Pirate Queen tonight: More drama offstage than on

[Totheheartofit2]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 9:44pm

By mid way through "Woman" it was clear that Block's voice was failing her. She evidentally has a throat infection of some kind, but (presumably because of the fact that tonight is the last preview) was on rather than the standby, who has been on for the last 2 shows. Switcheroo, Kathy in, SJB out right after "woman" and the show continued on with Kathy playing Grace. Word has it that USA today is in the house tonight to review the last preview. Big question: If the producers want Block to be reviewed (and why wouldn't they?) will they delay the opening until Block is better/well so that the critics who have missed her the last 2 shows can be invited back to see her? The Times, Post and Daily news have all been in the house already last week, word has it.
Updated On: 4/4/07 at 09:44 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 9:47pm

No, they won't delay the opening. USA Today, while big, doesn't have the sphere of influence that the major NY papers do.

[Totheheartofit2]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 9:53pm

If Block has been out the last few shows, however, then that means that more reviewers than USA today have missed her. That adds a bit more weight to the problem than just one major paper not seeing what (the producers surely realize) is one of the show's greatest assets. USA today also reaches a much wider sphere of readers than the NY papers do (the tourist ticket buyers for example).
Updated On: 4/4/07 at 09:53 PM

[Popular]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:20pm

As much as our opinions vary about this show, let's please put our differencs aside and think some good thoughts for Steph. She deserves to have a wonderful opening, she's worked too hard.

[WordedGrace]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:26pm

Finally, Popular, and I agree on something in reference to the Pirate Queen. I sincerely hope that SJB is well enough to return and get the well deserved recognition from the critics she deserves for this role. I may dislike this show but her performance is the main reason my partner dragged me there four times. Here's hoping she's well enough to recieve her due.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:28pm

I hope Stephanie will be well enough to be get reviewed. It would be terrible is she didn't.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:31pm

They'll do anything they have to in order to get Block reviewed. The notices she'll most likely get are going to be what they depend on to keep the show open (since it'll probably get raked over the coals everywhere else.)

[FallintoLight]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:32pm

I couldn't agree more! She has worked too hard to not be able to enjoy Opening Night! I pray that she'll be well and can enjoy it!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:39pm

This honestly makes me so sad for Stephanie. After watching CastCom and everything about this show, it would be heartbreaking if she weren't well tomorrow. She obviously has so much invested in this and truly deserves to have a fantastic opening. I will be wishing good thoughts for her. Stephanie was absolutely my favorite part of the show.

Here's to wishing Stephanie a happy and healthy opening night.

Updated On: 4/4/07 at 10:39 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 10:49pm

Poor Stephanie. It would be heartbreaking for her opening to be anything less than fantastic. She's worked so hard for this. I'm sending her lots and lots of good thoughts.

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:12pm

I was there! Both actresses seemed very talented, and I hope Stephanie is reviewed, because she seemed good from what I saw! I'll write a review tomorrow, too tired to think straight.

Updated On: 4/4/07 at 11:12 PM

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:33pm

I was there as well! First row thanks to a post from last night! I thought Seph was amazing from the few moments that she was onstage. I was initally disapointed by the standby, but I think that's because Steph plays a much more masculine Grace while Kathy is more feminine. I learned to love her though! An usher I talked to said she mught try steroids for tomorrow night...

[Eos]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:33pm

I was there tonight as well, and my heart sank when Kathy (who I thought did a great job) came on. I was sitting next to the parents of one of the ensemble members, and according to them, the cast didn't think Stephanie should have gone on at all. That Stephanie is a real trooper, and I hope she's well enough tomorrow to go on. She more than deserves it. Personally, I'm still kinda pissed that she didn't get to open Wicked on Broadway. That girl can sing her butt off.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:38pm

Steph probably shouldn't have gone on, she should have skipped the one last show so she could rest up for tomorrow. I really hope she's well enough for tomorrow.

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:38pm

OOOOOOH! I hope she gets better in time for tomorrow...

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:42pm

"She obviously has so much invested in this and truly deserves to have a fantastic opening"

-What actor doesn't have a lot invested in a show that they are opening on Broadway, you're stating the obvious.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:48pm

Well that's true, but what I think Ashley means is that you can tell how much all this means to her. It's her first real starring role on Broadway.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:59pm

Oh no! I hope Stephanie gets well quickly and that opening night goes smoothly. She must be distraught.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 12:07am

Personally, I'm still kinda pissed that she didn't get to open Wicked on Broadway. That girl can sing her butt off.

Finally, someone comes right out and says what's been on the tip of every PIRATE QUEEN-WICKED-STEPH shill's tongue for the past year. The only reason any of these kids care so much about a show that most of them haven't even seen is because Stephanie J. Block played Elphaba in their hometown's stop of the WICKED tour. She was their first Elphie, and any show she is in from now on shall be gold.

Here's wishing Ms. Block the best of health and good wishes on opening night.

Updated On: 4/5/07 at 12:07 AM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 12:09am

-What actor doesn't have a lot invested in a show that they are opening on Broadway, you're stating the obvious.

Yeah, but this is a long time coming for her. I never saw her in Wicked or anything, or had heard her voice, but from what I've heard she's been waiting for this. And everything we've been able to witness first hand from Castcom just makes it seem that she so believes in the show and has worked ridiculously hard for all of this (not that anyone hasn't). And who cares if I'm stating the obvious? It's still true. With all the repetitiveness on this board, I wouldn't think a statement supporting a performer would be an issue.

But this is not the point. Still wishing Stephanie well tomorrow!

An usher I talked to said she mught try steroids for tomorrow night...
I have actually had to do that before. So while it's not the best solution, it works. I woke up with no voice the morning of a performance, the doctor gave me steroids and I could sing by that night. If it helps her get through it, I hope she does it.

Updated On: 4/5/07 at 12:09 AM

[rocker05]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 1:46am

Yeah, I was at the show tonight(front row seats!), but missed the first 10 minutes. I walked in right before "The Storm" and was excited to see that Stephanie was in tonight, but I noticed that her voice sounded thin and she coughed a few times. Right after the first battle, I noticed the next time the character of Grace came on, it was someone different. Kathy Voytko did a very good job in the role and got a well deserved standing ovation. Hadley Fraser was good as well, but it's not only performances that make a show and it overall didn't impress me. The music was not necessarily memorable except for some standouts like "I'll Be There", "Here On This Night" and a duet between the Queen and Grace. I saw Roma Torre there for those who watch NY1 and I'm not sure she was impressed either. I wish the best for the performers but the show itself isn't gonna get any awards. My vote still goes to SA!

[SayitSomehow]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 1:53am

Wow. This is the saddest thing I've ever heard. All the work and build up for Stephanie to command the stage in this show and she gets struck ill NOW? Come on, it's basically spring already! Ugh, that is just life isn't it. This show needs Steph in the reviews, and in good form. So upsetting

[msls777]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:54am

I don't post much or anything -- and have noticed the Pirate Queen fan base, to say the least -- but I am absolutely disgusted by Wanna Be A Foster's comment.

First, stereotyping Pirate Queen/Stephanie J. Block fans who also hold the opinion that she (who workshopped the role of Elphaba with Stephen Schwartz) should have originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway as "shills" is extremely disrespectful. And what you assume about the so-called shills you stereotype is unproven and most likely untrue. While there are some who haven't seen the Broadway production of the Pirate Queen and still support it -- well, from what I read, e.g. Popular, but she saw the Chicago production, and that in itself is indicative of Stephanie J. Block's talent and Popular's views of the show -- your statement is still distressing to read. What makes you think you can criticize those who see the Pirate Queen as a good work, and who similarly believe that Stephanie J. Block should have originated the role of Elphaba? It's an opinion, and really, all the Pirate Queen bashing has gone too far. And just to push this further, I personally believe that Stephanie J. Block was a better Elphaba than Idina Menzel. I liked the Pirate Queen, and maybe you'll think your musical taste is somehow superior to mine. But what I'm not is what you described in your paragraph--and to make such generalized stereotypes, I reiterate, is extremely disrespectful.

Furthermore, any of this Pirate Queen condescension (not critique--critique is fine, but some people have gone to the point where they are simply condescending the show) is really unwarranted. Listen, if you think this show is so terrible (apparently, more terrible than anything you can do at your superior intelligence level), then write a tune better than what genius Claude-Michel Schönberg writes, or show us that you have a better grasp of the english language than Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil. Audiences are enjoying the show and honestly, no work should ever be as disgraced or humiliated because you think it is a subpar musical.

And really, all this condescension just gives off an aura of self-pretentiousness (emphasis on "self"). I remember reading a post by someone who hadn't seen the Pirate Queen, yet made fun of the song "I'll Be There" for its anthemic title. Furthermore, this somehow connected back to Sondheim, in that all Sondheim material for some reason was ably criticized or something to that effect. Honestly, I'm not making a generalization about Sondheim fans (I personally love Sondheim) but a minority of people take these views to the point where everything comes back to Sondheim being superior--so I'm spinning this in another direction. And Sondheim's song, "Unworthy of your Love" merits as corny a title as "I'll Be There." And really, for all the praise that Sondheim merits -- praise that is well-deserved -- these things really shouldn't apply to what Boublil and Schönberg wrote. And to that person, I don't know of a better way to accomodate the inverted major chord that comprises the tune of "I'll Be There" in 3 syllables to show the unwavering mentality of Tiernan, so if you do, please, enlighten me. If you think the melody should be changed, please write a better one which fits the context of Tiernan's state right after the wedding sequence.

Why can't a person simply enjoy a musical that communicates the love between two people shattered by an epic conflict, or that is filled with Irish Dancing? So many of these things are subjective, so let's not attack others' opinions, or even stereotype any Stephanie J. Block-Pirate Queen fan as some shill.

Seriously, until you've written something better than the Pirate Queen, you should respect those (especially Boublil and Schönberg) who have made such monumental contributions to musical theatre. I reiterate, critique is good, but right-out condescension is completely unwarranted. And condescending fans who enjoy the show (or simply Block's performance) -- whether it be to reinforce your sense of superiority or whatever other motive impelled you to make such a rude statement -- is ridiculous.



This has been beaten to death, so I conclude: critiquing a show is good, but condescending the show and even its fans is going too far. Let people be happy in your perception of their ignorance. They actually love the show, and no one should be called a shill for loving something.




Back to the topic, I wish Stephanie J. Block the best and definitely hope she gets to open a show she's devoted so much time to.

[bardolator]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 5:35am

:standing ovation for msls777:

-I'm not a shill: I have no personal stake in seeing that the show succeeds, other than having more chances to see it and wanting an excellent performer to be able to continue performing in this vehicle, which I honestly enjoy

-I'm not a "kid"

-I have seen the show (twice in Chicago, and will see it again in New York this summer)

-I did see Stephanie the first time I saw it; the second time was Victoria Matlock, and, yes, Stephanie was better

-I don't believe that any show she is in from now on is automatically "gold," though I do expect "gold" from her in any show I see with her in it.

Somehow, not liking this show has become as much a "virtue" on these boards as not liking cats (I don't mean CATS--though, that, too). That being said, I'm glad that so many people on this thread are able to say on-topic. *Any* performer who has been working long and hard on a show to bring it to Broadway "deserves" to enjoy the opening, Stephanie no less than Christine Ebersole or Michael Cerveris or whoever else is getting the boards' imprimatur right now. If you want to know what's on every Block fan's mind in all this, it is not the old "she didn't get to open WICKED on Broadway" line--it's the fact that she was injured by mechanical failure on the set the night before WICKED's Tour opening and was "cheated" of that opening night. Don't assume that every supporter of hers is carrying a chip on his or her shoulder about Idina Menzel; none of us brought it up, and I guarantee you that most of us had not even thought about it.

Our prayers are with Steph, and Kathy, and the entire cast and crew of THE PIRATE QUEEN.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:53am

Wow - there's some great posts guys.

First of all, thanks msls777, that was really nice.

Next, no I haven't seen Stephanie J Block, but I do sympathize with anyone who has put so much effort into something and then risks not being able to do the opening night.

Yes, I like Wicked, and from what I've heard of Block online, which is quite a lot, she sounds really good. I saw Idina Menzel and Shoshana Bean, the former was better, though the latter was ok too. I'm sure Steph was a brilliant Elphaba, but that has nothing to do with it.

I'm a great admirer of Boublil and Schönberg's work. I must, however, disagree with the statement that Alain Boublil has a rilliant grasp of the English language, because just from hearing him speak you can tell that he doesn't, although he does have an excellent grasp of French. What Boublil does have, which the very talented people like Herbert Kretzmer and Richard Maltby transate, is an amazing understanding of the language of expression, and emotion.

And Claude-Michel Schönberg? Well, he's just brilliant, Music is a language which sees no broders, am I right?

I hope SJB is well tonight, and I hope to see the PQ soon and make up my own mind.