Princesses - Broadway Bound???

There's a new musical at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle called Princesses. It's showing here first as a test run in order to make changes and improve the show before it (hopefully) hits Broadway in NYC. The creative team encourages its audience to email their opinions regarding the show. Of course I had to send them SOMETHING... Here's a letter I sent to the theater with my thoughts:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 5:06 PM
To: 'admin@5thavenuetheatre.org'
Subject: Princesses - One audience member's view...

To the Princesses’ Creative Collaboration:

I have seen Princesses twice and I enjoyed it both times – actually, I think I enjoyed it more the second time around. I had a pretty busy weekend the first time I saw it on the evening of August 14th. That night, the first act was a little slow but it definitely picked up after intermission. However, last night (August 21st), I enjoyed the first half more. It’s probably one of those “have to be in the mood” kind of things. Or maybe it’s the fact that it was only $20 for me to see it the second time around. I like to believe I was more alert this time around.

I didn’t really notice any changes in a week’s time. If there were any changes, they must have been minor. The duets between Miranda and her father were beautiful musically and lyrically. The most emotionally charged songs for me were the final song with Miranda & her father (in the wheelchair), ”I Don’t Need You”, and “The Best Revenge”. However, my favorite performance is easily “What a Drag”. Talk about clever lyrics! And, actually, the duet with Ms.Nibby & Miranda’s dad (trying to motivate Miss Nibby) is just as funny. I was still laughing the second time.

Cast-wise, I think you have found gems in Miranda, her dad, and the three ladies who play her close friends (the scene stealers in “What a Drag”). Ms. Nibby and the girl who discovers Zach’s at the school (I forget her name) both have a great roles. Actually, the entire cast is so multi-talented. I love how each girl actually gets to contribute to the story. Where was all this talent found? And is it legal for “Princesses” to hog them all to themselves?

If I could offer any constructive criticism, it would be to work on Zach’s solo “Just Say Yes”. I don’t know if it’s the song or Zach himself. I definitely think changes are needed. If I had to use one word to describe that scene, it would be “corny”. At both performances, I felt that people were laughing at the scene. Not a giggly “Wow, he’s cute” kind-of-laughing but a “Good grief, this guy looks like a fool” kind-of-laugh. In fact, before the Q&A last night after the show, I heard a girl in her twenties say (quite loudly) that he’s “simply embarrassing”.

The scene’s music, lyrics, and vocals are great. But it opens kind of awkward. I’m definitely no music expert but those first beats of the song come on so suddenly. What if it was extended a little longer to allow more dialogue to blend into those opening beats? Maybe more choreography could be added to Zach’s performance. His free styling moves are a little boring. He needs some moves to help transform the performance into something more sensual. I’m not saying he should perform a lap dance but he needs to be a bit more alluring. His outfit could also use some work. I might be a 31-year old heterosexual male but I can comfortably say that his look is not appealing. He doesn’t have to wear a black “wife-beater” tank top to show off his body. My two female friends thought he looked much “hotter” last night during the Q&A session wearing a plain green t-shirt. Actually, I could hear lots of girls whispering about how much better he looked. A simple wardrobe change might make him more appealing…

Someone made a comment last night during the Q&A regarding the use of inappropriate language. I personally don’t think the language is inappropriate. In fact, I think the language is realistic with today’s teens. There was only one use of language that bothered me. I’m not sure if the word “b*tch” is actually necessary when the blonde “mean girl” says it in reference to Miss Nibby giving her a role she doesn’t want. Yes, I believe that teens today can be rude. But it’s not believable (to me) that a teacher would tolerate that kind of comment without kicking her out of the classroom. I don’t think anyone would stand for that, timid or not. If the creative team thinks it’s necessary, then maybe the dialogue shortly thereafter should be quicker paced until Miranda’s dad enters the room. That way there’s no time for Miss Nibby to react to such a disrespectful act. Or maybe “b*tch” can be changed to “bee-yotch”. I dunno – that’s just my opinion…

Seriously, I think this show has a lot of potential. Granted, I am easily entertained, I think this show has two things going for it… the musical within the musical and the fact that it takes place in today’s world with an emphasis on today’s teens. I’m seriously thinking of seeing this musical for a third time. Hopefully, I can use my $20 ticket stub to buy yet another $20 ticket.

Best of luck to the Princesses team in their pursuit of a successful Broadway show. I’ll be rooting them on every step of the way!

Thanks!