The new Billy Elliot love thread — Page 51

to Artful-Dodger/Jack Dawkins:

The Billy Elliot twitter page is twitter.com/BETMNY. They religiously update to list who is on for Billy and Michael and they generally take a picture as well that shows the board for who is Billy, Michael, Small Boy and any other understudies.

The problem is, as people have said, it's impossible to truly know who will be on for any certain performance, especially if it's far into the future. It's still risky and very difficult to predict for the next few performances. For example, Trent was supposed to perform in this past Sunday's matinee but felt sick on Saturday, called out, and then Dayton performed back-to-back performances Saturday evening and Sunday matinee.

If you're dead-set on seeing someone in particular and you are in or near the city, you can check the board or the twitter page to see if that person is on and then stand on the cancellation line. Best of luck!

I'm sorry if this sounds stupid, but what is the cancellation line? Or I guess what I mean is, where is it? Is it in the theater?

Review of Tuesday 2/2 show:

Yesterday, I decided to search for what was available at that night's show, thinking there would be hardly anything left. To my surprise, I found AA 2-4 and A 107-108 still available. I asked some questions about these tickets, particularly A 107-108, here:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1010804&dt=5&boardid=1

I was on the fence and decided to try to get them at the box office after work. The guy in front of me ended up buying the A 107 ticket - of course! I ended up buying the single A 108 seat and my friend opted for a front mezz partial view seat, B 8 in the house right section. (She later said it was a nearly full-view seat, but that she wouldn't like anything further over than that.)

What was most interesting was that the board was being filled in as I was waiting in line at the box office. They listed Michael Dameski as Billy along with a few understudies. By the time I had finished getting tickets (no more than 10 minutes later), they had changed it to be Trent as Billy! I had been dying to see his performance and was thrilled, though I hope Michael is okay and didn't injure himself during warm-ups or anything.

I loved my seat! There is ton of legroom because there are no other seats in front of the middle of row A center, just a half-circle conductor's area. The conductor (for last night, associate conductor Shawn Gough) was not at all distracting (though I should mention this was not my first time at the show, so maybe it would be more distracting for a first viewing). He very discreetly stood up to conduct and, after a number was over, went back into the pit. Unlike other conductors, he wasn't loud (counting or any other noises). What I was most afraid of was the stage height - since I am only 4'11" I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to see the dancing as well, which would've posed quite the problem in this show. The stage wasn't high at all, roughly mid-waist on me, and I could see everything perfectly fine.

After the show I talked to Will Chase. He mentioned it was Liz Pierce's first performance as Mrs. Wilkinson, and I think her performance was spot-on. There were a few quirks: she took a little long to make her entrance when Debbie and Billy are standing outside the bathroom stall and when she slammed the red door it bounced back open (but, then again, there were general door issues last night; they kept reopening and crew members had to reach through and close them). Regardless, I never would have known it was her first time. Her singing, dancing, and portrayal were fantastic - definitely my favorite Mrs. Wilkinson. Will also mentioned it was Natalie Wisdom's first performance as the Dead Mum. Again, I wouldn't have known it was her first time in the role; her singing is beautiful and she and Liz sounded wonderful together. I noticed, though, that Trent was several inches taller than both Liz and Natalie - not quite Hadyn's height! (On a related note, Trent looks gigantic next to Seth!) Also, it was my first time seeing Philip Whitchurch and he too impressed. I thought he brought something fresh to the role that I hadn't seen from Greg Jbara (though I do think Greg's performance is great). All around stellar performances from the supporting cast and kudos to those fantastic understudies!

Thanks for that great review! :)

---

Question, anyone know why Trent's last performance is being kept so hush hush? Kiril and David had press releases after all...

---

Article on small boy Luke Trevisan:
http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/84758182_Village_youngster_joins__Billy_Elliot__.html

An announcement about Trent's last performance was just posted on Playbill.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137189-Tony-Winner-Kowalik-to-End-Billy-Run-in-March

WE dont know...I've stopped assuming anything with this show casting wise, I do hope Alex is back soon. But now that the last original Billy is leaving when do the "So when will Billy close" posts start? lol

I'm glad to hear people are enjoy Phillip. Saw him twice, and he was great the first time, but extremely dead the second time. Completely lifeless on stage, and forgot the words to "Deep Into The Ground." Just stood there trying to figure out where he was after the first line.

Liam and Trevor this afternoon. So it prob be Trent or Michael D tonight with Jake. Hope i'll be at Trent's last performance.

Izzy has great chemistry with Michael D.

http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/culture-club/uncategorized/2010/02/billy-elliot-twirls-into-st-louis-next-year/

Geridith, thanks for your dedication to the twitter feed... without it, I'd be obsessively stalking the Imperial. Happy Anniversary to twitter.com/BETMNY!

Question: why did Mitchell return as Small Boy the other day? Was something wrong with both Seth and Luke, was it scheduled, or is he coming back into the rotation?