Pirate Queen to Open at B'way's Hilton in March; Complete Cast Announced

Broadway plans for Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's The Pirate Queen have firmed up. The show will begin previews at the Hilton Theatre on February 23 in preparation for a March 22 opening. Marcus Chait Urban Cowboy and William Youmans Wicked have also joined a list of principals that already included Stephanie J. Block, Linda Balgord, Hadley Fraser and Jeff McCarthy.

The Pirate Queen, is based on the real-life story of the legendary Irish pirate chieftain, Grace "Grania" O'Malley Block, who was a pirate, chieftain, lover and mother in 16th century Ireland. O'Malley was one of the last Irish clan leaders to resist the English conquest of Gaelic Ireland. The tuner features a book by Boublil and Schönberg, music by Schönberg and lyrics by Boublil and John Dempsey The Witches of Eastwick. The show is based upon the novel Grania—She King of the Irish Seas by Morgan Llywelyn.

In addition to the stars listed above, the cast will include Nick Adams, Richard Todd Adams, Caitlin Allen, Sean Beglan, Timothy W. Bish, Jerad Bortz, Troy Edward Bowles, Grady McLeod Bowman, Rachel Bress, Don Brewer, Kimilee Bryant, Alexis Ann Carra, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Noelle Curran, Bobbie-Ann Dunn, Brooke Elliott, Christopher Garbrecht, Eric Hatch, Cristin J. Hubbard, David Koch, Timothy Kochka, Jamie LaVerdiere, Joseph Mahowald, Tokiko Masuda, Padraic Moyles, Brian O'Brien, Kyle James O'Connor, Michael James Scott, Greg Stone, Katie E. Tomlinson, Daniel Torres, Jennifer Waiser and Briana Yacavone.

The Pirate Queen, directed by Frank Galati, is scheduled to tryout in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from October 3 through November 26. Mark Dendy will choreograph, Eugene Lee is doing the sets, Martin Pakledinaz is on board as the costume designer and Kenneth Posner will serve as the lighting designer.