Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
"Billy coming to Toronto after Chicago?"
Assuming it closes in Chicago by then, that's how I read it. Wicked had to committ to a year-long run in order for Broadway in Chicago to hold the theater. Based on that blog, it looks as though Billy committed about a year as well, if its plans are for 2011 immediately following Chicago. Though I would guess if ticket sales are strong enough it would extend in Chicago and a different Company would hit the road.
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!
Swing Joined: 1/28/10
I have opened a Billy Elliot the musical video clips page at facebook. It is not country specific, and includes mainly clips from telecasts and press briefings etc from US,UK and Australia. I am preparing one from the new show still auditioning in Korea
The new Billy this week in NY Michael Daminski is my first of 10 showing Michael participating in a class run by Kimberly from PussyCatDolls. Also included is another Australian Billy, ballet boy Rhys Kosawaski. I hope it will bring back a lot of memories and introduce Billys you might not have seen
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=292968535338&ref=ts
Swing Joined: 9/5/09
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?
It's right when you walk in the front door of the theater...there's a sign.
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!
Great review.
(On a related note, Trent looks gigantic next to Seth!)
Seth looks tiny next to anyone, though :) Such a cutie!
And I agree about Phil! Different take on the role and SO good
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/25/08
Did you see Kate Winslet last night? She was there.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/25/08
Question, anyone know why Trent's last performance is being kept so hush hush? Kiril and David had press releases after all...
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/06
It is becuase he does not have an official end date yet. His contract ends on March 7th, but I think that they are waiting to see if alex is ready.
Article on small boy Luke Trevisan:
http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/84758182_Village_youngster_joins__Billy_Elliot__.html
Or maybe they'll keep Trent around until Alex and/or Jacob Clemente (former Tall/Posh Boy) will be ready to start as Billy?
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
So does anyone know if this means Alex is coming back into the rotation? Or is Jacob starting soon? I hope Alex returns ASAP...
Stand-by Joined: 12/8/08
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
If I wasn't out of town, I'd be at Kowalik's final performance.
Fortunately, I was able to catch his show last Sunday evening. Kowalik will be missed. He's still turning in a stellar performance.
Sidenote: Philip Whitchurch, despite looking like he could be Billy's grandfather, is beyond excellent as Dad.
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.
Thanks to those who complimented on my review from 2/2.
I'll be at Trent's last show in a partial view house left seat. Hope others can come!
Does anyone know who's on for Billy this afternoon? I follow the twitter page, it hasn't been updated yet and I'm curious. I'm going to the Actors Fund performance tonight! Very excited but was also hoping to narrow down the possible actors from 4 to 3, barring any really strange circumstances. Anyone know or able to go by the Imperial? Anyone else going tonight? Hope the audience is full for to support the great cause. =)
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.
The late twitter was my fault, sorry.... :/ BTW, next week the Twitter feed turns 1 year old! :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/25/08
Just got a ticket to Trent's last! Kinda excited about being able to say I got to see all three original, not gonna lie...
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?
I believe someone maybe Tessa tweeted one of them was sick and the other had a personal day so Mitchell came back for the night.
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