The Pirate Queen Sets Sail on Broadway
by Kathryn Rizzo
In the much anticipated Broadway premiere that opened on April 5, 2007 at the Hilton Theatre in Manhattan, The Pirate Queen is a breathtaking epic musical drama. Creators Alain Boubil and Claude Michel Schonberg, who gave the world musical masterpieces such as Les Miserable and Miss Sigon, only add to their already illustrious reputations with their current dazzling production portraying the life and tale of Irish legend Grace O'Malley. Certainly a triumph, Riverdance producers Moya Dougherty and John McColgan seem to find a perfect balance of a classic Broadway musical while never once forgetting the true Irish essence of this gripping story.
The Pirate Queen is a grand musical journey, based on fact and centered around the life of legendary Irish leader Grace "Grania" O'Malley. A 16th century feminist, this Celtic freedom fighter challenges her sex and her enemies by becoming the first pirate chieftain. Grace breaks free of all the former expectations attached to how a woman should act by presenting women as nurturing mothers, fierce warriors, passionate lovers, intelligent politicians and fearless leaders, embodying all of these things at once. The strength of women is also empowered through Grace's English counterpart Queen Elizabeth I.
With feminism being almost a supporting actress through the show, the tension finally comes to a head when the two women meet face to face, Ireland's Pirate Queen versus England's Virgin Queen. However it is not only the strong sense of "girl-power" that makes this show so compelling. The Pirate Queen is also a story of loss and grief, adventure and joy; all these along side the bitter frustration of a love denied. This production is an emotional rollercoaster, one that audiences will undoubtedly enjoy every moment of.
One of the most gratifying parts of The Pirate Queen's is the Irish dance element, choreographed by Carol Leavy Joyce and Mark Dendy. These dances really aid the production in coming into its own and give the show a sense of magic that is lacking in other Broadway productions. The orchestrations by Julian Kelly make the dance music particularly enchanting and authentic, giving you the sense that you've just joined the pirate crew along of the rugged and beautiful West coast of Ireland.
Lighting and effects superb, the play begins aboard O'Malley's ship with the gusty sail whipping in the breeze while the masts frame the entire stage. Within the stage design the sets shift effortlessly from pirate ship to the English Queen's court, to an Irish landscape and back again, executed beautifully.
Stephanie J. Block takes on the powerful role of the spirited Grace O'Malley with passion and strength, awing the audience straight off by delivering the moving opening solo, "Woman." She continues to captivate listeners with her enthralling voice, going on to sing such melodic ballads as "Here On This Night" and "The Choice Is Mine." Gallant Broadway newcomer Hadley Fraser expertly plays the role of Tiernan, Grace's lover, giving the play a strong dose of testosterone with his haunting solo, "I'll Be There." Linda Balgord, a New Yorker, plays Elizabeth I as a haughty English monarch with a pure operatic voice. Jeff McCarthy as Chieftain Dubhdara O'Malley is empathetic and strong in his rich voiced performance.
The Pirate Queen is a major victory. In past years Broadway has been missing a big epic musical, and this production delivers just that. From the show's enchanting Irish melodies sung to perfection to the flawless costumes and stage design to the spellbinding choreography, audiences cannot help but to be drawn into this thrilling world of swashbuckling adventure and romance. Musical lovers, young and old must be sure to see this soon to be classic; it won't leave you disappointed. Audiences will surely leave the theater satisfied, humming the classic scores while all but feeling the ocean breeze on their faces.
