Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...'The Pirate Queen," the earnest and epic but ill-ruddered and oft-cartoonish voyage from the creators of "Les Miserables" and the producers of "Riverdance," is far from shipshape. How long its costly Irish sail will last in New York will depend upon the willingness of its creators to face potentially painful truths—beginning with a lack of clear commitment to the kind of legitimate, sophisticated, and, above all, complex musical that has marked Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's glorious careers to date."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Far too much of “Les Miserables” and not nearly enough of “Riverdance.” That may be the simplest, if not the fullest, way to explain the problems facing “The Pirate Queen,” the handsomely designed but drearily predictable quasi-operatic musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg..."
Daily Herald - Somewhat Recommended
"...It’s a mixed bag musically — the score falters when it drifts away from the traditional, Irish-sounding melodies (wonderfully rendered by soloist Áine Uí Cheallaigh) into the dangerous waters of pop-schmaltz. That said, Boublil and Schönberg have crafted some engaging tunes. “She Who Has All,” the second act duet between Grace and Elizabeth, is lush and lovely."
SouthtownStar - Recommended
"...Those expecting another "Les Miserables" or "Miss Saigon" from composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg may be disappointed. But for those who take this stirring swashbuckling epic of Irish pride, passion and daring on its own terms, the rewards are enormous."
Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...The Pirate Queen has work to do before reaching New York in March. It’s achieved all it could possibly hope or need to achieve in looks and technical finesse, but now it must find its soul. Right now there only are two or three scenes of true emotional impact, and they are the simplest, smallest moments: an old man dying, two women talking, the hero singing solo. But small and simple—even quiet—is something the producers and co-authors Boublil and Schonberg don’t do easily, although they can do it well."
Chicago Free Press - Somewhat Recommended
"...But anyone who doesn’t already crave Boublil and Schonberg’s easy-listening musicals (and I’m one) will find familiar shortfalls. The rapid-fire plot is too swift to let us care for the characters, yet shortchanges the legend’s most important event, the real-life encounter between Grania and Elizabeth."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Pirate Queen, the new musical from the esteemed creators of Les Misérables, is a version of O’Malley’s life in which the sea-warrior leading lady appears to be between shots for a Garnier Fructis ad. With copper curls cascading down either side of her ample bosom, this O’Malley is the kind of lovely urchin who inspires men to write bad poetry. As a muse, she’s done little more for writers Boublil and Schönberg."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Stephanie J. Block is sparkling, commanding and empathetic as the liberating Irish pirate turned wife/mother whose loyalty and honor are admirable. We like her and care what happens to her. Block sings Grania with gusto, grace and strength that turns into one of the finest performances seen on stage in many years. She has defined Grania as hers in a tour de force performance that alone justifies seeing the show."
