Yet ANOTHER Pirate Queen Review- 4/4

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:23pm

Yesterday, The Pirate Queen, a nice looking show with a bloated book started off with a bang. I was captivated by Stephanie J. Block, until she was replaced by her stand-by halfway through the first act. I felt a little saddened, even though I knew this was the day before opening night, and she had to conserve her voice, so I do definitely understood where the directors, and everyone else involved were coming from, but I just sat there like, oh, okay. She’s getting replaced. Which ended up being fine, I just wanted Stephanie to “come into her element,” because she’s a real performer, who went out there anyway. Kudos to her. Bad timing, I guess. I have to say, everyone in the cast is very talented, and seem to be directed well. There is very little dialogue, which wasn’t written too well , and everything else was sung through, sort of “Les Miz- water style.” I really thought at the beginning, they would actually break out into a chorus of “Do You Hear the People Sing,” and you could definitely tell what was going to rhyme with what, start with heart, tears with years, etc the melodies were beautiful though. However, the standout person I’d have to say, is Hadley Fraser, who played Thiernan. His voice was gorgeous, and played his part well. However, his character, and all of the other characters except for Grace- I felt had no emotional depth at all, which made me not really think of this as a show, but more as a soap opera, all of the deaths felt anti-climactic, and overall, I just wasn’t moved. Would I see this again? Maybe, but so I could see Stephanie with her full power that she has.

[rocker05]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 4:05pm

JustABroadwaybaby2- I felt the same way. The book was flawed and I never felt any emotion for any of the characters except for maybe Grace and Tiernan. It was really overdramatic as well in some parts, that I had to laugh a bit. The sets and lighting were great though. I will go back for Stephanie, but the show itself just wasn't one of my favorites. I was happy I saw it though. Not sure how the critics will respond to it, it could be mixed.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 4:14pm

I agree completely. No emotional pull at all in this show. I just didn't care what happened to these characters. Too bad, because the story is fascinating and should have quite the dramatic impact.

Besides some of the choreography and costumes, this show just lies flat.

It will be interesting to see what the critics have to say tomorrow!

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 5:25pm

Oh God, I thought my opinions were just me!

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:03pm

One of my friends saw it yesterday and said it was the most boring thing she's ever seen.

She's your general person who sees shows, or goes into NYC to see them (she probably goes to 5 shows a year) and hated it. So.. Pirate Queen will probably not last.

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:11pm

It's Boublil and Schonberg, it'll last for a while, but probably not a long time.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:45pm

if the reviews kill it(as i suspect they will) it will close within 6 months as its an expensive show to run

[rocker05]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 7:13pm

So far, the reviews look quite grim. Talkin' Broadway slammed Stephanie (which was uncalled for). The rest of the reviewers were mixed to negative (well so far just the SF Gate and AM New York critics). Hadley Fraser got raves though. It it just being referred to as mediocre, and I agree. Still can't believe how Talkin' Broadway raved about the show.