‘Dance, Billy, Dance’
Last night David and I went to the 8PM performance of Billy Elliot the Musical at the Imperial Theater and had an amazing Broadway experience. Back when we went to London, England for my birthday in July we talked about catching a show in the West End and were planning to see Billy Elliot there. Unfortch, due to time constraints, we weren’t able to make the show … so I was really interested in seeing the show here on Broadway:
I am a big fan of the film Billy Elliot so I hoped that the stage version would do the story justice … and I have to say that they did just that. For our performance, we got Trent Kowalik as Billy (the show has 3 boys who trade off playing the lead role, Trent is the only one of the Broadway Billys to play the part in London) and he was absolutely phenomenal. I’m sure all of the lead Billys are superb but I have a hard time imagining that any of the other two (David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish) are more talented than Trent is. That kid can dance! And sing! He was a delight to watch on stage.
David Bologna played Billy’s friend Michael and he was a delight as well … just hammy enough to pull off the part perfectly. The role of Small Boy was played by the cutest little kid ever … Mitchell Michaliszyn (who looked a lot like David when he was a little boy, so you can imagine his cuteness). The stage version of the show is a great adaptation of the film … even tho none of the songs are really very memorable for me (ie. I wasn’t humming any of them as I left the theater). I loved the way they handled the reading of Billy’s mom’s letter to him. I ain’t gonna lie, there may have been tears in our section of the audience. Even tho there were some parts of the staging that didn’t really wow me, the show is really a great show to watch … the performances by the young actors is really top notch. I was wholly impressed and would recommend this show to anyone. If you love the movie, you’ll love the show.
After the show, we made our way back to the West Village to have dessert at Sweetie Pie on Greenwich Ave.
This afternoon, we’re meeting up with David’s sisters for brunch and plan to spend the day out and about in the city. As I mentioned before, this will prolly be my last trip to NYC for a while … I want to enjoy it as much as I can.
Tags: 'Billy Elliot the Musical'
RSS
Feedburner
January 4th, 2009 at 10:34 am
So glad you liked it!! I definitely cried a couple times, especially during “The Letter” song(s). What could be passed off as a total cliche (a deceased mother singing a good-bye letter to her young son, and his response) was actually beautifully staged, written, and acted. It was a very simple song/moment but completely heart-wrenching. And of couse “Angry Dance” left me speechless during intermission. I already have tickets to go again! I would love to see David again as the lead but would gladly take any of the 3 Billys. Apparently they all bring something different to the role.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:51 am
@aca - i hope you get Trent next time, he is really fantastic :)
January 4th, 2009 at 10:54 am
So glad you enjoyed the show!!! I went to see Billy Elliot this past Tuesday and sat in the 4th row and had an AMAZING experience. David Alvarez played Billy for the performance and I was completely blown away by the entire production and by David Alvarez. Like aca, I cried during the letter and absolutely loved expressing yourself. Angry dance was outstanding as was the dance with Billy and his older self. I would love to have the chance to catch all three Billy’s, especially Kiril. I walked out of that theatre speachless and I honestly cannot get Solidarity and Electricity out of my head. Wonderful show!!!
January 4th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
i loved the show! it was the best Broadway play ever!!
i saw Kiril Kulish, who was amazing…. and i really want to see Trent and David!!!
January 4th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
hey, we got the same cast when i saw the show in early december. i also had the same impression. trent seemed to be perfect for the role that i cannot imagine kiril and david (the other 2 billy’s) doing the same role. david bologna as michael was also great. and the cute little boy, mitchell, was a delight to watch. the rest of the children were superb. the show was more than i expected.
visit: http://www.myspace.com/trentkowalik
January 4th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
On a trip to London in the Spring of 2005, my friend and I decided to get tickets to Billy and didn’t really expect anything special. Little did we know that it was opening night and we sat front and center (literally). We are both huge fans of musicals and we were immediately blown away and in love with the show. We pre-ordered the cd, anxiously waited 6 months for its release, and quickly learned every single line…I can’t believe you weren’t humming Electricity, Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher, Expressing Yourself, etc. We’re actually heading to NY in March to see it on Broadway. We are very partial to the Billy we saw…Liam…and are hoping the “American” cast can stack up to the original. Thanks so much for posting your positive reaction to the show and encouraging EVERYONE to see it.
January 5th, 2009 at 12:38 am
I saw it a few months ago and Kiril Kulish was pretty amazing–excellent dancer! I hear David Alvarez may be the best one of the three, though.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:30 am
@Lynn - i suspect all the alvarez love is spin, he happened to be the Billy that the NYTimes critic saw and then his name was everywhere. i suppose one would have to see all three boys in action to know for sure. i’m so Team Trent tho :)
January 5th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Awesome review! I saw the show with my partner in London in 2007 and HAD to see it on Broadway since it was so close by. I’m a fellow Long Islander like Trent, and though I saw Kiril (he was awesome!!!) I totally understand your Team Trent posts. We were there for the first Broadway performance, first preview night, and I got to meet Trent and his mom. Both really great people. I really hope I get to see David and Trent in the future. I’m sure they’re all amazing. There are some awesome videos on the Billy Elliot Website at http://www.billyelliotbroadway.com so I highly recommend you check that out to see how talented all three of these stars are. And again, thank you for the review! =)
Sean
p.s. Trent’s Website is http://www.trentkowalik.com
January 5th, 2009 at 7:15 am
In late October and early November I luckily (and expensively!) saw all three boys as Billy Elliot in the NY production. And, folks… it really, really does NOT matter which Billy you see. All are superb and each puts his own stamp on the part. So there is no “best” Billy. Only three amazing boy actor/dancers who will simply astound you with their talent and move you with the sincerity of their performances—- as they are living “Billy” every time they set foot on stage!! Enjoy!! Wish I could repeat the experience before the guys all grow too tall.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Trent- I was at this performance and was actually sitting 2 rows in front of you and David, but didn’t get a chance to say hi. I thought Trent was phenomenal. I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as we did!
January 5th, 2009 at 8:12 am
@MG - oh! too bad we couldn’t say hello … but yes, that little trent was amazing! PS: if you saw me crying it was dust in my eye, yeah, dust in my eye ;)
January 5th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I was there Saturday night as well…I had actually been waiting for you see the show to read what you thought of it and I’m so annoyed I didn’t see you there. Anyway, I’ve seen the show 23 times both on Broadway and in London and every Billy is amazing. I’m so glad you finally got to see it and loved it!
January 6th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
TRENT IS THE BEST BILLY EVER!
HE IS TRULY AMAZING AND NOONE CAN COMPARE.
I SAW ALL OF THEM AND TRENTS AMAZING.
THATS ALL :
I AM OBSESSED WITH HIM.
EVERYONE IS AND EVERYONE AGREES WITH ME THAT HES THE BOMB.
HES NOT GAY WHO EVER SAID THAT ABOVE!
January 29th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Trent is my favorite Billy! I got to see him and David B. in the show and they were beyond fantastic. also we need to give kudos to Greg and Carole as they play their parts to perfectly.
definitely go see the show and hope you catch Trent!
January 31st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
hey, trent if your reading this! y arent you emailingme back? i have been trying to reach you and your just ignoring me. what is up with that? call me