Pirate Queen- Is It Really That Bad?

#1

Pirate Queen- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:06pm

To celebrate me surviving another school year, me and my mother may be going into the city on the night of the last day of school and getting tickets for a show off the TKTS board. I may end up seeing The Pirate Queen. It's on the list of shows which I want to see (in this case, because I love Boubil and Schonberg's previous works.)

Obviously, I've heard all the bad stuff and heated debates about PQ, as well as some positive stuff. I've seen pretty much every clip from the site that must not be named and video preview out there. I don't want to start another debate. What I'm asking, is for those who have seen The Pirate Queen, do you think it is a more enjoyable show than, say, Jekyll and Hyde?

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Cosette: Roses are red. Marius: Violets are blue. Eponine: You're so in love! Marius: And so not with you.

Updated On: 6/5/07 at 05:06 PM

#2

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:08pm

You might wanna try not puting initials in your thread title....

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"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

#3

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:09pm

I edited it. Now will someone please be constructive and answer the question?

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Cosette: Roses are red. Marius: Violets are blue. Eponine: You're so in love! Marius: And so not with you.

#4

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:10pm

if it is, then why isn't, then why is it still open?

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"I mean, sitting side by side with another man watching Patti LuPone play Rose in GYPSY on Broadway is essentially the equivalent of having hardcore sex." -Wanna Be A Foster. "Say 'Goody.' Say 'Bubbi.'" ... "That's it. Exactly as if it were 'Goody.' Now I know you're gonna sing 'Goody' this time, but nevertheless..."

#5

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:12pm

The Producers have alot of money?

#6

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:12pm

It is very boring and muddled. I liked the score, but I like Les Miz, so it wasn't much of a change. The cast is good, but the plot is unwieldy, long and unclear. Whenever someone dies you don't really notice. Go if you like Boublil and Schonberg. It's not an artsy, deep meaning show at all, though.

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#7

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:14pm

I certainly didn't think it was as bad as the critics and some poster here made it out to be. Some of the songs stuck in my head for a few days after I saw it -- and no, Boys Will Be Boys wasn't one of them, although I did like that song. The performances overall were outstanding. I had no issues with the plot, and certainly "noticed" when there was a death.

I haven't seen Jekyll and Hyde so I can't offer you a comparison. I hope this helps a bit.

Updated On: 6/5/07 at 05:14 PM

#8

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:14pm

It seems like your mind is made up to see the show, so why would anyone else's opinion matter? Go and enjoy.

I hope for your sake that Stephanie is there (she's wonderful) instead of Kathy "search for pitch" Voytko.

#9

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:14pm

Istillbelieve, since you have seen all the debates on here between the two camps, I think you just need to decide if you want to see The Pirate Queen. Youre just going to get another laundry list of those who love it and those who hate it on here. The question about comparing it to Jekyl and Hyde doesn't even make sense to me. Just make a decision.

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"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

#10

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:16pm

Is it really that bad? Yes. Absolutely. Avoid it by all means. I would rather sit through Les Mis than The Pirate Queen and that's saying a lot.

#11

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:16pm

Comparing it to Jekyll and Hyde makes a lot of sense to me, because I'm on the crew of a production of J&H right now.

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Cosette: Roses are red. Marius: Violets are blue. Eponine: You're so in love! Marius: And so not with you.

#12

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:19pm

Just go see the Pirate Queen and post a review. :) It sounds like you have made up your mind.

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"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

#13

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:19pm

Kalimba is right -- you seem to have your mind made up, it shouldn't matter what I or anyone else thinks. Go and enjoy -- make up your own mind as to whether it's good or bad.

Updated On: 6/5/07 at 05:19 PM

#14

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:22pm

I thought it was beyond awful- it was really a nightmare.

But if you're a fan of the composers, then watch it. At least you'll say you had the chance to see it, and you might be one of the few who actually likes it, for whatever reason.

Don't compare this to the Wildhorn flop - this one at least doesn't have the strange push to keep it running for years, when it's going to end a flop anyway.

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#15

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:29pm

So far it seemsmost people are saying go and decide for youself, which I agree with. However, there have been several posts that hated it, to simply balance that, I loved it. No- it is not the new Les Miz, but was a beautiful and powerful show. One suggestion- look up a synopsis before you go, it will help clarify the plot. It was first created by Irish producers who assumed people knew the story, so there are some things that go unsiad that an American audiance wouldn't get. It's like if a musical was made about Washington, the writer wouldn't spend ages establishing who he was, they would assume the audience would know.
Go in with an open mind. Let us know what you think.

By the way "The Wildhorn flop..."
Since when was Jekyll and Hyde a flop?

#16

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:32pm

If Jeckyl and Hyde had not made back their investement (which I don't think they did) by the time of closing, it was a flop.

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I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

#17

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:33pm

By the way "The Wildhorn flop..."
Since when was Jekyll and Hyde a flop?

Since it closed as a flop???

All Wildhorn shows have flopped on Broadway, love.

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#18

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:40pm

Istillbelieve,

I thought PQ was a mess. There's no flow to the story. It just bumps and jumps it's way along. One minute there's a fight then they break into Riverdance. It's annoying. However, the music isn't bad and Stephie J. Block is grand. I thought the costuming and set designs were very good as well and I also enjoyed some of the swashbuckling matey! The only way I'd see it again is if the only other choice was Deuce or death.

#19

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:41pm

"All Wildhorn shows have flopped on Broadway"

Even THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL?

#20

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:42pm

Yes, even the Scarlet Pimpernell (twice no less)!

#21

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:43pm

No it isn't

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Poster Emeritus

#22

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:43pm

Ha ha, especially that one, after 34567 versions.

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#23

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:54pm

I liked the show very much.

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Follow your bliss! I love Will Chase! I love Lisa Brescia! I love Stephanie J. Block!

#24

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:57pm

I'm proabably the only person who liked PQ. I didn't LOVE it though. I agree that it does bore somewhat and the music is somewhat one note. I was more disappointed in that they had some marvolous stuff to work with (aka: the story of Grace O'Malley) but the presentation of it came out flat.

It is enjoyable, I think. And honestly it's no worse than a lot of what's out on Bway right now, and yet everyone seems to be picking on it.

#25

re: PQ- Is It Really That Bad?

Posted: 6/5/07 at 5:59pm

Personally, I don't believe the show is "that bad". I've gone more than once with friends who also have all enjoyed themselves. My mother even, didn't think it was the best thing she'd ever seen, but she was interested in seeing it again. It's definitely not the best show ever, but the cast is extremely talented and although the Tony committee seems to disgree, aspects of it (the lighting, choreography, costumes) are fantastic. And if you're a Stephanie J. Block fan, it's a must see because she is unbelievable.

Like other people have said, sounds like you've made up your mind--go see it and tell us what you think. Answer your own question.