Shakespearean Takes a Stab at the Pirate Queen (A Review)

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:57am

I wasn’t sure whether it was appropriate to write a review of the first preview of The Pirate Queen but since it seems everyone else has, here’s mine. If nothing else, you’ll know I see more than Tarzan (I’ve actually seen most of the major shows currently running, just for the record). I know they’re working the kinks out and, frankly, I felt privileged to be a part of the process in some miniscule way. Last night, I contributed by being part of the sound absorption in the Hilton, a barn of a theatre. I remember how people complained about the size of the Uris (now the Gershwin) when Sweeney Todd ran there way back when. More on the sound later.

God, I wanted to love this show. I remember the first time I saw Les Mis, I was singing ‘Master of the House’ and ‘Bring Him Home’ to myself for a week, making up my own words because I didn’t have the album yet. When I saw Miss Saigon, ‘Why God?’ haunted me forever. I can’t recall a single song from the show last night. Even when I woke up on the train, it was Raul singing ‘Being Alive’ in my head, but the closest I could come to PQ when I tried to recall the songs was the theme from Riverdance. I remember thinking ‘that was really pretty’ a few times during the performance, and then the theme was gone. Could we have crammed in any more 5/4 time? I guess I still expect to leave a musical humming a tune from it.

The book? I can’t remember the last time I had to work so hard to follow a story. It was way too predictable in some places, the dialogue made no sense in others, and it just never came together. Then it just ended and we were in bows. Uh, huh? At least I get a libretto at the opera. Last night I needed aspirin and a scorecard. The show seems to be designed around tableaus or carefully conceived moments, and the book and lyrics were merely a means to get there. We got an Edsel. I just couldn’t like this *show*.

Now, on to the production. I am a big fan of Eugene Lee and everyone is allowed to make a mistake. I think he used up his quota here. The projections were beautiful but inconsistent, and when I got bored, I started looking for Han Solo trapped in the carbonite wall sections. In fact, much of the set was inconsistent, with every trip to the ship different. I can understand why the capstan wasn’t always there, to allow for the dance numbers, but why did we get a pinrail in Act II but no railing in Act I? OK, I have sailed tall ships, and I understand that this is theatre, not the HMS Rose, but from a design point of view, the lack of consistency and integrity between scenes on the same setting was disturbing. And does Mel brooks know someone stole Young Frankenstein’s castle cutout? On the other hand, some of the people around me laughed at the ‘cartoonish’ painting of the walls for Elizabeth’s palace when that was, in fact, the exact style and was well executed. Can someone tell me what purpose the manger served atop the sky representation over the proscenium? I kept hoping Terk would pop his head out of that little window, swing down, and save the show (OK, that’s my one gratuitous Tarzan reference, sorry).

The lighting was often breathtaking and Ken Posner certainly deserves a Tony nomination for his outstanding work here. Likewise, Martin Pakledinaz’s costumes were marvelous and certainly worthy of the highest praise. Someone commented about Elizabeth’s dresses in another thread. I refer you back to the first song she sings, which sets the character of Elizabeth I quite accurately (Yes, that IS a compliment for the book), which is all about image and propriety, and later the pots and paints for which she is still well known. The Elizabethan costumes were dead on accurate, and while they were a glaring contrast to our happy Irish pirates and peasantry, was that not the statement that brought the show to its climax? And a rare tip of the hat to the wigmakers, well done!

Ah now for my part in the show, the sound absorber! As I said, the Hilton is a barn, and you can’t accurately define sound levels without people in the house. Last night was rough, but I suspect it was the first time the house was filled to capacity, and I applaud the producers for running the AM NY deal if only to let the techs work with a full house . The sound design was spotty but I know that will improve with time. I was concerned that it was often hard to understand some of the lyrics, though, and I am not sure how much of that was miking and how much was the actors diction.

Finally, the staging… eh. It never came together cohesively for me. It was like the dancers would come on, the director would hand things off to the choreographer, and go out to Starbucks. Don’t get me wrong, the dancing was awesome, but it didn’t always support the story. Again, it was moment to moment, tableau to tableau, with no connective tissue kinda thing. And the show needs an ending, please. Frank Galati’s staging did not account for some of the poor sightlines, and from my seat on house right, I couldn’t see Grace at all in ‘She Who Has All’, He also failed to make good use of the few interesting set elements.

And so… the performances… oops! Out of space! Join us after this commercial break from our sponsor. The review gets better!

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:58am

Welcome back, sorry for the long review of the show and production elements but where else could I do this?

In a recent discussion of another show, I lamented the awful story but rejoiced in an ensemble who did their absolute best with a bucket of lemons and made lemonade. Well, The Pirate Queen is another example of a cast doing just this. They have overcome the material to deliver all-around great performances. Needless to say, Stephanie J. Block was an awesome Grace O'Malley, but even Julia Child would have problems working with the thin gruel she was given to serve. Her singing, dancing, acting, and swordplay were all well handled, and I can’t wait to see her again when she has something to sing about. She was perfect for the role, it’s too bad the role was so imperfect.

Welcome to Broadway, Hadley Fraser (Tiernan)! He has a beautiful, expressive voice and he’s got serious acting chops. ‘I'll Be There’ struck me as one of the show’s best performances but I can’t remember how the song goes. Know what I mean? His chemistry with Stephanie was palpable, and I suspect their performances will only get better and better.

OK, far be it from me to spark controversy (*cough* *cough*), but the highlight of the show for me was Jeff McCarthy was as Dubhdara. He simply commanded the stage whenever he was on it. Even when he was in semi-darkness, steering the ship during ‘Here On This Night’, you felt his presence. Don’t blame him for his Fantine-esque death scene, he didn’t write it, but he sold Act I and I knew Act II would be that much more painful without him. He was in fine voice, with a tangible intensity, capable of both determination and tenderness, I just wish I could remember what it was he was singing. Kudos to the wigmaker who prepared his leonine mane.

Linda Balgord was awesome as young Queen Elizabeth, with a beautiful voice and fine acting, but her diction while singing was a little fuzzy. Part of that may have been the sound, as she certainly commands the range. I was completely sold on her interpretation of the young queen who has gotten so much screen and tv coverage these last few years. She is a talent to watch out for.

I wasn’t buying Marcus Chait as Donal O'Flaherty. He was the weakest performance of the otherwise fine cast. He just seemed hesitant about everything, his timing seemed off on some of his lines, and he was… well, kinda klunky. He should have borrowed some oil from William Youmans as Bingham, who had oiliness in spades, sang well, never ceased to entertain, and deserved a much better written conclusion for his role. One mark of a truly great actor is how well they act while being sung at, not with, and during ‘I Surrender’, I found myself watching Bingham far more closely than Tiernan. Nice job!

OK, so you go to the trouble to import one of Ireland’s most beloved voices, give her several beautiful feature solos, and then bury her in the program book? Can someone tell me why Áine Uí Cheallaigh, who played Evleen, and was featured in eight songs is buried in the Playbill instead of listed up front with the featured cast? What an amazing voice, can we keep her? Please? Likewise,
Joseph Mahowald had quite a bit to do and sing as Chieftan O’Flaherty, why was he snubbed? He has a rich voice and good timing, great job!

OK, more controversy. Eoin, uh, why? The kid has no lines, doesn’t sing, no ‘Awwwww that’s adorable’ moments, just runs to mommy twice. Before you paint me a grumpy old curmudgeon, which I am, I have no problem with child roles. There are some amazing kids on the boards these days but this role makes no sense to me and it keeps a nine year old up past his bedtime for no reason (er, two of them). It might have been more effective to have Grace storm on after seeing her son (offstage), indignant and outraged, see the reflection in her clan, put that much more oomph into Lament, and then on to the end of the show. For what it’s worth, though, Christopher Grey Misa, er, ran and hugged like a pro. Enjoy your Equity card, kiddo!

And now… to the Ensemble. You guys rocked! You sang well, danced well and yes acted well. I was looking for the ‘dancers who sing’ and the ‘singers who dance’ but you made the line so fuzzy! Yes, the chamber singers were awesome, as were the featured dancers, but everyone proved to be a triple threat and I applaud you all. I know this show requires a lot of energy but you brought it. OK, none of you were singing upside down, but the clogging and swordplay made up for it. Just one thing. I don’t know if anybody told you this, but you’re not going to move that big ship anywhere with those tiny oars. Fine job, all of you!

So, there’s my way-too-long review. I’m scheduled to see the Pirate Queen again next week (a friend already bought the tickets and he knows I don’t have a dentist, so I can’t schedule a root canal). I hope to come back with an ‘I was wrong’ report because I REALLY want this show to succeed. The cast brings so much talent to the table, I just don’t know if they can overcome the book as well as other shows with bad books have. We have shows with great books that die at the hands of tired casts (BatB right now comes to mind) and shows with weak books kept alive with great casts (Tarzan). In the Richard Rogers, this should could survive without a hummable tune or coherent story but I just don’t know if they can fill enough seats in a huge house like the Hilton for long. Then again, isn’t the Grinch coming back to steal the theatre next winter?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:00pm

Well done!!!

[danhattan]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:10pm

Thanks for the review! I had so much fun reading it. I'm glad you enjoyed the cast so much! I agree with you on all of your character assesments. As for Joseph Mahowald his role was recently added to help the story line. He was in the ensemble when I saw it in Chicago so that might explain the "snub." I'm sure he will get his credit when the show is frozen. Also, I believe the set's Proscenium is supposed to be the Globe Theatre. I would recognize that roof of painted stars anywhere. Being that the Globe was erected for Queen Elizabeth I think it's a really interesting set choice. Looking forward to reading your review on your 2nd go around!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:14pm

Lord, that was long.
I'm waiting for the PQ lovers to come in here and yell at your for hating their show when you liked Tarzan (of all things!).

Thanks for the review!
:)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:18pm

thanks so much for this review.

[justafan2]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:22pm

Shakespearean, you did your homework. Not only did you give a well-thought out review, but you gave much info on characters, actors, performance numbers. How did you absorb all of that in one viewing? I have tix to see it in a few months and so I appreciate your input.
(ps---i'm a dental hygienist---could've appointed you for a root canal) :)

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:28pm

Thanks guys. I'm a theatre lover. I mean, I just love theatre, whether it's Broadway or three kids in the backyard with a sheet for a curtain and their collie as MacBeth. It pains me to write anything negative so I'm glad that I can find the good in almost anything (except maybe Harold Pinter's 'The Homecoming'... long story). I tried hard to be objective, to paint the good with the same brush strokes as the... less than good.

I know it was long but thanks for taking the time to read it. I completely missed the visual reference to the Globe (duh, me) so thank you, a lot of the proscenium design makes a LOT more sense to me now. The group next to me had some funny comments, maybe I'll pop over to that thread and share some later. I appreciate your patience, everyone.

So let me make the final sum up clear... I didn't like the show. I really enjoyed the production. Broadway, for me, is all about the performances. You can joke about 'Christopher Plummer Reads the Yellow Pages' but I'd probably buy a ticket. I'd happily go to see these guys in anything except The Homecoming. :)

[fachedaluna]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:40pm

Although I may disagree with much of what your review said...I did appreciate how it was written. I found that you still were able to see some good in this production and not just what you felt was wrong with it.

Thanks for giving a review with some humor and sensitivity.

Hey, being closely related to dentistry...I take objection to the root canal reference. LOL

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:42pm

Shakesperean- Thanks for a nice & well thought review- You & others might have save me $$ and 1 trip to NYC with your reviews-J*

[ashley0139]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 12:44pm

Thank you for your review! I'm ok with a review being negative as long as the review backs up his or her opinions and is relatively unbiased. All of which you were. This review actually helped me. That's why I usually like Munk's reviews, even though I don't usually agree with them. But they are always supported and thorough. Wonderful review!