Theatre Review: God Save Queen Pam Is An Off-Broadway Princess Diaries

Absolutely, every young girl is raised with the idea of “the princess.” Nowadays, the idea brings about an odd dynamic because women are realizing that men don’t save us, and Prince Charming is more likely to come with a pension plan rather than a palace. Yet, playing at The Players Theatre, God Save Queen Pam rejoices in the humor and delight of this old, “princess” fantasy.

Once upon a time, there was a bar-maid from Secaucus, whom unbeknownst to her, is the illegitimate granddaughter of a a king who knew how to “get around”. That bar-maid turned princess is Pam Duffy or “Getrude II” as she is coronated. From names to dress styles, Pam’s life-changes are not all that glorious. While the idea of becoming a princess enraptures us, God Save Queen Pam funnily shows that not only do you lose your privacy, but you also have to lose your personality.

Gleefully directed by Brian Tuttle and Marc Chan, Erin Murray Quinlan wrote the book and lyrics for this musical, and it seems that she has recorded every classic musical/ splendid Disney film that defined our childhood. While God Save Queen Pam is for adults, it appeals to that inner, teen girl that, actually, thought she could end up married to Prince William. The twinkling, piano melodies add a brightness to script and heighten the delightful silliness of its puns. Still, Quinlan’s performance as Pam highlights something important about power, especially in terms of women; you are forced to be an image.

Being Queen, Pam is forced to, somehow, have to know every single thing that is happening in the world and not have an opinion. “Unfortunately” for Pam, that is not possible. I firmly believe that comedy is simply the choice to laugh at the tragedies of life, and there is something tragic about being asked to be voiceless, especially when it comes to people like Pam. Quinlan gives this character such a warm amiability, and a bright-eyed optimism that counters well with the friendly, but stiff upper lips like Carolyn Light’s Col. Eleanor Ainsley, Evan Quinlan’s Maj. Johnathan Digby and David Ventura’s Maj. Jaimie Toben. Their characters become charmed by Pam’s openheartedness, and seeing how they, themselves, humorously open up pushes you to question: why is being emotionless the definition of sophistication?

At two hours and 15 minutes, with a 10 minute intermission, God Save Queen Pam goes by quickly with brisk laughs, but is surprisingly more insightful than at first glance. Yes, there is a “happy ending” of sorts to Pam’s rise to Queendom against hilarious saboteurs such as, Mari Minette Linder’s Lady Fenella de Dieul and Michael Kennedy’s Auggie de Dieul. While they make you laugh out loud with their craziness, they also amp up that “class” is truly a superficial honor. In being based on looks and money, its material foundation clashes with souls like Pam, whom run solely on the idea of being happy with their hearts rather than their house-size. God Save Queen Pam plays until July 29 at Players Theatre; located on 115 MacDougal St. Click Here For Tickets.