Billy Elliott

Critiqued by Holly Bartges

June2, 2011

It runs until June 5, and if you haven't experienced it DON'T MISS IT. Everything they say about it on the commercials is absolutely true, and then some. Billy Elliott playing at the Buell Theatre at DCPA is THE "Theatrical Event of the Year." It isn't "just-a-watching-theatre-piece". It is an awesome experience that will keep your mouth open from the moment the house lights dim until the last note is sung. Bill Elliott is about hope, devastation, loss, learning to love, discovery, working through anger, and recovering from a political slap in the face. It's economic life at its core. Although the story has been around since the movie first appeared in 2000, its effect in our current economic times is prophetic.

Giuseppe Bausilio in Billy Elliot the Musical. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

It's 1984, and Margaret Thatcher, England's Prime Minister decides she will pull the plug on the coal industry. She succeeds, leaving many small coal mining towns hanging high and dry. They're not about to give up, fighting for the lives and their long history of livelihood. In the midst of the strikes, the son of a coal minor, Billy, finds himself, following a boxing lesson, thrust into a ballet class.

A ballet class? An all boy from a coal mining family in an all girl ballet class? Absurd. Oh really?

Produced by Universal Stage Productions World Title Films Old Vic, the touring show is astutely directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn with astonishing choreography by Peter Darling. Music written by Elton John with the Book and lyrics written Lee Hall will go down as a classic. It was when John first saw the 2002 film; he envisioned it as a musical. Oh, was he ever right.

Because of the demanding choreography featuring several different dance forms, it is little wonder there are five talented young men alternating as Billy. Opening Night featured Giuseppe Bausilio. His style, his grace, his talent, and energy knocked everyone for a loop. However, the word on the street from a variety of different people acknowledged that the other four were just as awesome. They include Ethan Fuller, Kylend Hetherington, Len Ishimoto, and Daniel Russell. I talked with people who had seen each one, and all of their eyes bugged out from admiration.

Cast of Billy Elliott Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Billy accidently gets hooked into a ballet class taught by the unhappy, disappointed, hard-nose teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, wonderfully played by Littleton native Susie McMonagle. She perfectly captures the heart and soul of this demanding teacher. Billy was only there to give her a key. She assumes anyone around is there for her class and she expects participation. In the confusing process, Billy discovers he has a talent for dance, and he likes it.

The conflict between his Father, grippingly played by Rich Herbert, and his brother Tony, played by Jeff Kready with a near frightening tone, takes on an almost too realistic approach. Not only do they have to deal with the loss of their livelihood in the coalmines, but also when they discover Billy wants to dance and wants to go the Royal Ballet School. It is a scenario played out in skillions of homes every year where parents have expectations for their children and the children have other dreams. The honesty with which Billy Elliott is written, produced and directed carries it far beyond just another musical. It is ground breaking for its sense of honest reality.

Every song stands at the top of the list from the beginning with The Stars Look Down to Mrs. Wilkinson expecting her Ballet Girls and Billy to Shine, to Grandma, deliciously played by Patti Perkins, lamenting the difficult relationship with her husband. She could tolerate a great deal, however, because We'd Go Dancing for an hour and she could lose herself in reverie, forgetting his drinking.

The choreography chronicling the conflict between the minors, the police, and the Ballet class expresses the conflict on the various levels. To have the many different emotions reflect in the dances so wonderfully choreographed, so honestly portrayed grips the heart and soul.

Susie McMonagle (Mrs. Wilkinson) and Daniel Russell (Billy) in Billy Elliot the Musical. Photo by Doug Blemker.

A gentle moment arrives when Billy remembers his Mum, seeing her, hearing her, as she is graciously played by Beverly Ward. Her letter to him, Dear Billy, is touching, and you can't help but feel for every child whose mother has passed away.

The love of dance comes strong with the song Born To Boogey with Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy, and pianist, Mr. Braithwaite. The song and the music leave everyone feeling they too were born to dance.

Devastated, but understanding community and sharing what they have with each other, the coal miners still celebrate Christmas with an exquisite puppet show and song Merry Christmas Margaret Thatcher. They laugh and they jab at the same time.

His father's anger, Tony's explosive reaction to the dream of a ballet school sends Billy into a tumultuous fury of the Angry Dance. You feel his hurt, his frustration at the same time marveling at the physicality of the high-powered dance.

The realization that Billy is good with his dancing, and indeed has a talent, comes slowly and hard for Father and Tony. In the song He Could Go And He Could Shine expresses the understanding that Billy has an opportunity to make something of himself. It's the coalmining community that pools their meager resources to send Billy to audition at the Royal Ballet School.

Every moment of this production stands out. It's one breath-taking scenario after another of truth, history and experience taking musicals to another level.

Every member of the cast is a top-notch performer. Rick Fisher's lighting design reflects the multi-emotional turmoil and the celebration of life at its core.

Billy's response to what dance does for him comes with thought and thrill in the song Electricity. Dancing for him is like flying. When he dances with the shadow of an older Billy, (Regan Mason Haley) feeding his success, the flying through the air, around and around is a thrill beyond measure.

Billy Elliott has the potential to do more than entertain, wow the audience, and marvel at the honesty of the characters, it holds the opportunity of opening eyes. And that would be the greatest tribute of all.

Time is short. Would that Billy Elliott could extend its run at the Buell, but if wishes were horses beggars would ride.

Billy Elliott