Retire it, QUEEN! — Page 4

Wanna Be foster- Thanks for your review . I am debating now whether to see the show or not.-j*

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 10:42 AM

For all those who are shocked and appaled by Fosters opinion, I would put forth to you the Chicago Tribune's OFFICIAL review of the show when it opened out of town, which essentially voiced all the same critiques. I even recall Chris Jones comparing the villians to something out of Spamalot. And from what I hear, all of these problematic elements are still fully intact. So my question is...What the hell did they DO in those three months off??

Ill try to find the tribune link

Do you mean how they work out everything in silhouette as the Queen's court patters out truncated phrases of what they're discussing? Yes, it's still there. And it's still befuddling.

What Chicago's reviews had to say should not be based on what is transpiring on the Broadway stage today. Chicago has not seen the incorporated changes. So perhaps we can forego Chicago and start with a fresh commentary of PQ after the show is frozen.

Perhaps the company of pirate queen could have taken the chicago review and used it to their advantage to perfect and alter portions of their show. But if the show still contains (as what Im hearing here from posters whose opinions i generally agree with and respect) a muddy plot, unmemorable music, an anticlimactic climax, and cartoonish villians, then it would seem that very little that needed change has, in fact, changed.

That was my point in bringing up the chicago review. And, PLEASE, do you people so staunchly defending the show really think that the NY preview period is going to see that many changes when they had three months since chicago? I bet youd be lucky to see a shorter Hobbit cape on Grania by opening night. But thats about it.

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 11:30 AM

fachedaluna, what Foster and I have posted in our reviews is just our opinion on a first preview. we are entitled to our opinions even if they are mostly negative. i went into the show wanting to LOVE it, as i am a huge fan of Stephanie Block, but like I said in my review, most of it fell flat for me. please do not bash us, or others who have spoken negatively of this show. we gave our opnions and backed them up with concrete examples. i LOVE Les Mis and Miss Saigon, but it was hard for me to believe that the same composers wrote The Pirate Queen. Honestly, I feel horrible this morning that I didn't love the show...I really wanted to love it. When I see it next Friday, I'm hoping for a lot of significant changes, but would not be surprised if there aren't too many.

I am not telling people not to see this show (double negative...sorry). They should see it and form their own opinions. Definitely agree with you on that point.

So, fachedaluna, do musicals have to be either epic or light-hearted entertainment? That's a really narrow way of looking at things, I mean where would musicals like Caroline, or Change, Light in the Piazza, some of Sondheim's musicals be categorized as?

Just because something is epic doesn't mean it can't be shallow.

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WithoutaTrace...
I think what has made us, who enjoy the show, want to defend it is the way that Foster expressed himself! I know you didn't enjoy it and were hoping to. While I was frustrated by your post I was more frustrated because I really wanted you to like it. At least you tried to find some good and your post wasn't bashing the entire show. I wonder why even waste your time writing about something you hated so much?

I am not trying to be defensive or rude or any of the other things people might call me, I am just trying to clarify...and understand. Shows that I don't like I don't even waste my time on the boards talking about them. Fosters opinion is ONE opinion. There are several others on this board. People seem to be only taking into accound a few of them and forget that there are several people on the board that actually do enjoy the show.

I know there is a lot of negativity going on around this show here. It's sad because it makes it nearly impossibly for any of you to go in with a completely open mind (both the negative and the positive). Do you remember what it was like to walk into a theatre not having seen the show, or heard about it? and just enjoy it? Enjoy the entertainment? It's such a wonderful experience. We've all become such critics, nit picking at every detail. Is it even possible to go into a show with a clean slate anymore (and I'm not just talking about PQ)? I wonder. Call me optomistic but I hope some of you can erase the good and the bad from your minds when you see this show and form your own opinion, free from anyone elses influence!

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 11:56 AM

"Fact: People don't like their flawed favorites drug in the mud. They have no problem bashing Sondheim shows or other critical darlings, but for some reason, piles of crap develop huge fan bases, mostly due to the internet. They will themselves into liking it long before they hear a single note. They love idol worship, making cute avatars, and making friends through a show, which is great, but don't get pissed at someone for finding the obvious flaws in something just because you lurv it."

Well maybe that applies to a select few but certainly not all! Besides I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "lurv"!

I maybe very wrong here, and again I'm not just talking about PQ, but why would you waste the money going to a new show when you are looking for the flaws? I know many of you don't LOOK for them but a lot of you do. You go into shows AS critics. Where is the enjoyment in that? Unless I'm being paid to be a critic I'd rather look for the things I actually enjoy in a show and take in the entertainment of the evening!

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 12:04 PM

"Besides I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "lurv"!

The levels at which you fanatics also miss tongue in cheek humor and gentle sarcasm is also always astounding.

Ouch, Friend!