Broadway Legend Joined: 12/10/04
I'm going to see it next week. I'll tell you how it is then. However, I'm not familar with the show and don't plan on purchasing the recording until after I see the show.
However, apparantly it's full staging, full costumes, and pretty mcuh full everything except sets (they ran out of money when it came time to do sets.)
I can't wait to see it. We have great tickets!
I'm seeing it next week too! Or maybe the week after that, I have to check my datebook. Anyways, I'll respond after I see it as well :)
I loved it!
From what I had been hearing I expected a concert performance, but it's fully staged with elaborate costumes. The cast is fabulous. The band is on stage and sounds wonderful. Really, I can't praise this show enough, it's just a very entertaining and funny evening of theater.
John McDaniel did the orchestrations and has done a clever, tasteful job updating the score.
Stand-by Joined: 3/16/07
What's the difference between Pirates! and Pirates of Penzance? And how many version of that show exist?! (Isn't there an opera one too?)
Stand-by Joined: 3/16/07
What's the difference between Pirates! and Pirates of Penzance? And how many version of that show exist?! (Isn't there an opera one too?)
Swing Joined: 10/8/06
Love the cast...going to try to get up there to see it!!!!!!!!!!
I have a limited knowledge of the original Pirates of Penzance, but I can tell this new version is completely different. It's very funny and was the most enjoyable, hilarious night I've had at a theatre since I saw Avenue Q. There are many added jokes and gags. Additionally, all of the characters are completely different. For example, Mabel is written as a smart, spunky herione who makes Elphaba and Eponine (the girl-power idols of fangirls everywhere) look lame. The Pirate King character is portrayed as a dead-on Jack Sparrow impersonation.
Definitely go see it. The new version is superb (it's a completely different show with the same music) and the cast is brilliant. It's a full staging, excellent costumes and some set peices, but I found the actors and new book so engaging I didn't really miss or even register the lack of sets. The only people who have any reason to dislike any part of it are Gilbert and Sullivan purists. If you go in with an open mind, however, you WILL enjoy it. I hope Pirates! moves to Broadway, it really is a wonderful peice. Pirates! is a living, vibrant example of why the Papermill Playhouse needs to remain open for years to come.
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