The Truth About Pirate Queen (A Review) 10/18/06

[soulman83]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:04am

Ok, i was kind of unsure whether or not i should put up a quick review on the pirate queen tonight. Here it is though:

So, i was excited when my friend called me up and said i needed to get downtown because he got me a ticket for pirate queen. he is such a sweetie. i was excited because i love stephanie block and i cant get on this website without seeing something about the show and my theatre conservatory is 4 blocks away from the theatre so it makes perfect sense that they would want to give out free pirate queen tickets. People in Chicago are all about supporting chicago theatre so...yeah.
Okay, getting to it. i really must say...it was okay. thats my honest reaction. the show itself is just okay. i honestly felt like i dont care as much about the story and the music and dialogue doesnt suck me into the show by any means. THE PERFORMANCES SUCK ME INTO THE SHOW. The Ensemble was absolutely amazing. the energy was up and you could just tell they were thrilled to be a part of this cast and this show. Which can kind of make you sad when you dont love it. i must say that i didnt go into the show with any expectations or anything. i felt like the first 20 minutes of the show i just didnt really have a clue what the hell was going on. the first song seemed so long and i just wanted it to stop. I wasnt really taken by the story or music until the scene 9 song. The song is called "I'll be there" and Hadley Fraser sings it beautifully. His character is lovely and he is just brilliant and i could definitely see him be the next big thing. his performance in the show made me very happy. Stephanie's big number comes shortly after and the woman just went there for me. at first i was like...you're kidding me. Stephanies voice isnt meant to be contained. She just knocked it out of the park and i do believe that she might be grabbing a new boyfriend called Tony this year. this is definitely looking like her year if they really clean up this show before broadway. I mean the woman can sing and definitely ACT...which is refreshing because some stars just cant. Stephanie is truly more than i could have hoped for. This is definitely Hadley and Stephanie's show and they just rock it out of the park. As far as the rest of the show, The dancing was wonderful. The Audience went nuts over the dancing. the ensemble rocks. Besides that i didnt really like the rest. i mean, i am sad that i didnt care about the story and that i didnt care ultimately about the set and the show. i mean bleh. I want this show to be amazing but it could use some cuts and rewrites and a lot of cleaning up. The sword fight were waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to slow. i wanted to shoot myself in the head. thats all from me for now. i am exhausted. Best of luck to the cast because they are worthy of an amazing show and this could very well be with some clean up. bed time. if you have questions, i am down.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 1:55pm

soulman - thanks for taking the time to write even though you were exhausted. Any thoughts changed or forgotten that you want to post now that you've rested up? Seems like everyone is agreed on the brilliance of the show visually, and performance-wise. And the rest is changing everday... so exciting!

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 2:15pm

I agree with you completely, soulman, except you put it way nicer than I did on a different thread. I also felt like I had no idea what was going on at the beginning of the show as well and no idea what we as the audience were supposed to be hoping or waiting for. I know that I will get pounced on for being negative again for a show that everyone is so rabidly excited about, but I honestly don't understand what the raves are about from people. I'm honestly wondering if they've seen the show. I agree that the ensemble and the stars are fantastic, but by the end I just wanted the show to be over. I hate that I don't like the show, but it needs major amounts of work in order to get any recognition at the Tonys.

[TheBoyfromChi]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 3:14pm

I had the hardest time understanding anything Queen Elizabeth was singing. Did anyone else feel that way too? And yes, I also thought the sword fights were slow.
I had a wonderful time at the show yesterday, but as I left, I too realized that it had nothing to do with the story itself.
Could someone help clear up a couple things for me? Who exactly is Evleen? What's her connection to Grania? And where does Donal come from? He pretty much appeared for Boys Will Be Boys and in the next scene is marrying her...I figured I missed something.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:12pm

I've seen teh show twice now and had no trouble hearing/understanding a thing anyone was singing.


I wonder if that has anything to do with being first row center both times.....


i'm seeing it Nov. 2 from the balcony, I'll tell you if I have trouble.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:17pm

I am SOOOO looking forward to this. I want it to do well. I LOVE B & S's work. I admire SJB. Can't for the chance to see/hear this for myself

[queenbee2]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:21pm

Boy from Chi-

I agree with you that it is very difficult to understand Queen Elizabeth's lyrics, and I think it is a huge problem with the show. Linda is great in the role, but we need to hear what she's saying to care about the conflict between she and Grace. Hopefully it's something they're working on.

Also, I just responded to the Pirate Queen Update thread regarding the character of Donal. I too am hoping they can clear up for us more of who he is and where he comes from, why he and Grace have to get married, and what pushes him to make the hateful decisions he does. I found him to be one of the more interesting characters, but I too wanted to know more about him.

As far as Eveleen, I got that she was sort of a midwife type, elder of the clan. Almost a mother figure to Grace. I enjoyed her singing at the funeral, although it goes on quite a bit longer than necessary, but as a character, she isn't very developed. It's more of a featured role in the ensemble I think, than one of the principal characters of the piece.

-QB

[Lady Italy]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 5:00pm

Soulman~

Sorry you didn't care for the story line of the show, but I do agree that the performers are one of the very best I've seen (this includes the ensemble) in a very long time.

To answer your question regarding Eveleen and Donal:

Eveleen is one of the elders of the clan. She has the duty to carry on the druied rituals/traditions that the clan embraces. This is in collaboration with their Christian beliefs. That is why you only see her at certain times in the show. A bit like a priestess.

As for Donal: He is from another very prominent clan which Grace's dad wants to join forces and make an alliance...and as in most of european history...matching one wealthy house to another wealthy house leads to more land - riches and fieldty (alligence/strength in numbers). I believe one of the scenes brings this out...but I'm not sure since I saw the show even before preview opening.

I understand there will be many many more changes done to the show, from now until NYC opening. Just keep the faith...I'm sure the final product will be everything you were hoping it to be.

PS: Also, for those of you who were questioning the birth scene and it's credibility. There are documented historical facts regarding this scene. She did have a child on the ship, they were attacked by the British and one hour after giving birth she did fight as depicted. Another historical fact was the throwing of the handkerchief into the fire. Grace actually did this in front of Queen Elizabeth.

There are other documented facts within the show, but these two I am positive of... and must be in the show to maintain the historical status.

Hope this answers some of the questions inquiring minds want to know.
Updated On: 10/19/06 at 05:00 PM

[soulman83]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:50pm

After resting on the show, i still feel the same way as last night. i just think it needs a lot of work for it to be well recieved in NY and we know how the critics of new york are. i am heading back to home to NY soon so i will definitely be able to catch the show again if they have a rush or lottery or whatever. anyway, i couldnt understand a word queen elizabeth, the book isnt well written and the music is just a little boring. i wish the best for this show for the cast sake. i mean lennon had a great cast too, but hey. funny, i enjoyed lennon way more than this show. thats frustrating.

[alterego]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 12:25am

From the other side of the world...is there much interest in this show? I've read/seen nothing that makes me feel excited about a new show.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:35am

OMG, so if broadway.com is correct...the Pirate Queen's official bway opening night is April 2nd..My effin 21st bday...

NO shows EVER open on my bday (believe me, I've checked on Ibdb.com in their little date finder thing!)...

and it just so happens to be this show, which I hold so dearly...

now, can I make it to NYC on my bday?

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 10:46am

My parents saw "Pirate Queen" last night. My father said the show needs TONS of work before moving. He said if the show were to move to NYC now it would be eaten alive. One good thing he did say was he thought he noticed a Uilleann pipe with the orchestra. Those of you who do not know what that is it is an Irish bagpipe.

My mother hated it, but she is a Park avenue snob so that comes as no big shock.

"popular" you seem to be all about this show. Do you know what kind of pipes they are using?

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 10:55am

One thing's for sure, when it comes to the Pirate Queen I'm not "popular", but I did chat with some guys in the band when I saw the show and can answer this one.

They are indeed using a Uilleann pipe player, his name is Kieran O'Hare. While some of the musicians were brought over from Ireland, Kieran is a Chicago native. There's an exposed pipe solo right before the funeral scene that is just stunning. Kieran also plays the Irish whistles.

Although I've criticized many of the Pirate Queen's songs, the Irish music in the show is wonderful and they've got a world class band there. I also want to mention how superb Aine ui Cheallaigh is. She plays Evleen and sings a few haunting solos in Gaelic.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 10:59am

Ciaron - what kind of theatre DOES one enjoy as a Park Avenue snob?

No clue about the pipes, sorry. I'm actually learning about the show from CASTCOM and from YOU guys. There are others here who are just as "all about" the show as I am, if not more, who have actually seen the show. Maybe one of them could answer (maybe look in your playbill?).

EDIT: You're too quick, Tech! :) Thanks for the info. Updated On: 10/21/06 at 10:59 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 11:01am

What makes this thread "The Truth"?

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 11:05am

For those who are curious the Uilleann pipes are the distinctive instrument that sound sort of like a sheep bleeting and were heard at the beginning of the movie "Titanic".

I think Uilleann might be the Gaelic word for "elbow". These pipes are played by squeezing bags with one's elbows. The player doesn't blow on anything.

[soulman83]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 3:03pm

What doesnt make this the truth?

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 4:12pm

Ciaron - what kind of theatre DOES one enjoy as a Park Avenue snob?

Ummm well let's see.

Shows my mother hated:

La Cage
Hello Dolly
Phantom
Cats
Miss Saigon
Wicked

Shows she loved:

Carousel
Sweeney Todd
Follies
Company
Passion
Caroline
Avenue Q

You won't find too many "ladies who lunch" catching a sat. matinee of "The Phantom of the Opera". =)