The Pirate Queen (2007 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Alain Boublil (Composer), Claude Michel Schonberg (Composer), Stephanie J. Block (Performer), Hadley Fraser (Performer), Linda Balgord (Performer), Marcus Chait (Performer), Jeff McCarthy (Performer), William Youmans (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Stephanie J. Block, Hadley Fraser, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Jeff McCarthy, et al.
• Composer: Alain Boublil, Claude Michel Schonberg
• Audio CD (July 3, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sony Classics
• ASIN: B000QTCY72
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,757 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Pirate Queen, with a score by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon), took a critical beating when it opened on Broadway, but as this catchy cast recording demonstrates, that reception was really unnecessarily harsh. Set in the 17th century, the show (which closed after only 85 performances) tells the story of Grace O’Malley (Stephanie J. Block), an Irish ship captain and pirate who defied Queen Elizabeth I (Linda Balgord). The combination of that setting with the fact that the producers also brought us Riverdance means an overall Celtic flavor. But fans of Boublil and Schönberg should not fear. The duo delivers plenty of the over-the-top, super-emotional power ballads they’re famous for--it’s hard not to wonder what Celine Dion would make of songs such as "Woman" or "I’ll Be There" (the latter sung by a man, but no matter!). Special kudos to Balgord, whose deliciously campy stage portrayal of Elizabeth I comes across well on "The Waking of the Queen," "The Role of the Queen," and two harpsichord-driven, vibrato-laden duets with Block, "She Who Has All" and "Woman to Woman." Also of note to fans of traditional singing is the participation of Áine Uí Cheallaigh (known from Riverdance) on several tracks. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A minor effort, but it has its moments, July 10, 2007

By	Steven Valenti "svclue" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since the ill-fated "Martin Guerre" in the 90's, I've been waiting for Boublil and Schonberg to make a comeback and recapture some of the glory they achieved with their blockbuster 80's musicals, "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon." Unfortunately, "The Pirate Queen" is more throwback than comeback. Despite some Irish folk stylings thrown in to fit this story about an Irish female pirate, the music is just too similar to their earlier works, never sounding sufficiently new or original. It's derivative, no question, but fortunately, it's derivative of shows I really like (well, not "Martin Guerre" so much, but I'm certainly a fan of "Les Miz" and "Saigon."). Schonberg has a talent for unabashed dramatics, and when he turns it on here in songs like "I'll Be There" and "A Day Beyond Belclare," I can't help but get lost in my nostalgia for the pop opera spectacles that introduced me to musicals and cast recordings. Unfortunately, even nostalgia can't do much about duds like "Boys'll Be Boys," a gratingly corny number that musically is sort of a cross between "Master of the House" from "Les Miz" and "What a Waste" from "Saigon." And don't even get me started on the depressingly banal lyrics throughout, which are never more than functional. But I like the performances of stars Stephanie J. Block and Hadley Fraser, who both have impressive voices that are a perfect fit for this style of musical. Overall, "The Pirate Queen" is the musical equivalent of a summer popcorn movie ("Pirates of the Carribean," perhaps?), and on that level, it works just well enough.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sure to leave you wanting more!, July 3, 2007

By	Teenage Musical Fan - See all my reviews

As a longtime fan of Broadway Musicals, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to see this show on Broadway over Spring Break. I loved every moment of the performance and after waiting three months, the Cast Recording arrived on my porch this morning. And a fine, fine disc it is.

This show was harshly and undeservedly trashed by critics, snubbed by the Tonys, and forced to close after only 85 performances on Broadway. What a shame that the public let this gem slip away.

The story of Grace O'Malley is the stuff of legend, and the score backing it is also legendary. Full of powerful ballads from Stephanie J. Block, one of the strongest singers I have ever heard, rousing chorus numbers, and beautifully harmonized duets, this CD is a must for fans of Broadway. This album stands on its own as a great collection of songs, designed to tell a story, that will live forever in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to see it live.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Something of a Disappointment, July 16, 2007

By	Mark R., Whittington "author of Children of A... (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The songs in this album were just not that great. The lyrics were not very singable (and indeed some of them didn't even scan properly.) The music also suffered quite a bit from a lack of Irish instrumntation. Most of the music seemed to be just standard, cookie cutter Broadway show tunes and not very memorable ones at that.

The cast did very well, though, considering the poor material it had to work with

All in all, it looks like this play was a lost opportunity. The story of Grace O'Malley is a compelling one and deserves to be told better than it was here.