Review: THE PIRATE QUEEN at Hale Centre Theatre is a Lush Premiere

THE PIRATE QUEEN is exactly what you would expect and hope a post-Broadway U.S. premiere from Hale Centre Theatre to be. Gorgeous design and solid performances elevate the musical from the composers of LES MISERABLES to a lush whirlwind of beauty.

This is the first production in the U.S. of THE PIRATE QUEEN (book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg, and Richard Maltby, Jr.; music by Claude-Michel Schonberg; lyrics by Alain Boublil, Richard Maltby, Jr., and John Dempsey) since its brief Broadway bow in 2007. Although some of the music drags and the momentum slows down greatly in the episodic second act, the story is fascinating and several songs are stunning.

Grace O'Malley, the daughter of a clan chieftain in Ireland, must make great sacrifices to secure the future of her people. They are in a constant clash with England, led by another powerful woman--Queen Elizabeth I.

Ravishing stage pictures are constantly and consistently created throughout the course of Hale Centre Theatre's production. Each scene looks like a watercolor painting, except the paint of choice is light, fire, fog, and fabric.

The lighting design by Adam Flitton fills the stage with striking, symbolic color. The detailed costume design by Tamara Baker, complemented by Trisha Ison's hair and makeup design, is like an extension of the colored light. Perfectly integrated are Queen Elizabeth's remarkable costumes, on loan from the Broadway production. Set designer Kacey Udy's ever-changing stage is both functional and artistic as it moves the audience through the highs and lows of Grace's story.

Bre Welch (double cast with Heather McDonald) inhabits the role of Grace O'Malley with a staunch physicality that contrasts the dulcet tones of her incredible singing voice. This surrounds her with a mysterious air that is well-suited for the character. Cecily Ellis-Bills (double cast with Brianna Gray) is also exceptionally strong as Queen Elizabeth, physically and vocally. The two actresses are perfectly matched as the two rulers.

Derek Smith (double cast with Jacob Theo Squire) brings tenderness, swagger, and wonderful vocals to his performance as Tiernan. Also highlights are Danny Inkley's gruff but loving depiction of Grace's father, Dubhdara O'Malley (double cast with Stephen Kerr) and Zac Freeman's vindictive Richard Bingham, who is sent from Elizabeth's court to conquer Ireland (double cast with Adam Millington).

Unfortunately, the cast's Irish and English accents are inconsistent across the board, often dropping in and out. In addition, the timing of the dancing is often off, with the dancers seemingly having difficulty keeping in step with the beat of the music. Luckily, the choreography by director David Tinney and RIVERDANCE performer Alan Scariff is excellent, with exciting stage pictures that integrate well with the physical production.

THE PIRATE QUEEN plays through April 2, 2016. For tickets, call the box office at 801-984-9000 or visit www.halecentretheatre.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Cecily Ellis-Bills (Queen Elizabeth), Derek Smith (Tiernan), and Bre Welch (Grace O'Malley)

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