BILLY ELLIOT planning 'creative changes.'

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:37pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BILLY-ELLIOT-Plans-Changes-Creative-Cuts-20110902

oy.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:50pm

Thud.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:50pm

Thud.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:54pm

Bye bye Billy!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:58pm

Artistic FAIL.

Let's take out the male frontal nudity and shower scenes from TAKE ME OUT to get high school sports teams to come to it.

Let's produce "Joyce DeWitt's RENT" Off-Broadway to appeal to the Southern Dinner Theatre Crowd.

Let's make Diana Goodman struggle with PMS so more Church Groups attend.

WTF??

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:58pm

When I went to see it on tour, where things like this happened, I was really shocked about the profanity cuts to make the show more marketable, and I think I even posted about it on here. I am a big fan of this show, and one of the things I loved about it was that it was a hit despite the profanity, accents and regional references. This leaves an admittedly bad taste in my mouth.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:07pm

Horrible horrible decision... I must get back to see the show before these changes are implemented. Billy Elliot is probably my favorite musical [of the last 10 years] and I would honestly rather see the show close with its integrity than see them take the grit out of it.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:08pm

Keep the profanity but do it wid a Joisey accent- dat otta make it more unnerstanable aight!

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:08pm

What are Billy Elliot's running costs?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:21pm

What do people want? The movie was rated R. I haven't seen the musical yet, but this could be a turn off for me.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:27pm

It doesn't seem to be the "people" clamoring for change. The producers are just trying to milk every penny they can -- even if it mean watering down whatever "grit" the show may have.

I know their sales have dipped a bit, but I cannot imagine their advance is in serious trouble that they truly have concerns.

Could this just be a way for the producers to create a bit of buzz for the show?

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:33pm

I wonder if they'll eliminate the gay subtext.

[SmallTownDiva]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:03pm

While I think this is a horrible idea, with the language toned down I may now be willing to take my son to see it.
I absolutely loved the show in its original state.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:10pm

The language was already toned down a lot from movie to show in London, and then even more from London to Broadway (among other changes), and from what I heard these planned Broadway changes are similar to the changes made for the tour. This just seems completely ridiculous after the show has been running for almost 3 years. Also, I want to know what they mean by "making the show easier to understand." Are the characters going to suddenly adopt American accents?
Updated On: 9/2/11 at 11:10 PM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:21pm

I don't think anyone would've even noticed the changes made for the tour if they were seeing it for the first time or didn't know the show well. I had seen it on Broadway and listened to the recording countless times before seeing it again on tour, but a friend who saw it first on tour then on Broadway noticed no difference. I do think it still is ridiculous to cut out instances of the f-word in "Solidarity". Those words are in the show for a reason.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:39pm

This is so desperate. I give the show less than a year.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:43pm

Anyone surprised by the language used by the kids in the show really needs to take a walk down the hallway of a middle school. Or, on occasion, an elementary school. I don't think these changes will draw in any more people.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 12:13am

How COULD someone that hasn't seen the show notice changes? They have nothing to compare it to!


It just smells of money-whoring desperation.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 12:16am

Coming in 6 years: The family-friendly 15 minute long version of "The Book of Mormon," with 8 shows daily!

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 12:30am

Wow...I am really stupid. This is why we re-read before we post. What I should've said is that someone who had seen the show before probably wouldn't notice the changes.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 12:35am

I saw the tour as well. The changes didn't bother me. I just think it's baffling that the producers think this will keep that afloat. I wouldn't be shocked if it closed by the end of the year...

[gypsy4]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 1:57am

they've also brought the Tour to a Holt.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 3:09am

thats fuc*ing stupid.

There was a girl about eight at the show behind me and it didn't poising her purity.

Really, how can one make the plot more accessible? Its so easy to understand.

I'd rather it close with dignity than make changes like this. Really. I didn't even notice the swearing, rather, it did not bother me or any around me the times I've seen it. It was humorous.

Please walk down any grade hallway. Hear what those kids have to say. Billy Elliot will look like Barney to the crude phrases I've heard daily in school.
Updated On: 9/3/11 at 03:09 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 5:52am

There's a difference between what kids MIGHT say, and what parents are willing to pay 100+ bucks to allow their kids to hear.


I think it's fine that the show isn't for everyone. If a family needs/wants whitewashed family entertainment, it exists, on broadway, off broadway and lots of other places.

I really have a hard time believing that their future sales have dipped so low that they are feeling desperate -- am I alone in this?


For the record: this is not a show that a lot of kids care about (until after they see it). They don't know the movie. Last spring was the first time my HS kids requested to see it. Only a small portion of them LOVED it. Many LIKED it. Most thought it was overrated. (I was so proud!) I couldn't get my own spawn interested until they watched the Tony Awards (how that number changed their minds is beyond me, though.)

BTW my kids were 8 & 12.

Updated On: 9/3/11 at 05:52 AM

[evic]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 8:40am

Oh Brother!- After 3 years they decide to sugar it up for the Christian crowd who gets offended by profanity? Keep this over rated show intact and let it run its course and close. Not a bad run for a mediocre show. Will they reduce the cast as well to save money?