Bailing Out A Sinking Pirate
Bailing Out A Sinking PirateIt's been just over two weeks since the disastrous opening for The Pirate Queen during its pre-Broadway Chicago tryout. That was when practically every review, including mine, exposed gaping holes that needed to be fixed before it was Broadway-worthy.
In what must have seemed like an eternity to those associated with the show, the tide may finally be turning in a favorable direction as Richard Maltby, Jr. and Graciela Daniele are apparently now on board, ready to try saving this sinking ship. Officially, Frank Galati is still at the helm of this musical.
Having written the lyrics for Miss Saigon, Maltby is no stranger to The Pirate Queen's composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. He's been drafted to work on the book and lyrics. Meanwhile, Daniele is credited by many for salvaging Galati's only other Broadway musical Ragtime (he was sacked before Suessical ever opened) -- while she was credited only as that show's choreographer, insiders say it was her vision for the direction that ultimately prevailed.
While neither is officially at the helm of The Pirate Queen, their expertise is reportedly very welcome. But will it be enough to bail out Galati's multi-million dollar production?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
Critics Assail The Pirate Queen (October 31, 2006)
The Pirate Queen (The SOB Review) – Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago, IL (October 30, 2006)
The Pirate Queen Sails Into Chicago Opening Tonight (October 29, 2006)
Pirate Queen to Sail Into Broadway's Hilton Theatre (July 27, 2006)
The Pirate Queen Musical to Sail Into Chicago This Fall (May 15, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Chicago, Musical
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, November 15, 2006
2 Comments:
Thanks for the update Steve. I'd heard about the welcome addition of Mr. Maltby, but I didn't know about Graciela Daniele... Also hadn't heard the gossip that the ideas behind the genius Ragtime staging were actually her! Santa has a new Rudolph I think.
By the way, the "High School Musical" review you did a few days ago was fascinating. I love it when things come full circle like that!
I guess time will tell, but I'm interested in knowing what you and others think. Thus, I've added a new poll question asking if you think they'll be able to save the show.
Thanks for the kind words on the high school musical, too. I loved that it became a small world story for me.
Post a Comment
<< Home