Just Back From "Billy Elliot"- I Am Speechless!!!

thanks for the review! Was the finale in?

Does anyone know which billy will be on for the Mat. tomorrow or who was on last night?

Updated On: 10/18/08 at 12:52 AM

I saw it for the first time tonight as well and I completely agree with everything you said. I'm assuming the finale is the final dance with the leads bowing individually after the first bow. If so, yes that was in it.

ya wanker

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I was there tonight as well.

I also had a wonderful time and thought it was a great show. Kiril is fantastic. His dancing blew me away. I was utterly amazed that a 13 year old (or thereabouts) had that much talent. Simply wonderful. I assume the other two Billys are just as good. I hope the three of them get to share a joint Tony nomination (and maybe even a win!!) for this role.

The other standout in the cast for me was Haydn Gwinne as Mrs. Wilkinson. Very nuanced, layered performance. I liked Gregory Jbara a LOT more in act 2, where I felt like he was kind of brilliant. In act 1, he didn't get much to do, and just walks around looking sullen most of the time. Carole Shelley was fine, but I wish she had more to do, and I wish she had a better song to sing.

The evening's highlights were the act 1 finale (the "angry dance") and Electricity. Those were just beautifully executed on all levels, from Kiril's dancing, right down to the lighting. Daldry staged those, and all the entire show, for that matter, brilliantly. It was a gorgeous show to watch unfold. He kept the show moving along, but didn't seem to rush anything. I actually believe, at this point, that the Best Director of a Musical Tony is Stephen Daldy's.

Oddly enough, because I know I'm in the minority, the weak point of the show for me was the score. Mind you, it's still the best score of the season thus far, but I didn't think it was "brilliant." Mind you, there are some beautiful melodies at work, but a few of the numbers just don't seem to work for me. In particular, I was not a fan of the cross-dressing Express Yourself number, which started off cute, but went on far too long.

Yes, the seat had its apparently regular malfunction near the end of act 1. I knew there was trouble when a stagehand was standing alongside Billy as he entered for that scene. It only took them about 10 minutes, however, and they were back underway. Unfortunately, the ignorant people seated on either side of me tonight were not pleased and making all kinds of nasty remarks on their surveys. The woman on my right was so clueless that she was complaining before the show about how many understudies were on (there were none- the three roles on the u/s slip tonight are all rotated, so the names represented which actor was appearing at this performance).

I do agree with others that the curtain call number is a bit too long. I disagree with whomever said that the audience never had a chance to erupt for Billy. I think the big "Billy bow" occurs when the curtain comes back up and the name "BILLY" is in lights, and Billy is alone onstage.

Overall, while its not the greatest theatrical experience of my life, it is a WONDERFUL show, easily the best new musical of the season so far (not hard to do when your competition is title of show, 13, and A Tale of Two Cities). I had a great time and highly recommend it.

Oh, and for those who were wondering, I thought the $41.50 seats were a great value. I had no trouble seeing anything. Definitely a great option for people who don't want to take out a second mortgage to see the show.

Updated On: 10/18/08 at 01:24 AM

Confuse the audience! OH PLEASE! What are you on?

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

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So happy to read yet another rave! I am so excited to see this in two weeks. I really hope they can work out all of these technical kinks soon.

<< Its so obvious its the finale for gods sake- i've seen the show 5 times in London and the entire audience knew it was over when Billy left saying bye to Michael! -THEN the big finale starts - what else do you need to be told its over! If people think the finale gores on 'a tad too long' then i guess they didn't really enjoy the show that much and cant wait to leave the theatre! >>

Maybe, I didnt clarify-- (or, you just choose to be nasty? -- your perrogative)

People knew it was the "finale".. they just didnt know when the "finale" was actually going to end.

And like I said previously, all of these people (including myself) LOVED the show !!

Your really should try and be just a tad bit more respectful in your replies.

Robert,

It is AMAZING!!! Really brilliant!

Not sure where you think I'm being disrespectful to you but I'm not.
I don't understand why your saying people don't know when it ends??? The finale is only 5 mins long and its a celebration of the show itself. London audiences certainly aren't confused as to when it finishes. Yours with the greatest respect!

Updated On: 10/18/08 at 10:29 AM

Ah. That makes more sense.

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Glad you enjoyed it!

I was going to see this with a friend of mine, but unfortunately had to forgo that because it was too expensive and I'm in somewhat of a financial bind. She's going to see it, though,and hopefully she'll love it as much as you have. (:

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