The Pirate Queen 11/1- Page 2

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 7:45pm

My friend who saw the show last night (11/2) said that there was a talkback with Galati after the show. Sorry if this has been going on the whole run, I hadn't heard about this until he told me. He was pretty tired when we talked and all he said that Frank said about changes was that he wanted to include more Irish dance.

My friend was pretty dissapointed with the show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 11:10pm

It supposedly is in trouble according to Reidel' s column

Interesting to see if it makes it or if it becomes another Martin Guerre

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 11:54pm

Roxy, we do not have the luxury of Broadway, the audience is enthused, but we know that changes are necessary!

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 6:17am

DId anyone else get the sense that Riedel hasn't actually seen the show? I thought that people who haven't seen The Pirate Queen all love it.

"but we know that changes are necessary!"

Everyone knew that changes were necessary for Martin Guerre as well. Cameron knew it needed major work, and he sunk plenty of money into it. I found Riedel's column to be really depressing.

"Doherty says the focus is on telling the story more clearly and more dramatically."

The focus should be on actually coming up with a compelling story, not clarifying the nonsense they've got now. These producers appear to think that if they throw enough money at this show their current creative team will eventually figure something out. An excess of money and a lack of creative inspiration can be a dangerous combination.

"We had a plan of action in place before we opened."

Good luck.

Updated On: 11/4/06 at 06:17 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 10:55am

I wish it luck & hope it makes it. As a matter of fact my wife & I are looking forward to seeing it as she loves Les Miz

[Popular]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:27am

"These producers appear to think that if they throw enough money at this show their current creative team will eventually figure something out. An excess of money and a lack of creative inspiration can be a dangerous combination.

Watch today's CASTCOM and see if you still feel the same.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 2:16pm

"Watch today's CASTCOM and see if you still feel the same."

Which one do you mean? I just watched a brief monologue by ensemble member Michael James Scott, who seems like a very nice person and is fun to watch in the show. That's the latest clip I could find and I doubt it's what you're referring to. I think yesterday's was the Irish choreographer.

Of course my earlier comments were based on Moya Doherty's statements quoted in Riedel's column and other public statements I've read. These could be quotes taken out of context, or just what's being said for public consumption.

[Popular]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 3:08pm

Hmmm, they had one up of the producers responding to the critics and they took it down. Anyway, in it they mentioned that (and I'm roughly paraphrasing here!) they weren't necessarily surprised by most of what was said because the things people were complaining about were the same things they too aren't entirely pleased with. And I think they listed a lot of the things they still wanted to focus on improving for NY.

They put up a new one with the stage manager instead.
Updated On: 11/4/06 at 03:08 PM

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 3:21pm

Reidel is such a jerk. The man is rude. He doen't like anyone or anything and seems to love hurting poeple's feelings simply because he can.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 6:56pm

"Watch today's CASTCOM and see if you still feel the same."

Of course this got me curious. I wonder if they took the clip down because it seemed overly negative? I'm sure the producers want to keep the cast's morale up, given that there might be months of hard work still to come.

I did a little searching online. Is this the clip about the PQ reviews you were referring to?
Pirate Queen reviews

[Popular]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 7:24pm

I'm sorry you think that's funny.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 9:33pm

Popular, you can promote your favorite Pirate Queen video clips all you want and I'll promote mine. I happen to think that 1940s Universal stock footage of a trainwreck is a very appropriate metaphor for the reviews that the Chicago opening of Pirate Queen received.

"I'm sorry you think that's funny."

I'm sorry you don't, but it is refreshing to read you commenting on something that you've actually seen.

[Popular]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 10:25pm

Oh give me a break. I haven't been promoting my favorite Pirate Queen video clips. I've simply been informing the board of when the ones on the CASTCOM site are updated. And I've never once stated my opinion on the show, I've only been sharing and discussing what others have had to say (both the good AND not so good, mind you!).

Perhaps if and when the show opens up to better reviews in NY I'll look back and find some humor in your video of choice. For now I don't. I think there is a line of tackiness that you crossed, but we can just agree to disagree on that.

You seem to be taking pleasure in the bad reviews and in trying to get under my skin... it's getting old. We can have adult discussions if you wish, but I wont egg you on with defensive responses from now on.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:35pm

Is Stephanie doing weekend matinees? I want to take my son and although Katy Voytko is a Chicago Diva, I would rather see Stephanie.

[Galilee]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:45pm

From what I know,as of right now, Stephanie is doing all shows.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:59pm

I went on a Saturday matinee and Stephanie was in.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 11/5/06 at 12:04am

I really love this show! The reviews are not relevant to me.

I also need to get back to Wicked.

[kelzama]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 9:44am

While I didn't love it, I thought the show has potential. I found it captivating from the wedding to intermission. Some numbers need to be trimmed down, others need to be cut, some simply shuffled to a more effective spot in the show. There's not much of an emotional hook.

It would help, for instance $spoiler$ to discover that the husband's a jerk after the wedding, instead of before. Establish more emotional connection for the audience to Grania and Tiernan's relationship. Give us a reason to care about Grania. Find out just why we should be rooting for Grania before the 4th song. Stop telling us about her balls. Get the bad guys to be a really really bad guys. Get an 11 o'clock that doesn't lull you to sleep.

The fight scenes could use more polish, more grit, less apparent choreography. So many elements strive for realism, the fight scenes seem comical in contrast.

The talent of this cast is mindboggling. The choreography is stunning, and I wish there was more dancing. The sets and lighting are terrific. The costuming is eyecandy, historically accurate. Worth bringing binoculars to see the details, no matter what row your seats are in. The leather coats are to die for.

There's a great musical somewhere in here, if a proper book can be written. Right now, it's OK.

Princess Bride fans will note that QE's evil henchman bears a striking resemblance, both in appearance and demeanor, to the six fingered man, which pulled me out of the musical and into the movie, awaiting the arrival of Inigo.
Updated On: 11/6/06 at 09:44 AM

[Lady Italy]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 10:36am

I've seen the PQ six times now and have enjoyed it each time. FYI for all the nae-sayers out there. The creative team is currently reworking the show. As I've stated before, there are many changes coming for the NY showing. In two months many many things can happen.

TechEverlasting...your harsh words are not appropriate. By no means is this show a "Train Wreck". The theatre is full each night and the words the critics express is more for sensationalism than truth. And, to quote a couple of show viewers around me on 11/1..."I don't care what the critics have to say...this is a good show"

TechEverlasting I have a question? When was the last time you saw The Pirate Queen? If you haven't seen it in the last week or so, the foundation of your comments are weak!!

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 11:23am

kelzama, I agree with every word of your post, although personally I enjoyed the show from the wedding through to the christening. The novel Pirate Queen is based on, "Grania, She King of the Irish Seas" is wonderful. After reading it, I realized that most of the elements in the Pirate Queen's book that don't work didn't come from the novel, but were made up by Boublil. I hope this source novel will be reexamined as the Pirate Queen is reworked.

I am astounded that six weeks into previews those "balls" lyrics haven't been rewritten yet. I do see enormous potential here, which is why I guess I won't shut up about it. If this was another hopeless "Dance of the Vampires" fiasco I'd just laugh and shrug my shoulders.

Do you think this is fixable in three months?

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 11:25am

Popular do you plan on actually seeing the show?

[kelzama]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 12:01pm

Tech, I think it's exceedingly fixable. There are more than a few moments of brilliance. The problems I had were with the book. I knew the legend of Grania, having studied the Irish dramatic movement of the late 19th early 20th century, so I know the substance is there for a fantastic story. I think that three months' time is plenty for retooling, reshaping and whittling. The creatives will get it there. After all, look how far the show's come during previews.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 12:21pm

kelzama, I hope you're right. I could see a rewritten Pirate Queen being very successful, but I don't think what they have now would do well on Broadway.

"After all, look how far the show's come during previews."

What do you mean? I saw one of the first previews, and I saw it again two weeks later, about a week before the critics reviewed it. As far as I can tell this show hasn't gotten anywhere in previews. They've made it a bit faster and rewritten a few lines, but the same fundamental book and score problems they had at the first preview are still there. I'm sure the dancing, vocal performances and technical details have all been improved these past few weeks, but those were never really problems.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 12:42pm

and the words the critics express is more for sensationalism than truth.

You are joking, right? Even the people here on this board who like the show acknowledge the fact that it is deeply flawed. Why would the critics lie in the negative reviews? If anything I would think they would tend to OVER praise it to see their names with pull quotes on the ads. This rationalization for the bad reviews is just absurd.

[Starlight2]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 3:28pm

I haven't had a chance to read this board for a while, but I'd like to comment now that I've had read what others have written....I think the thing to keep in mind is that this time in Chicago is for previews....it's for looking at the show and getting input from others about what's working and what's not....which is exactly what's taking place. The creatives are listening to what the audience and critics are saying and they are making the appropriate changes. (Actually, even before outside input was given, they already knew they would be making changes before it opens in New York.) If I'm not mistaken, all shows go through previews before finding their home on Broadway. This time during previews will only serve to strengthen a show that, in my opinion, is already wonderful in so many ways.

I've been to see The Pirate Queen two times....and I'm planning on going back again before it leaves Chicago. This is one of the most talented casts I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The ensemble is marvelous. Their voices blend together so beautifully...and powerfully! All those who had solos were amazing to listen to. Stephanie.....climbing, swinging, dancing, sword fighting, singing (among other things!).....she has a lot to do on stage and she does it all with such outstanding acting ability....in my opinion, she should be nominated for a Tony. She has such a beautiful voice and she played the role of Grania/Grace so well. The interaction between Stephanie and Hadley throughout the show was wonderful. I enjoyed Hadley's singing as well....so pleasing to listen to and so powerful. Linda....she also has an amazing voice...fits perfectly for Queen Elizabeth. Costumes, lighting, special effects....all fantastic....and the dancing is a joy to watch.

I know there are things that the creatives are working on. That's to be expected in a show that's in previews.....but I already love this show now. I can't wait to see how incredible it will be in New York!