Pirate Queen Review

Originally Posted on October 30, 2006

This is my review of the new Broadway musical "The Pirate Queen" currently in out of town tryouts in Chicago before it heads to New York this winter. Enjoy.


The Pirate Queen Lacks in Every Way That Matters (to me).


Act One: Get your hero up a tree
Act Two: Throw rocks at him
Act Three: Get him back down again

-George Abbot (on playwriting)

This simple rule for creating a compelling story is the basis for Theatre and Film successes of every kind for thousands of years. Hell even the Bible follows it. Yet somehow, despite former success by the creators that followed this pattern like Miss Siagon and Les Mis, The Pirate Queen seems to forget what makes Theatre interesting: CONFLICT. Without giving away too much, though there is a synopsis of the show inserted in the program, the show is loosely based on the true life story of Grania ..Grace.. O..Malley, who becomes the commander of the rebel naval forces in the west of Ireland fighting for their independence against the British Empire and Queen Elizabeth. If anyone ever decides to turn my life story into a musical, I hope they don..t rush through the interesting parts as quickly as the Pirate Queen does, and beat the dead horse that is the love scenes.

Let..s say something positive before I get much further, because it..s important to note that the Director and the Writers have assembled a phenomenal cast for this somewhat mediocre show. Stephanie J. Block (most recently Elphiba in the first National Tour of Wicked) is a beautiful choice for the role of Grania, with a wonderful vocal range, and emotional backing. Hadley Frasier as her childhood friend and true love, Tiernan, has some of the better songs and moments in the show, though the relationship between Grania and Tiernan never quite rises to the level of fierce barbarian love that you hope it will. Jeff McCarthy does a wonderful job as Grania..s father, and the Clan Chieftan Debhdara, and likewise Linda Balgord is more than passable as Queen Elizabeth (especially given the costumes she..s put into). There are moments though when all you want from this show are to hear Aine Ui Cheallaigh as Evleen sing some more. She has a beautiful voice, and captures the Irish essence in her somber and joyful ballads (in Gaelic of course).

Though this quality ensemble sings, dances (extraordinarily) and fights (not too well with the fighting though), they cannot overcome the simple fact that there are no songs notable or original enough to draw you in, and no emotional struggle big enough to capture your attention and make you love this show. The Action seems rushed in both time it takes to complete it and in how well it..s been rehearsed, and at times there is just no action at all in the middle of a song. People literally stop singing or doing anything while music just plays.. and plays.. and blackout. All of this might be overcome were the audience given something to rally against, like an evil Lord Bingham, played by William Youmans, or an alcoholic/adulterous husband which Grania is forced to marry, played by Marcus Chait, but these characters aren..t given time or deeds enough to rise to the level of villain that this story needs, even when they combine forces and plot against Grania.

The technical production is beautiful, with some of the best use of projection and moving lights I..ve seen. However, the set dressing which makes the stage look like a ship, sometimes only serves to remind you how much of this story about a pirate takes place on land. Overall, the story is a good one, it..s just told poorly, without the songs, or the words to really convey why you as an audience member should care about The Pirate Queen.

Review by: Brad Norris