BILLY ELLIOT reviews- Page 5

[sgv123]

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

i believe tonight is Trent.

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

[Salene]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:22am

There are so many bold, arrestingly staged pictures in Billy Elliot that I could fill an entire column with them.

http://lightingandsoundamerica.com/news/story.asp?ID=-8LNQED

[Salene]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 8:30am

It seems a bit over the top to say that one show can be so special. But it simply does not do justice to say that "Billy Elliot' is full of joy and pain, laughter and tears, tender moments and outrageous scenes. Director Stephen Daldry and writer Lee Hall, combined with the music of Elton John, manage to blend the story of Billy against the backdrop of the strike so perfectly, that even if you have never seen the film, even if you know nothing about the history of the strike, even if you have no idea who Margaret Thatcher is, you will still be entertained and moved.

http://tinyurl.com/5s6ykv

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 12:30pm

Salene,
That first reference you gave came closer to matching my feelings about this incredible show than any other. I can't thank you enough for finding and posting it!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 5:10pm

And for the record...

"Oh, Billy Elliot; the first 45 minutes - the staging - is one of the most exciting things I ever saw in my life, I think the first half of the first act is wonderful. But for me it's a triumph of staging, but at least it has something to say. It tries to deal with character; it isn't a jukebox musical."

Stephen Sondheim (on the London production),
Q&A Session with The Stephen Sondheim Society,
21st May 2006, Queen's Theatre, London.

On a personal note it was that comment that made me go see it, as my prejudice had lead me to believe it would be nothing more than a two-and-half-hour version of what At The Ballet says in two-and-a-half minutes. How wrong I was and how glad I was that I took Mr Sondheim's encouragement.

[pdjennings]

Posted: 11/27/08 at 9:25am

RE: Michael Dale's Blog Review

I just read it ... and wow ... somebody didn't get it at all. Nearly every criticism he has is something that was taken directly from the film, which he admits to not having seen.

That's like going to see a Harry Potter movie, without having read the books, and complaining about "all the magic stuff."

[Salene]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 8:50am

Is "Billy Elliot" a perfect musical? It'll make you laugh and cry and even think ... You think to yourself, why aren't more Broadway shows this good? Pricey-ness aside, this delicious British import fulfills the promise of the film that inspired it and should enjoy a long, prosperous sojourn on this side of the Atlantic.

http://tinyurl.com/6e7vuv

[sgv123]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 7:32pm

Does anyone know who went on for Billy last night and who is on tonight?

[Salene]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 9:36am

New York is gaga over the new musical based on the movie of the same name. And it's understandable.

With music by Elton John, it's got a score that shows inspirations from traditional tunes and protest songs, and it beautifully reflects the emotions that wrap this moving piece: anger, passion, loss, discovery, tolerance.

"Billy Elliot" is about a young boy who discovers an affinity for dance. Ballet, to be specific. It's not a profession befitting the son of a miner.

The story — which doesn't veer much from the movie — takes place on the eve of Britian's miners strike in 1984. Billy's father — played by a thrilling, heartbreaking Gregory Jbara — is too wrapped up in the impending strike and the death of his wife, Billy's mum, to take much notice of the young boy.
There are magical moments in this. "Solidarity," sung by the miners, will make you want to get up and march with them. And "Electricity," Billy's stunning number where he tries to explain what dancing does to him, is an homage to art.

The role of Billy rotates among three young men. On the night we saw it, young Trent Kowalik, who played one of the Billys in the wildly popular London production, was making his Broadway debut. He is a remarkable young talent with feet that move with precision and passion.

This just opened in November; expect it to win big when it comes Tony time in June.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/271232