re: Riedel -- High Fidelity & Pirate Queen in Trouble- Page 2

[temms]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 3:31pm

I can't help thinking that "High Fidelity" would have been the perfect musical for Ben Folds to write. I imagine tickets would be selling a little better, too. If anyone could have done an alternative rock musical about a slightly dorky straight guy with relationship problems, it's him.

Seeing as how it's a play ABOUT music snobs, it seems very odd that they spend the show singing music that those characters would want nothing to do with. I like the bits of the score that I've heard, but they have never struck me as being remotely a part of the universe of "High Fidelity". Perhaps I'll feel differently after seeing the show, but I've heard a lot of the score beyond the four songs on the promo CD and they're all in a similar vein.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 3:31pm

People being mean on BWW. Well, I never

Next thing you will be telling me is there is no Santa Claus

[EganFan2]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 3:36pm

>>>Does this arrogant man, (ever trying to pass himself off as a credible journalist) not realise how offensive it is to refer to them as "Frenchies"?

Maybe he has a Scarlet Pimpernel complex.

Anyway, too bad. I really thought this had the makings of a hit.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 3:42pm

"People being mean on BWW. Well, I never

Next thing you will be telling me is there is no Santa Claus"

That reminds me to buy my tickets for The Santa Clause 3. Thanks, Mr Roxy!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 4:05pm

Glad to have been of service.

I am sitting here after my procedure bored silly. I have to stay in all weekend as I have a catheter you know where after having a low grade tumor removed from my bladder. 3 months from now I go back to his office so he can make sure it is OK & not returning

Growing old is so much fun (not ) but than again the alternative is worse

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 4:35pm

T.M.I.

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 5:32pm

I guess this goes some way in explaining the note on the stage notes blog that was posted recently . . .

You might see nothing there, but a small speck of dust blowing past though the air… But sure as can be, though it’s not very nice, it seems to me that lightning’s struck twice. There’s been a mutiny on a ship at sea, and before you can blink and throw your guess in the ring, a man dressed in black will be the new king.

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 5:46pm

Updated On: 11/10/06 at 05:46 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 6:25pm

"Small speck of dust" is a Seussical reference. (The Who's in Seussical lived on a small speck of dust, too tiny to see, etc.).

Lightning striking twice refers to the rumor of Galati being replaced on Pirate Queen as he was on Seussical.

The Man in Black is Johnny Cash's nickname, and Richard Maltby directed Ring of Fire, last season's Johnny Cash musical revue. "Will be the new king" infers that Maltby is taking the reigns of Pirate Queen. (King/Queen. Get it?)

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 6:32pm

O o k, I get it now.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 6:42pm

And someone said that there were no theaters available so "The Producers" had to close so that "Young Frankenstein" could open. Looks like there may be two unexpected slots (just as I predicted...)

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 7:04pm

What's with the cryptic talk?

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 7:31pm

After seeing High Fidelity twice, including once right before it closed in Boston, I can't say I'm surprised. I just don't think there is any way the show can work.

I'd rather see the theater go to a more worthy musical. If the producers decide to go through with the Broadway opening, I can guarantee that this won't last long.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 10:00pm

I agree with Mr. Roxy that High Fidelity is far better suited for Off-Broadway, at least at this point. That's a pitiful sales figure, albeit unsurprising in the least.

Tough luck for The Pirate Queen. but hey, there have been shows with horrific preview periods that have turned out great - certainly won't be the first time....


...I'll wait for the reviews before blowing $100 though.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 10:02pm

High Fidelity had better completely rework the entire second act.... especially "Wonderful Love." Oy, what a BAD song!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 11/10/06 at 11:15pm

Seeing as how it's a play ABOUT music snobs, it seems very odd that they spend the show singing music that those characters would want nothing to do with.

Exactly. I think that's the fundamental flaw. Rob would NEVER sing those songs. God, no.

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 12:27am

Well, Margo, I will share that I, myself, didn't care much for the film HIGH FIDELITY (which is a shame as I enjoy Mr. Cusack's work.) I, personally, found the film grating, the snobbish record store employee characters highly irritating and the plot floundering. For me the film was half-baked, so the musicalization of it really holds no interest for me. In addition to the target audience of 20-something straight males, and I must concur with SweetSiren... the characters overall are tiresome, and Cusack's character's immature mindset and failings don't seem to be garnering interest.

I truly never saw why that film appealed to some people. But that's all just my personal opinion.

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 12:30am

"Seems like "Pirate Queen" is falling under the old "Martin Guerre" curse. I do hope they succeed though."


I saw the original MARTIN GUERRE in London before all the changes, and it was amazing... then they changed it and it wasn't good... I hope that doesn't happen with PIRATE QUEEN

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 12:36am

I don't understand the whole "I'll wait for reviews" mentality... why let someone else tell you what you like or don't like? Haven't you ever disagreed with a critic? Heck, most of the time the critics disagree with each other!

There are plenty of musicals loved by many [some even with long, money- making Broadway runs] that didn't get good reviews.

I wish people would make up their own minds.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 12:46am

"High Fidelity" is sort of a heterosexual "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Sometimes Reidel makes me laugh!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 1:01am

yeah
after bashing HF he compares it to a hit.
What's that about?

and Maltby is working on the "book", is he being considered a director replacement?
After ROF I Hope not.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 1:04am

^No, I doubt that.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 1:20am

Hey Virgil,

I loved both Hornby's book of "High Fidelity" and the film.

I can't wait to see the musical.

I think it's rather a smart idea. Time will tell.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 1:32am

Maybe the show can rely on it's amazing sets - or so I've heard - to boost ticket sales? Just turn it into a spectacle. Maybe get some Cats.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/11/06 at 1:42am

Hey, can we split this thread?

I'm dying to hear real reviews (i.e., people who have actually seen it) about the "Pirate Queen".

I already have tix to "High Fidelity".