It has recently come to my attention that a few people have criticized "Blackbeard: The Musical" as lacking character depth because all they do is sing.
I must respond emphatically in defense of the musical that has been a bright spot in our lives, that has made us laugh and cry. We are no strangers to Broadway musicals, but it is getting increasingly difficult to find one that compares to Blackbeard: The Musical.
But, back to the point. Is depth absent in Blackbeard: The Musical?
No, but imagination on the part of the audience may be lacking.
Let's start by comparing Lt. Maynard's "Take Me Instead" to other Broadway musicals.
When I first heard "Take Me Instead," I was moved and absolutely interested in this character. He was real to me (my ten year old daughter immediately fell in love with him, and was crushed when she found out he was married!).
Compare Lt. Maynard's pleas to Schoenberg, Boublil, and Kretzmer's Marius Pont Mercy. Their Marius is whiny, selfish, lustful and somewhat a weenie. Lt. Maynard is ready to die for Anne, and Marius thinks Cosette is hot. I find myself cringing everytime he opens his mouth, no matter how beautiful the voice is. And these people already had fleshed out, deep characters created for them by genius Victor Hugo!
I will not even attempt to compare Lt. Maynard to the immensely annoying and irritating Raoul from The Phantom of the Opera.
Perhaps critics cannot relate to real depth, only the depth that one would find on the "OC" or other such nonsense.
And, speaking of "Phantom", shall we compare the depth of Mary's "This Is Not The Man I Love" to anything Christine sings about when dealing with a psychotic, murdering stalker? Mr. Gardner was genius in his development of Mary. She is strong--even though she could have been a victim, she does not become one.
And what about "Phantom" versus "Blackbeard?" As we get to know Blackbeard, we love and hate him, but not in an unhealthy "Phantom" way. We love who he could be, but hate his pride and condescending attitude toward people. But, we know he's been hurt...in "To Be Remembered," he sings about how people will lie and leave...we wonder who hurt him when he was younger...we wonder if Mary's love can save him. We shudder as he wickedly, mockingly laughs at Anne. We cry when we realize that underneath the "look" that has made the man--is the man Mary loves.
If that's not depth, what is?
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