BILLY ELLIOT reviews- Page 4

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/14/08 at 1:30pm

Isn't it great to see a new show that is "big" in every sense of the word with a lot of heart and electric performances!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/14/08 at 2:26pm

If I had to write a review I'd definitely give it a mixed review. Yes, the book has problems, yes it lags at some points (that second act is interminable, especially after "Electricity"), yes there are plenty of underdeveloped characters (sorry, don't see why people think Gregory Jbara needed more than one word in Brantley's review, he is a good actor stuck with a somewhat misconceived/underdeveloped character whose song stops the show cold, and not in a good way). However, the good aspects of the show make me forget about every negative aspect, it is so fantastic. The choreography is truly integrated with the show, the acting is top-notch, the message is uplifting and feels real (it's not Disneyfied in the way that say WICKED feels), and when the songs are good, they are great.
I really do think it's the best original musical (not revival) playing on Broadway at the time and I cannot wait to see it again. Congrats on the reviews.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/14/08 at 5:35pm

Here is the ad they've generated with the pull quotes:

[ArtMan]

Posted: 11/14/08 at 6:29pm

Went to the show on November 12 and sat in the $41 seats. The view is not perfect but you get what you pay for. If I wanted to be close up I would have paid the higher prices. Only negative...if you are over 5'10 there is no leg room. If you are tall like me (6'3) you have my sympathy. I went in without hearing the score and only knew of the plot from reading from others on BroadwayWorld. I saw Kirl(?) and thought the show was fantastic. The three hours went by very quickly and did not drag...like say Equus. My major negative was they did not sell merchandise during the show. I was told that nightthey sell only during the day. I believe after opening they will. But my complaint was when I went to pick up my will call ticket during the day ...I looked at the merchandise. The seller, not once offered the information that merchandise was not being sold at night "during previews and/or press nights.) I'm not sure which was the reason. I was forced to pay higher prices at the nearby shops. I was offered to purchase online...but then would have been forced to pay shipping. Which like ticketmaster fees I hate to do.

[Just_John]

Posted: 11/14/08 at 11:59pm

That's really weird that they weren't selling merchandise during the show. I saw a night show and they were selling merchandise.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 12:26am

I generally hate the WSJ -- and their politics -- but I think their review was dead on on every single point. They nail the chief problem of BILLY ELLIOT, or at least what I found to be the problem: there is zero emotional truth to anything, it feels like glitzed-up, overdone sentiment, and to use their word, bogus.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 8:45am

I agree.

[Salene]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 3:02pm

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859143,00.html

The version that just opened on Broadway — directed, as it was in London, by Stephen Daldry — has lost a little of the power it displayed on its home turf. But if Prime Minister Gordon Brown's bank-rescue plan can become the model for the rest of the world's finance ministers, there's no reason why Billy Elliot — the best musical to come out of Britain since Miss Saigon — can't bridge the cultural chasm too.

[Hank]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 3:22pm

So good to see all these raves!
I loved this show, can't wait to see it again (Dec 9).
My only qualm, the Imperial Theatre. For a show like this, that shall run for years (and years), they should have done a make-over.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 3:21am

Who has NOT seen BE yet and would like to?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 3:49am

Me, but I have tix for Xmas day.

[mwill]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 5:59am

They nail the chief problem of BILLY ELLIOT, or at least what I found to be the problem: there is zero emotional truth to anything, it feels like glitzed-up, overdone sentiment, and to use their word, bogus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Exactly. 100%. The show will only do well because of the cast. Repeat performances have nothing to do with the score or the book. It is all about celebrating the cast.

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 8:08am

Which, no doubt, accounts for the cross the board panning the show received. The rare praise was obviously coming from people who didn't have a clue as to what real theatre and real people were all about.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 8:16am

Mamie, just because the majority of critics have differing opinions than us doesn't make our opinions any less valid.

[mwill London]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 5:18pm

The real mwill thinks this show works because a young lad entertains you for 3 hours. He dances, he sings and he acts.

But thanks for stealing my username.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 5:21pm

I really, really want to see this show!!

[sgv123]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 6:11pm

I saw the show again last night with Trent(3rd time seeing him), and he just keeps getting better and better. This was the best audience I have ever been a part of. It was a great audience. Standing ovation before "Electricity" even ended. I cannot wait to go back again. I have my tickets for 2 more performances.

PS- The lady at the box office, said that they were not told about any raising of the prices. Also the programs are out, and they are fantastic. $10 opening week.

Updated On: 11/17/08 at 06:11 PM

[broadfan327]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 7:07pm

I was there Saturday night as well, and it was the second time I saw the show. I enjoyed it as much or even more than the first time I saw it, even though I was in a $41 seat.

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/17/08 at 11:54am

I was there on Saturday night as well, after standing in the cancellation line and getting a front row center ticket!

It was the second time I've seen the show, and it was even better the second time around. I saw Kiril the first time and was thrilled to see Trent this time. He was incredible. His Billy felt more 'real' than Kiril's (although yes, Kiril was fantastic), and his dancing was phenomenal. Being in the very front row was a treat - to see the emotions and the joy from the actors up-close was very special, at least to me. And to have Trent dancing up a storm only a foot away from me was awesome. The audience was fantastic too - Trent got his standing ovation during 'Electricity', which was certainly well-deserved, and of course again at the end of the show, and several thunderous rounds of applause (including one during 'Solidarity' when he did his turns across the stage) that lasted for close to a minute each. He gave me chills.

I'm going to try to get tickets to see it again around Christmas, when I have some vacation time - I can't wait.
Updated On: 11/17/08 at 11:54 AM

[mwill]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 1:24pm

Excuse me??? How did I steal your username? It was available when I registered. Weird.

I personally feel that the success of the show is down to the whole cast and not just the actors playing Billy.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 5:55pm

Finally a show to cheer about. Intelligent, emotional (I heard sobbing all around me at various points during the show), inspiring, uplifting, heartwarming and bittersweet. I can't remember the last time a show filled me with such elation. Everyone around me was raving and the buzz at intermission was the most positive I've heard in years. Kiril was amazing, but I loved everything about this show. The male ensemble sounds terrific. Carole Shelley was brilliant, and Greg Jbara is giving the performance of his career. Saw Haydn in London, and she's even better now. It was fun to see Merle Louise (and I bet she makes a terrific grandmother). After suffering thru duds like Tale of 2 Cities, 13, [tos], and White Christmas ... Billy Elliot is a welcome addition to the Broadway scene ... and it will be around for years.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 11:39pm

Just got back from seeing BILLY.

* * * * out of 5

The best parts - and there are many - are musical theatre at its finest. They help gloss over the weaknesses, mainly the score. Elton John's compositional skills have deteriorated very badly when a show like this fails to yield one single standout tune. (Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Pas de Deux doesn't count.) The book cheats with some easy jokes and a few underdeveloped characters (Michael in particular. Billy's kiss would mean a lot more if Michael had been more than central to the action.) The production values, choreography and direction generally excellent. Cast terrific, with Billy (Trent tonight)a real star performance. The Angry Dance that concludes Act one was a stunner.

Great audience but a lot of out-of-town reviewers in tonight.

Updated On: 11/23/08 at 11:39 PM

[Just_John]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 11:45pm

Were they selling anything for Broadway Cares after the show tonight?

[jess20882]

Posted: 11/20/08 at 12:13pm

does anyone know which billy will be performing tonight?

[sgv123]

Posted: 11/20/08 at 3:48pm

i believe tonight is Trent.

11/18- Trent
11/19- mat- david
11/19- eve- Kiril