BWW Reviews: Pantages Hosts a Triumphant BILLY ELLIOT
In 1984 when Northern English coal miners went on strike in defiance of Margaret Thatcher's announcement to dissolve the unions, there was little hope for the future. Prospects were dim for kids like Billy Elliot who would be expected to enter the family business like his dad and his dad before him and on down the family lineage. Within 10 years, there would be no jobs, and where would Billy go, what would he do? Fortunately, this 11 year-old had unstoppable dreams that would perhaps take him far, if only he could defeat the tremendous odds and get his dad to agree to an audition in London for the Royal Academy - ballet. Since 2000, when the film Billy Elliot won the hearts of the entire world, there came a musical stage version - in 2005 on the West End and 2008 on Broadway, winning 10 Tony Awards. The stage version was as successful as the movie, mainly because the screenwriter Lee Hall and director Stephen Daldry stayed with the project. Billy Elliot has universal appeal for kids with artistic talent, and speaks to the young at heart in all of us. Finally Billy is in LA at the Pantages through May 13 only, with a sensational cast that will have you standing, cheering and singing its praises for years to come.
'Reflections' Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates the Lively Sounds of the 60s and 70s
In 1960, President Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act that established federal investigation of local voter registration polls. In 1961, our country went to war in Vietnam. In 1962, the Berlin Wall was erected. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Throughout these heavy flames of change and adversity, the beat went on. Music rose out of the flames into a lively, catchy, vocal sound that united a nation during turmoil.
Florida Studio Theatre Celebrates the Lively Sounds of the 60s and 70s
Florida Studio Theatre Opens its second cabaret performance in the 2009-2010 Season. Reflections was developed at FST by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Langford and Jim Prosser. Soul infused with pop cross-over appeal in the 60s and 70s created a fresh new sound that turned out unforgettable chart toppers.
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