Thanks for the response

I was just reading a Legally Blonde thread when a question was raised...

TechEverlasting posted...

"Good Boy" was replaced by "Ireland." This brings up something I've been wondering about. From what I've heard the Ireland number is hilarious (including a line that goes something like "and we'll dance without moving our arms") and there's also a Riverdance parody elsewhere in the show. Has this material been part of the show throughout its development? If not, does anyone think it's been put in there deliberately to poke fun at "The Pirate Queen"? My guess is that NY audiences will assume this is a spoof on Pirate Queen. Even if it wasn't planned, I think it's a hysterical coincidence.

I have never heard of a Broadway show spoofing or making fun of another show that hasn't even opened. Weither it's cute/funny/light hearted or not...Has anyone heard of another show doing something like this?

*edited in response to latter posts. Thanks for the discussion.

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 08:51 AM

Because I don't think everybody reads the Legally Blonde appreciation thread. To me this is a question for everyone on the boards and I think people should know about it.

Pirate Queen's getting a lot of coverage and I think it's smart of Jerry to use it in his show. Making fun of another show - opened or not - is no insult. It's a back handed compliment!

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I recently saw LEGALLY BLONDE and I wondered the same thing when the IRELAND reprise came. The first time Paulette sings Ireland, I thought it was a funny coincidence that there are two shows coming out this year that feature Ireland. But then when the Riverdance/Lord of The Dance choreo came in during the reprise I knew what they we're really poking fun at. The number is cute and got some big laughs but you have to wonder if the cheap joke is worth it. The creative team had to know what they were doing. Even if it was unintentional I would imagine they would have realized by now that comparisons would be made. Will random New York audiences make the connection? I don't think so. I think the shows will draw completely different audiences. Do I think it's "beyond tacky"? Omigod... totally!

Satirical comedies are the best comedies in my opinion. It would be different if Legally Blonde was full of satire. Spamalot and Urinetown are musicals based on spoof and satire. Legally Blonde is trying to be a sincere musical about a valley girl blonde who fights stereotypes and finds her true worth. If you ask the cast of THE PIRATE QUEEN I am sure they don't appreciate the jab. It's not a big deal but it seems like a low blow.

I totally agree with you Rath! Also, when did Riverdance suddenly morph into The Pirate Queen. Did I miss something?

I feel like danhattan has suddenly turned into the Bush administration.


Edited for spelling

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 09:35 AM

I think it has NOTHING to do with The Pirate Queen at all. I think it is a major spoof on RIVERDANCE not PQ. Also, it is a spoof on it'self of Paulette following in love with an Irish guy and we all know that we associate with Ireland and RIVERDANCE...just because them made themselves so famous for it. Again, I do not not think it was beacuse of PQ just a coincidence.

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Good points guys.

Craig- You're right. Making fun of Riverdance is certainly NOT new material. It's OLD and has been beaten like a dead horse. I expect more creativity from such a promising talent as Jerry Mitchell. Larry O'Keefe might be Irish. It would explain the randomness of the song Ireland. Good point there.

Husk Charmer- I hadn't really taken into account SPAMALOT and URINETOWN. Thanks for bringing that point up.

Mamie- Let's hope your right about it being a back handed compliment. I like your thinking.

Like I've said before...I hope both shows do well. It just seems that for some reason people are pitting them against each other, as if there isn't room on Broadway for both.

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 09:44 AM

So, you basically started a post condemning Jerry Mitchell ("Shame on Jerry Mitchell") and now all of a sudden you have "flip-flopped" on your original post.

I agree, you are like the Bush Administration.

"At this point, the Pirate Queen is a non-entity. I SERIOUSLY doubt that Legally Blonde was making fun at their expense."

I completely agree with you, tazber. To most people who aren't in the Broadway circuit (which is 99% of the population), The Pirate Queen is absolutely nothing. Heck, even to me, I could care less about the show. I highly, highly doubt there's anything going on here about other Broadway shows; otherwise, you can be sure there'd have been some joke about how tacky it is to have a grey garden.

I thought John Kerry was the flip-flopper?

First of all, I do enjoy seeing my posts quoted, so thanks to Danhattan.

I think "Ireland" is a cute little character number, and from what I've heard the "Lord of the Dance" segment is also a lot of fun. I was curious to know if this had been part of the show from the early workshops, but the fact that it wasn't doesn't establish anything.

No matter what, I still think this is harmless fun. If anything it's more like a product placement than an insult, and could just as easily be viewed as a plug for Pirate Queen. Does the San Francisco LB Playbill say anything like "Promotional consideration provided by Moya Doherty and John McColgan"?

Edit: Shame on me for my avatar though.

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Updated On: 2/21/07 at 08:16 PM

Tech - diggin' the av.