Starring: - Stephanie J. Block
- Hadley Fraser
- Linda Balgord
Description:
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.
1. Prologue - (Act I)
2. Pirate Queen, The - (Act I)
3. Woman - (Act I)
4. My Grace - (Act I)
5. Here On This Night - (Act I)
6. Waking Of The Queen, The - (Act I)
7. Rah-Rah, Tip-Top - (Act I)
8. Choice Is Mine, The - (Act I)
9. Boys'll Be Boys - (Act I)
10. Wedding, The - (Act I)
11. I'll Be There - (Act I)
12. Day Beyond Belclare, A - (Act I)
13. Sail To The Stars - (Act I)
14. Entr'acte - (Act II)
15. Enemy At Port Side - (Act II)
16. I Dismiss You - (Act II)
17. If I Said I Loved You - (Act II)
18. Role Of The Queen, The - (Act II)
19. Christening, The - (Act II)
20. Let A Father Stand By His Son - (Act II)
21. Surrender - (Act II)
22. She Who Has All - (Act II)
23. Sea Of Life, The - (Act II)
24. Woman To Woman - (Act II)
25. Finale - (Act II)
Pirate Queen
