Review of "Billy Elliot", 12/19 @8, Dayton's 1st show!

Hi gang,

Thanks to all those who answered my thread on a new 'Billy' on Saturday night, because most of you were right. I got to see Dayton's first show.

First off Trevor was on for 'Michael', Matthew played the 'Small Boy', and David Eggers played the 'Pit Supervisor'. Otherwise, we had a full cast and surprisingly a full house for the weather conditions.

Where to start is hard with a show like this, but I'll start with Trevor. In my opinion no one can play the role as well as David, but Trevor held his own. He did his own thing a few times which really stood out and made the role his own. He is in no way copying David or Frank. I don't want to say what he did so I don't spoil it for you, but he really made some terrific and funny choices.

Kate Hennig as 'Mrs. Wilkinson' also had some big shoes to fill. She absolutely sound exactly like Haydn, but the looks are a little different. They changed her costume slightly since she is a little plump, but it was fine. It was her HEAVY eye make-up which really threw me, but then I realized they wanted to portray her as a sleazy woman who saw the talent and was able to teach him. It works better in my opinion since your first impression of her now is not a good one.

Dayton is by far the best singer of all the other 'Billy's'. He cries much more than any other 'Billy', and in my opinion made the role his own as well. He "Electricity" was electric. (Sorry for the pun). A couple of time he didnt stop in time while dancing though. No biggie, as he has to get used to this stage and production. He twirled into Kate during "Solidarity", but caught himself well so he stopped right at her. At the end of "Electricity" he was spinning after the music ended. He seemed to do some street dancing into the scene which worked very well. As I said it was very fresh. I remember Kiril's interesting moves and thought no one could top him, but Dayton's moves were exceptional. No big deal though and I don't think anyone who hadnt seen the show before would have noticed these things.

I did like Stephen Hannah better than Easton Smith as 'Older Billy'. I just felt he had more of a powerhouse presence.

As a whole the ensemble really stood out, as they seemed to be a little more energetic than the last time.

Having sat in the first row this time, I now saw just how much of the show is on tape like "Phantom", but sitting anywhere else you wouldnt even notice it.

The show is in tip top shape, and still as exciting and fresh as ever.

Any questions on anything I didnt cover, please just ask.

Happy Holiday's to all!!!

The entire "Swan Lake" was a tape, as was a lot of "Solidarity", and "Electricity". The singing was not all live during "Solidarity", but you would never notice it. There were some other parts as well which I can't remember. A few times the conductor conducted while some of the musicians did nothing, but music played. This was also very noticeable during the "Angry dance" as well.

I really thought Kate sounded exactly like Haydn, but that's the great thing about theatre. You can have 10 people's opinion, and they will almost always be different!

Updated On: 12/21/09 at 06:21 PM

I sat in the front row once, and did not notice any of the "conductor conducting while some of the musicians did nothing, but music played" except for Swan Lake.

If so Phantom and Mamma Mia would be in trouble.

and 'Shine'

Well, there's a difference between singing off-stage and lyp-syncing. I actually knew that about Mamma Mia but I forgot, thanks DRS.

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There was a video of some of the cast singing in the offstage booth on broadway.com. It's in one of Gregory Jbara's vlogs.

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