A Day Beyond Belclare
Show: The Pirate Queen
Venue: Hilton Theatre
Date: March 28, 2007
I had been excited about this show since I saw the big billboard up in Times Square back in November. Something about the title and the woman looking over her shoulder was extremely enticing. Oh, and it didn't hurt that the musical was written by Boubil and Schoenberg... what did they do? Oh, right. WRITE LES MIS AND MISS SAIGON. Seriously, that shouldn't even be allowed. I was even MORE excited (if possible) when I discovered that NYU was selling orchestra seats via Ticket Central. So, my friend and I scored orchestra seats. Wow! To be on the same level as the performers! Watching a preview of this entirely new show, too, was exciting.
The set and the costumes of the show are amazing. There were SO many different sets, I was completely astounded. How did they have time to do them all? The costumes were beautiful. They definitely didn't cut corners there.
I loved the Irishness of this musical. The overture was beautiful and definitely had a forlorn Irish sound to it that brought to mind beautiful, green Ireland. (Not that I've ever been to Ireland... but you know what I mean.) The Irish jigging was so awesome! This was the most dance intensive musical I've ever seen and oh wow! The choreography was amazing and practically flawless. They seemed so in sync I was just amazed. How did they do that? I did catch in one scene though, an ensemble member who appeared to have lost step and was looking around her to try to catch back on. That was slightly amusing for me. But yeah, other than that, wow wow wow. The Irish jigging. The Irish jigging! I'm definitely a fan of the Irish jigging. If anything, I'd see it again just for the Irish jigging.
There was one scene I took offense too. It appears that slow motion is in. A lot of newer productions I've seen have incorporated a "slow motion" scene. Why? Les Mis has several. I admit, I laughed the first time I saw them. The case is true again here. But even that I could handle... except for one scene that my friend and I agreed must be changed: the weird pirate/soldier fight where the pirates and soldiers do pirouettes across the stage. (This is where you give me a blank stare.) I'm sorry, NO. NO SELF RESPECTING PIRATES SHOULD BE LEAPING ACROSS THE STAGE INTO THE ARMS OF A GRACEFUL DEATH. THAT IS JUST AN INSULT TO PIRATES.
So the musical itself. Well, Stephanie J. Block was simply amazing. Good god can that woman sing. And she was absolutely perfect for this role. I had heard some audio of her as Elphaba (uh... LEGALLY of course...)
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The closest it does come to achieving that (or perhaps achieving it completely) is Tiernan's solo, "I'll Be There." Two words:
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I'm not sure how I feel about how Stephanie's and Hadley's voices mixed. I'm pretty big on how harmonious voices sound together, especially for leads. Like in Wicked. Part of what made it work so well was that Kristin Chenoweth's and Idina Menzel's voices blended together beautifully. When I went, the Elphaba and the Glinda had vibratos that didn't exactly jive together and that had a rather nasty effect. Both Stephanie and Hadley have beautiful voices, but their vibratos didn't work well together for me when the songs were belty. When Steph went to head voice, it was much better, but I think they need to work on balancing the mics... you can't hear Steph at all. Hadley's voice just dominates.
It amused me to see them singing while their faces were so close to each other. Does it get weird? I mean they were both singing intensely and passionately (i.e., loudly)... was it annoying? Does it hurt? Is it painful?
I've also come to the conclusion that geniuses that Boubil and Schoenberg are (and I really do mean that), they cannot write a really good love duet. They came the closest in The Pirate Queen, I think. But come on. A Heart Full of Love? Sun and Moon? Not a fan. But, perhaps, it is personal preference. Really, I do love them. I love the scores. They're elegant, huge, and wash over you like a huge tidal wave... but not so much the love duets.
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But anyway, poor Marcus got a lackluster round of applause at his curtain call, mostly from audience members unsure of whether or not to applaud this man they loathed so much during the musical. Someone near the front booed, and booed loudly. Everyone laughed as Marcus turned in that direction. He seemed amused. The applause thickened a bit after that. I wonder what it's like to play a part where everyone hates you. Can't be fun.
Evleen, played by Aine Ui Cheallaigh, has some beautiful songs. Aine has a gorgeous voice! And her songs add to the authenticity and the "Irish feel". Her songs were some of my favorite. Very old school.
Like I said, I felt the beginning of Act I lagged a bit. I was kinda like mreh. Necessary character/plot development, however. It picked up pretty quickly, and the last two thirds of Act I were wonderful. The final scene in Act I is perhaps the best scene, accompanied by "Sail to the Stars," which is a huge ensemble piece that really just blows you away. The staging and lighting for that scene are mind-blowing as well. Act II was okay. Better than the beginning of Act I, but not quite as good as the latter part of Act I.
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William Youmans was likeably despicable in the role of the chauvinistic role of Lord Bingham, Elizabeth's advisor. It was weird for me, knowing that he played Doctor Dillamund in Wicked. I mean, how much more different of a role can you have?
My friend really liked all the "racy" scenes. (Friend is male.) There were quite a few. There was also a bit of sexual innuendo. "Boys'll Be Boys" most certainly suggest a lot of that. But as my friend said, "They allow that on Broadway?!" Oh! And they also said "bitch" and I gasped! Haha. Well, there were little girls in front of me and Stephanie promoted it as a family experience. And they said "bitch"!!
Overall, the story is decent. The musical is good. I think with some reworking, it could be even better. It's not the best musical ever, but it's not as bad as some people say it is. At least, I enjoyed it. I'd definitely go see it again, if just to hear Stephanie, Hadley, and Marcus sing. All in all, a very enjoyable experience. (The Irish jigging!!!) I also don't think I can make an accurate judgement on a musical of this scope and size without seeing it twice. So I may just have to do that.
3 comments:
OMG. I am SO totally jealous of you. For so many reasons. One, you live in NYC and get to see all the Broadway shows if you want - even the not-so-great ones. Two, you saw The Pirate Queen. Three, you saw TPQ with Stephanie J. Block. I love her. I was so disappointed when I did not get to see her a second time with the Wicked tour because she moved on to TPQ. Third, you saw TPQ with Hadley Fraser!! And you stated what I felt when I heard the soundtrack on CD SO much better than I did. OMG. I love that man. And the accent is adorable!
Thanks for the blog. I will totally be living vicariously through you!
That would be: Four, you saw TPQ with Hadley Fraser etc.
Gah, I hate when I do that.
I pull her back down, scream for her toshutup and remember our deal. Hey, Sarge, Flud answered for the pair.
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I pull her back down, scream for her toshutup and remember our deal. Hey, Sarge, Flud answered for the pair.
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