The 2007 castcom launches Jan. 30 to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Pirate Queen, by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. Previews begin March 6 at the Hilton Theatre.
The troupe was also seen on a fall 2006 castcom coinciding with the creation of the world premiere tryout of the show.
"Castcom [a registered trademark] will feature new video diaries, interviews, and behind the scenes footage," according to the producers. "Hundreds of thousands of people viewed castcom, while The Pirate Queen prepared for its world premiere at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago this fall. Castcom is a first for a musical theatre production and you are invited to join the company as they continue on their journey to Broadway."
Log on today to www.ThePirateQueen.com/castcom to catch up on the castcom archive from fall 2006.
"With sweeping melodies and joyous Irish dancing, The Pirate Queen celebrates the real-life story of Ireland's bravest heroine Grace O'Malley," according to production notes. "To protect her people and save her one true love, O'Malley must confront the one woman more powerful than her, Queen Elizabeth I of England." Commissioned and produced by Moya Doherty and John McColgan, the producers of Riverdance, this new musical combines classic storytelling and a sweeping score, with the powerful, vibrant traditions of Irish dance and song, to create a modern musical event that is both an historic romance and a timeless epic.
Boublil and Schönberg are the Tony Award-winning team who penned the book and score to Les Misérables.
The Pirate Queen is directed by Tony Award winner Frank Galati with musical staging by Graciela Daniele.
The cast of 42 is led by Stephanie J. Block (Grace O’Malley), Hadley Fraser (Tiernan), Linda Balgord (Queen Elizabeth I), Marcus Chait (Donal), Jeff McCarthy (Dubhdara) and William Youmans (Bingham).
The creative team for The Pirate Queen also includes choreographer Mark Dendy; co-lyricist John Dempsey (Witches of Eastwick), who has co-written the lyrics; and Richard Maltby, Jr. (Miss Saigon, co-lyricist; Ain't Misbehavin' conception and direction), who will work with the writing team on book and lyrics. Julian Kelly is orchestrator, vocal arranger and musical supervisor and musical director.
Tickets for The Pirate Queen are currently available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (212)307-4100. Tickets are also available at the Hilton Theatre Box Office (213 West 42nd Street).
Ticket prices range from $51.25 to $111.25 (including $1.25 facility fee).
The Pirate Queen will play Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. There will not be matinee performances on Wednesday, March 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Visit www.ThePirateQueen.com for the preview performance schedule.
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Production diaries and packages are produced by Tyrone Productions, Ireland's leading independent television production company, working across a number of genres including drama, documentary and entertainment.
