Highest note that Billy Elliot sings?

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 9:10pm

What's the highest note the character Billy Elliot sings?

[jo]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 9:17pm

I saw BILLY ELLIOT in London two weeks ago. To me, it is not so much how high he sings a note but what heights his dancing can reach ( fantastic!).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 9:27pm

I personally am amazed that the Billy Elliots can dance the hell out of themselves for five straight minutes and then return to belting their ballad for Electricity. My friend actually auditioned to that, and he made it to the second round, but he didn't make it. I can't wait to see it, altough I'm really worried about the accents and their authenticity.

As to the highest note, I've listened to the recording and as far as that goes, it's nothing impressive. I'm willing to bet any tenor could reach it.

[jo]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 10:07pm

The accents do add to the charm of the show

I wouldn't worry too much if the American production does not perfectly emulate the northern England accents. While part of the production, it shouldn't detract too much from the centerpiece of the show - the heartwarming story of a boy's quest for artistic perfection.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 10:33pm

That is extraordinarily true. I can't wait to see Expressing Yourself... Cutest song ever. In the history of cute songs. Best one ever.

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 10:57am

Funny, Billy Elliot has been getting the most play on my iPod lately. Please add me to the list of people who don't want to wait, and want this show here yesterday! I'm just worried they'll try to re-set the show in Buffalo. Isn't that the closest the US has to working class Britain? Or maybe Scranton. Sigh. Anyone else confident that US audiences CAN handle the Geordie accents? Here's to hoping they don't change a blessed thing AND keep the full instrumentation!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:59am

I have no idea how it'll turn out. I really hope the director directs this one too, because he did both the movie and the west-end production. (The musical's based on the movie. Isn't that great??) They can't move it to Buffalo or Scranton or where ever, because it's specifically set during the 1984 Durham County Miner's Strike. I wonder if U.S. audiences will fully grasp that.

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 3:08pm

Well, they moved The Full Monty to Buffalo, hence my comment. I just had visons of a miner's strike in Scranton, PA and lyrics being changed to "Merry Christmas, Ronnie Reagan". :) Or maybe just make it a NYC transit strike

[Chloe]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 4:00pm

I believe that the keys for the songs that Billy sings are adjusted for each boy who does the part, so the highest note changes depending on the actor.

I don't think there's any way this show could be "adapted" for America in that way. Not only is the story very close to the hearts of the writer and director, who worked on both the movie and musical and grew up where the show is set, but Elton wrote the music around English traditions - folk, brass bands, choral groups, music hall and hymns.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 4:37pm

^ And although Merry Christmas Ronnie Regan would be hilarious, it needs to be Maggie Thatcher.
You know what I find sad? Once We Were Kings is my favorite song in the entire show.
And Chloe, do they really change keys for each Billy? That seems like a lot of work, but that's actually kind of cool that they're willing to do that.

[Chloe]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 6:28pm

Yes, I remember reading that in an article about the show. The boys are anywhere between 12 and 15, and their voices differ accordingly. Sometimes the keys have to be progressively lowered as their voices deepen, and of course the actors who have duets with them have to sing in different keys too. The paperwork for the band must be staggering.

The logistics of the show in general are pretty mindboggling. I don't know if it works the same way now, but in the beginning when I saw it, each of the three Billys had his own Michael and Debbie and set of ballet classmates. That's an awful lot of kids to schedule.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 7/20/07 at 2:36pm

I'm scared that they will try to "americanize" it, I think if they do it will ruin it.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 7/20/07 at 2:36pm

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 02:36 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:54pm

Well there's... damn it. This isn't reassuring. I'm trying to think of a British show that wasn't americanized, and all I can think of is Mary Poppins, but the producers/director peoples would be shot if they tried to change it, because it's such a well known story.

Billy Elliot won't be as lucky, you have my word.

[WellIfYouInsist]

Posted: 7/24/07 at 11:58pm

Why is it "sad" that "Once We Were Kings" is your favorite songs? It's a tremendous musical moment.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:00am

I don't know, really. My friend just looks at me really weirdly whenever I mention it, so I thought everyone would be that way. But thinking back, I really don't like her too much anyways...

God, but that song is so beautiful. It's definately one of the best ensemble pieces like, ever.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:04am

It HAS to be Americanized a tad bit or else it won't work. It just won't. I'm sure those lads in England will disagree, saying it is perfect as it is, but I'm afraid it won't do well.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:29am

Well, yeah. I guess it has to be, because otherwise it'll be an obvious failure. I'm just worried about which part they'll sacrafice to be made americanized.