My Thoughts on BILLY ELLIOT- Page 2

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:42am

WithoutATrace, they could always do something like what they did for the big press launch a few months ago, which featured all three boys performing "Electricity" simultaneously.

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 10:42 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:46am

ooooohhhh..that'd be awesome!
Updated On: 10/2/08 at 10:46 AM

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:51am

Great review; thanks for posting a well-written and concise summation.

As I recall, in London, act one ended in dim light with Billy walking off the stage with a defiant stare into the audience. I remember thinking how b*llsy that was to trust such a young performer with a bit of blocking that easily could have let contrived. Instead, it set the tone for Billy for the rest of the show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:51am

I'm happy as well as unsurprised to hear these positive comments regarding Billy Elliot. When I saw the show last spring, I predicted it would be a huge smash and possibly overshadow the rest of the shows this season. When I had previously only listened to the CD, I was not terribly interested in the show, but after seeing it, I completely understood the hype. It is a nearly perfect musical. I felt it only needed a couple of really minor changes to put it over the top.

[Zinone]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:52am

Yep, all three original London Billys did the song with Elton John at the Royal Variety Performance (viewable in the usual place).

[LotteTBS138]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:56am

Someone asked this before but from people that saw it, what about the accents? I'm sure they HAD to tone them down and speak with more diction (Geordie's tend to slir the words) but man, I think the accent coach must have made a fortune, just like the dog trainer(s) in Legally Blonde!

[Mamie]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 10:58am

I noticed that it didn't take the vultures long to come out over at ATC. They're knocking just about everything in the show - except Kiril. Sets, costumes, book, lyrics, music. They're even calling for the elimination of Greg's solo. HOW DARE THEY!!!

For the life of me I don't know why people like that insist on hanging around theatre web sites. They obviously hate it too much to give a fair review of anything.

[sanda]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:00am

Do you think the show is completely fixed? Or they still need to do some change.

[LotteTBS138]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:00am

and Mamie, in all courtesy, official reviews should out come after press night or opening night! They are obviously still fixing some bugs!

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:01am

I have a question regarding this show and it's Tony prospects. (I know it's early!)
What happens if one of the Billies is nominated for lead actor in a Musical, but not the other two? Or even more odd, what if two or all three are nominated, and are up against each other for the same part in the same show? Has this kind of thing ever come up before on Broadway? Just wondering.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:06am

Like Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner in 1998, all three Billys will have a joint nomination in 2009 (and will probably win).

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:07am

LotteTBS138, from what I gather, the accents are toned down slightly from London, but they're still extremely strong and very well executed by the cast, who deliver them flawlessly.

sanda, as I alluded to in my review, the main thing I think they need to work on is the pacing, mostly in the first act. Some numbers started to really pick up speed and then sort of just deflated, primarily "Born to Boogie" and "We'd Go Dancing," though most of the problems in the latter seemed to lie in Carole Shelley's uncomfortableness with the very succinct patter of the song, which is something I expect she'll get a better hold on with time.

I understand that the ending of the first act is supposed to feature Billy walking off, but they also need to make that look more deliberate; a stage hand was seen on stage walking behind Kiril as he got toward the wings, and he wasn't directed to have any expression toward the audience either (he looked directly off stage as he exited,) so it looked like more of an error than a purposeful choice. The lighting also didn't make it feel intentional, so that moment should (and probably will) be easily fixed.

I also think they could work on the sound mixing a bit. The singers were often under-amplified against the already under-amplified orchestra (and this coming from someone who was sitting about four rows back in the orchestra.) But again, issues like that are common areas of productivity for previews.

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 11:07 AM

[Mamie]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:23am

I know about the official reviews Lotte. I also remember the 'experts' at ATC writing up horrible critiques of Seussical on its preview opening in Boston. They blasted it for everything - including the costumes WHICH HADN'T BEEN FINISHED YET. They knocked everything - and in a very vicious manner. When the show finally did open, they could hardly drum up an audience. Interestingly enough, some of the lazier critics actually critiqued those same items from the preview days - even though the show had been greatly changed. This brought on countless articles about the unfair effect web sites were having on new productions. Of course it didn't stop any of them from going right on, spewing their venom.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:28am

Does anyone know if there is a Rush or SRO policy for previews?

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:28am

Does anyone know if there is a Rush or SRO policy for previews?

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:33am

They don't have rush and The Imperial doesn't offer SRO.

[sanda]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:34am

Thank you for your kind answering. I did not read your first post very carefully cause I am planning to see the show in the next couple of days and don't want to know too much details. Your answer gives me an idea what phase the show is without giving much spoiler. Thank you again.

[Salene]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 11:53am

Like Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner in 1998, all three Billys will have a joint nomination in 2009 (and will probably win).

Yup. Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire were jointly nominated for the Olivier - and won. Likewise the Aussie Billys (don't remember name of award).
Updated On: 10/3/08 at 11:53 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:26pm

They ARE going to make cuts.

Updated On: 10/2/08 at 04:26 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:26pm

I'll be there tonight!

CANNOT wait!!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:46pm

Last night was exhilarating. That's the best word for it.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 4:48pm

I agree. It was a very special evening and I am still on a high from it.

I want to go back many, many more times!

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 10/2/08 at 8:11pm

I'm a huge fan of the show, and thats the understatement of a lifetime. I saw it in London and it really changed my life. This production is just a good as the London, meaning it's truly brilliant. It has some really great moments, Hadyn Gwinne (to lazy to spellcheck) is a perfect Mrs. Wilckinson, and Frank Dolce, was so hilarious, his "expressing yourself' stole the show. Carole Shelly, Greg Jbara, and Santino Fontini were all also very good.
I know I maybe the only one on the planet who thought this, but I didn't love Kiril in the role. He is clearly a fantastic ballet dancer, and his Electricity and Swan Lake dances were beautiful. That said, I really felt like he was holding back in his performance, he felt really stiff, and a little bit dull. the most dissapointing thing was Angry Dance, which was extremely powerful in London, and maybe my favorite part, but I thought he really was not wonderful in the dance, he was kind of restrained, and didn't cut loose in his rage like he should have. I also didn't really like the changes in choreography made in that number, it felt like it was less about Billy. No matter what it still is a Brilliant, incredible show. And I will most definetly be back

[Kred]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 12:20pm

Sounds like this is really coming along. Can't wait to see this after opening. Good Luck to all the Billy's.

[blanchedubious]

Posted: 10/7/08 at 11:56am

I highly recommend David Alvarez!!!!!
I sow his performance and I absolutely love him. I think this boy is an a very special "gift" to Broadway world.
A Tony for sure!!!!!