Joe Biden At Billy Elliot 2/13

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 1:21am

Hi gang,

This was my 3rd visit to Billy and I have now seen all 3 original Billy's. (Tonight was David) and he was incredible! He was definitely the funniest Billy of the 3. It's hard to pick a favorite Billy since all 3 are equal in their own right, but I can say Trent is my least favorite. By the way Tony, and older Billy were out and Frank was on as Michael and if I had to pick one I prefer David as Michael because he was a bit funnier but they both play the role so perfect.

Anyway at 5 to 8 the entire Orchestra section stood up and cheered and clapped as the Secret Service led Joe and his wife down to his seats...right next to me!! I am not kidding. We were Orch, F 2-4, and he was F 114 with his wife in 113. He waived to the crowd, said thank you and sat down. I introduced myself, shook his hand and asked him to sign my playbill which he did. He was very nice and gracious. (Now I realize why I thought I saw what looked the like Secret Service walking up and down the line of people waiting to go in.) They did not wand though.

At 8 the ushers asked everyone to take their seat but by then the crowd around him was so large that they had to start as he was signing for people. At intermission he stayed in his seat the whole time and a line of people gathered to meet him. The Secret Service stood behind him but did not stop anyone from approaching him.

Just as the final curtain came down the Secret Service told him to follow them down from to a door leading back stage. He looked at us, said "nice to meet you, goodnight", and followed his crew. A minute or so later we heard the cast backstage cheer loudly as they greeted him.

There were 2 huge armored cars with many Secret Service waiting for him with Washington DC plates and I overheard he would be driven back. I still can't believe the VP was my neighbor for 3 hours. By the way he laughed at the show, clapped along during the finale and gave the 2 standing ovations. It was a terrific show and an honor to meet the VP!


Updated On: 2/14/09 at 01:21 AM

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 1:36am

Sounds like a great night! Your lucky you got to meet him!!

[yankees1253]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 2:42am

nice that you met him and got to see your favorite billy. hope joe helps improves our messed up economy.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 4:29am

Who went on as Tony?? Was it David Larsen or Jeff Kready?

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 7:10am

That's so cool he was right next to you! Glad both of you enjoyed the show!

[timjones6643]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 10:30am

Shouldn't he have been home reading the 1100 page stimulus bill nobody read. I mean, he is the President of the Senate and would have been the deciding vote should Snowe, Collins, or Spector go out on a limb...actually read the bill...and vote against it. But hey, it's great you got to meet him. That's way cooler than knowing he was actually TRYING (or pretending) to do his job. Ah, the new winds of change!

PS Before you attack...I voted for him "with one hand and crossed my fingers with the other." Look up that reference...I can't do all the work for you.

[Chip12]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 10:32am

That's so cute! Go Obama! Updated On: 2/14/09 at 10:32 AM

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 11:24am

Who went on as Tony??

[BroadwayBuff4Life]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 11:37am

David Larsen went on as Tony last night. He got huge applause at curtain call and actually really surprised me! I loved Santino in the role, but David really brought his A game and wasn't far behind. His chemistry with Greg was also incredible, and overall he impressed me. Grant Turner was on as Older Billy, and the only mistake I saw was when he accidently knocked over his chair during swan lake. Other than that he was fine.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 11:41am

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1687010

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 11:49am

I would've loved to see David Larsen. More than anything. He's an incredible performer.

If he is set to go on again, and anybody knows about it, PLEASE post here or PM me!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 12:45pm

I read the thread title wrong at first and thought is said "Joe Biden aS Billy Elliot" and I thought "Well, that must have been interesting".

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 12:54pm

what a sleaze!

TimJones - amen to that.

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 12:59pm

"Shouldn't he have been home reading the 1100 page stimulus bill nobody read. I mean, he is the President of the Senate and would have been the deciding vote should Snowe, Collins, or Spector go out on a limb...actually read the bill...and vote against it."

"what a sleaze! TimJones - amen to that."

Before making uneducated comments, please read up on how laws are passed. The VP votes in ties, and if Snow, Collins, or Specter (or anyone) changed their vote, then they wouldn't have the SIXTY votes needed. Under no circumstances would Biden be voting on the stimulus.

[Hank]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 2:28pm

Thanks for the report.
It's very interesting to hear about high ranking people, especially ones that I like such as Joe Biden, attending Broadway theatre, and all the security hastles they must go through.

[KJP2]

Posted: 2/14/09 at 6:48pm

David will be going on next week, for all but Thurs & Friday (2/17-2/22)

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 1:49am

Thank you SO much for the information.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 1:51am

Wait, so he's not on Thursday?
EDIT: I thought you were talking about Alvarez, nevermind.

Updated On: 2/15/09 at 01:51 AM

[rjjn]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 2:38am

Maybe all these high-profile politicians seeing Broadway shows will help bring in more people! And Joe Biden would have only been voting for the stimulus bill if it was a tie (and with the second Minnesota seat empty, that would have been impossible, 99 senators).

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 3:54pm

Billy Elliot’s Trent Kowalik With Vice President Joe Biden: Billy Elliot’s Trent Kowalik poses with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden after a performance of Billy Elliot: the Musical, February 13, 2009

[Elke]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 4:05pm

Thanks for sharing your story. :) Glad to hear that you had an excellent time.

FilmMagic has a series of pictures: http://www.filmmagic.com/ItemListing.aspx?cgl=354541&evntI=0 I'm sure a number of these will be published on Broadway.com shortly.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 4:14pm

Do I see a black and white playbill? Did Billy Elliot switch over as well?

[bythesword84]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 4:15pm

Yes, when I went on Tuesday the Playbill had switched to black and white.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 4:19pm

Wow, I expected them to stay in color.

[willep]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 5:19pm

Yeah I definitely thought they would keep the color around longer...stinks, they were nice in color...