Hadley as Tiernan- his “I’ll Be There” is worth the price of admission alone. A well thought out performance in a somewhat underwritten role. He brings a real simplicity and honor to Tiernan. And I could listen to the man sing all night long.
Linda as The Queen- this perfornance has grown on me. From reading other posts, I think this is the one performance that people either love, or have some trouble with, because of the stylized approach. But after seeing her in the role a few times now, I’ve developed a great appreciation for her work. And she is wearing some SERIOUS clothes!
Jeff as Dubdhara- Such humanity and power. I believe he is the leader of this clan. And his “My Grace”, while not my favorite song, is beautifully sung and acted. Yeah, he is a bit reminicent of Val Jean, but I don’t mind.
Marcus as Donal- In my opinion, the most difficult role to sell, because Donal is set up as a man the audience despises from his first song “Boys’ll Be Boys”. But somehow, Marcus manages to make us love hating his character. At tonights performance I found moments of real sympathy in Donal, and wondered, for the first time, if he might actually love Grace (watch him closely in the funeral ). “Father Stand By His Son” is one of my favorite moments of the show, as his voice goes from tender and emotional, to very powerful.
William as Bingham- although I have some trouble with the England scenes, this is such a well thought out performance, dangerously bordering on over the top but always staying real and committed. I love the sexual dynamic between he and Elizabeth, and his singing during the Christening scene has always been a favorite moment of mine.
And I can’t stress the importance of the ensemble in this show. So well sung, and the combination of Irish Dance mixed with more traditional/modern Broadway dance is a joy to watch in the wedding and Christening.
So try to eliminate any preconceived notions you might have of this show. The reviews from Chicago are insignificant in my mind, as this really is a completely different show. Kudos for everyone aboard The Pirate Queen for using an out of town try out the way it was meant to be used. And for not losing hope or faith when the show was beaten up somewhat by the press in Chicago. In 20 some years of seeing Broadway shows, I’ve developed a soft spot for this one, and have enjoyed watching it grow.
I guess I’ll have to go back again sometime after opening to see what the “final” product is, as they still have a few weeks of previews left and probably will continue to improve.
The Pirate Queen is a good show. And I’m glad.
-QB
Updated On: 3/17/07 at 12:17 AM
