Billy Elliot to launch tour at the Oriental

Updated On: 7/22/09 at 01:17 AM

I'm all for it. It'll keep Chicago on the map for producers looking where to plant shows.

And... it's bloody brilliant.

I saw it in March. Everything about the show was really strong except for the score...which is crap lol. But one of the things I loved most about the show was the set, so it'll be interesting to see if they scale it down. I'm sure I'll see it in Chicago!

I love the score. Electricity is fantastic, and I cant listen to The Letter without crying.

Jessica,

GOD, yes! I saw this show in London. I don't understand the hype at all. Mostly it's the music that I don't care for, but I personally don't care for the story, either. Seems kind of cliche to me.

This is one I won't be seeing in Chicago.

chefjoe, I agree that I like shows to sit down in Chicago...but does it have to be Billy Elliot?

I saw Billy Elliot on Broadway and I loved it! I didn't have high expectations, but it is now one of my favorite shows. I will definitely see it again in Chicago. On the topic of other shows having long runs, I saw In The Heights on Broadway and, it may have just been that I saw 3 understudies and 3 swings go on, but I really did not enjoy seeing it.

I think they chose a number for the Tony's that looked really bad out of context. It is the Act 1 closing number where all the problems with the miner's strike and Billy being forced back into boxing instead of dancing, and mourning his dead mother all come to a big climax where he relieves his anger through a dance expressing how he feels like he is being torn apart into pieces. It is a very artistic piece that works a lot better in context.

Considering how extensive and large the set is for Billy Elliot, I'm excited to see what changes will be made for the tour.

Also, I'm wondering if the producers are going to change the "audition" scene for the tour or use the Broadway version. The West End and Australian productions each have their own version of this scene.

The difference is more of a scenic change between all three productions for when Billy goes to audition for the Royal Ballet School.

In the original West End production, the audition is seen by the audience from a side view of the stage with some wings and a cross-section of a proscenium. The audience is able to see Billy's failed audition for the school (e.g., his music tape gets tangled).

In Sydney/Melbourne, the audition scene was cut. Instead, the audience sees a rehearsal room and the confrontation between Billy and the other boy happens there.

On Broadway, there is an upstage crossover corridor though which the audience can see Billy doing some of his audition facing upstage toward a scaled scenic piece of a theatre auditorium (i.e., the audience is seeing Billy from an upstage perspective). Billy now performs only some audition exercises.

The show may tour, but in my opinion if you didn't see it on Bdwy at the Imperial with David, Trent, Kiril or even Tommy, you didn't see Billy Elliot. Still, there will always be Billy collectors who go to see every new Billy, as they do in London. And by the way, good luck, Alex Ko, the first week in October, and also to fellow Canadian Kate Hennig. I hope you prove me so wrong. I will be back to see how you do.

^

Bahahahahahahahahaha!!!

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