Somehow, the sooner the better, David Hyde Pierce should be designated an official National Treasure. My theater buddy and I were mulling what the (extremely positive) feeling Hyde Pierce elicits as soon as he appears on stage in Pirates! The Penzance Musical (Todd Haimes Theatre, booking to July 27) was all about—and not just in this, but in other stage roles such as the Bishop in Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, Here We Are.
There is the former Frasier star’s innate verbal and physical comic timing, dry enunciation and general performing intelligence—first showcased while playing Niles Crane—all encased by a charisma and presence that an audience naturally gravitates to. Hyde Pierce has clearly thought whatever the role is through with care. He instinctively plays less-is-more; even when chaos and activity are erupting around him, the actor pitches his performance at a subtle askew. He also has a kind of solid but playful assuredness. Your eyes immediately go to him.
You know, whatever else happens in the next couple of hours, everything that Hyde Pierce is involved in will not just work, but thrum. His is the least boring, most dynamic and affable version of a safe-pair-of-hands.
The post ‘Pirates!‘: David Hyde Pierce Is a National Treasure appeared first on The Daily Beast