BILLY ELLIOT - First Preview - 10/01/08- Page 2

[Steve2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 9:15am

Thanks for taking the time for your detailed review.

Since it is a transfer I would imagine that very few changes will be made during previews (unlike "A Tale of Two Cities", "Cry-Baby", etc.) Is this correct?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 9:27am

I'm surprised that anyone would think that Grandma's Song is one of the best in the show...but I guess we all have our own opinions.

Steve2: The cast members at the stage door said that many changes will be coming soon. I can't imagine that they would be major changes, but when I see it again, if I notice anything different, I'll point it out.

[D2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 9:34am

I loved it. More than I anticipated. I can't imagine a better Billy than Kiril Kulish - everything that's already been said about his performance is true. He was riveting throughout and carried the show with ease, but when he danced his joy was contagious and blew the roof off the house.

[joe5]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:08am

Thanks WAT! Did anyone seat in the orch? If so, explain seating right or left sides. In terms of partial view seating. Thanks joe
Updated On: 10/2/08 at 10:08 AM

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:54am

Another well-written review; thanks!

I also like "Grandma's Song."

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:55am

Hey, any show that has Sondheim's backing can't be all bad. :)

I'm not a big fan of the score, personally: it comes across as very bland on CD. But hey, show music isn't meant to stand on its own, and the staging sounds incredible.

One more thing: did anyone, on their first listen, flinch when the CHORUS LINE-rhythms started up on the "Dancing" tracks (SHINE, SOLIDARITY)?

One more thing, really: GRANDMA'S SONG... is AWESOME!

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 11:55 AM

[sgv123]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 12:03pm

thanks alot for the review!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:25pm

I'm surprised that anyone would think that Grandma's Song is one of the best in the show

I felt that way when I listened to the CD, but when I actually saw the number performed, it was without a doubt one of my favorite numbers on stage. Gorgeous.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 1:30pm

And Carole performs it really well. She's hilarious.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:15pm

"One slang word seemed to be changed - and it's when Debbie and Billy are in the bathroom talking - "fanny" does not mean the same thing here as there and the joke would have been lost entirely on the audience, so they did change that."

Not wanting to lower the tone, but does Debbie say anything to Billy in the bathroom that has the same shock-effect that her offer did in the London production?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:20pm

Thank you for this Glad to hear all the good stuff.

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:24pm

Any word on weather they will have student rush or anything cheap? I know when I Asked them back in September they said they can't do SRO but nothing was known about rush yet.

Thanks SO much for the response

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:36pm

No rush, no lottery.

Cheapest tickets are 40 bucks.

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:46pm

Do we know if they will implement a rush or lottery after opening?
I think this should I mean Wicked has the lottery and it's a sell out why not have a lottery for Billy Elliot as well?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 2:47pm

WICKED sets aside seats for said lottery.

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:02pm

why wouldn't Billy do the same and set aside seats?

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:02pm

why wouldn't Billy do the same and set aside seats?

[D2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:02pm

He hates you.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:04pm

They told me there is no plan at the moment to do rush or lottery after opening either. They are currently selling all the seats.

And Scripps2 - she makes the exact same offer she does in London - only... and I'm going to feel like a fool typing this out... she says "hoo hoo" - its hysterical. The audience just adored her. The kid playing Debbie is really natural and lacks that precociousness you see in a lot of kids onstage. She's got a really dry delivery that's just a scream.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:20pm

Thanks for the review, I can barely wait to see it on the 25th!

Add another person who absolutely loves "Grandma's Song," its actually the only song in the entire score I love. Loved it on the CD, loved seeing a clip of it on YouTube and figure to love it in person.

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:23pm

Is there a london OCR? I would assume it would be too soon for an OBCR.

[sgv123]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:27pm

yes, there is an OLCR, but i dont think there will be an OBCR.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:32pm

Thanks for posting LeaGirl.

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:33pm

I have never seen the show or heard the CD. Does billy sing? Or is he just a dancer/actor?

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 3:37pm

He sings as well.

Thanks for your review, WAT! I saw it in Sydney and loved it!