Billy Elliot, The Musical which opened last night at the Durham Performing Arts Center, is an absolute must-see production. The musical, based on the hit film and featuring dynamic music by Elton John with book and lyrics by Lee Hall, is a big, bold, and beautiful production. This uplifting story about a boy from a blue-collar-family who steps out of a boxing ring and into ballet shoes, plays the Durham Performing Arts Center through November 14, 2010. Do not miss your opportunity to see this truly world-class offering.
The original production, still running on Broadway, garnered 10 TONY Awards including the 2009 award for Best Musical. It’s easy to see why this musical has received so much praise. The story is touching and transformative. The music is beautiful, though not overly catchy. The characters are incredibly realistic, charming, intense, and funny. The musical numbers develop elegantly out of the dialogue and are so well integrated into the story that you feel as if singing and dancing about a 1984 miner’s strike in England is the most natural thing in the world.
Director Stephen Daldry, who won the 2009 TONY Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Billy Elliot and was the director of the feature film version, has achieved great beauty with his superb directorial skills. This musical was directed with a keen eye towards keeping the action moving forward quickly without sacrificing the emotion of the story. In fact, it’s often during the periods of silence and stillness that this musical is most powerful. There are many touching moments when Billy, played last night with charm, grace and incredible stamina by Giuseppe Bausilio, carefully and thoughtfully shifts through the confusing hodgepodge of adolescent emotions. Billy’s angst is palpable. If not for great talent and a genius director, these moments could have been rushed, or worse, drawn out into melodramatic lessons in overacting. But no, Stephen Daldry knows his Billy. He is well aware that the power and joy of this story is watching Billy’s journey of discovery.
One cannot talk about Billy Elliot without discussing the brilliant choreography by Peter Darling. Rarely is anger and frustration so effectively and beautifully portrayed through dance on stage. Billy’s “Angry Dance” at the end of the first act is remarkable. Billy, unable to control his anger, tears his room apart and dances with intensity and aggression while police and protesters clash violently. Billy’s later dance with his future self is as dramatic and moving as any dance I’ve seen on stage, but it is “Electricity” that makes Billy Elliot a masterpiece. During this number, Billy, who has been on stage virtually non-stop for over two hours, is asked how dancing makes him feel. It is in this moment that we see Billy as a true artist. He sings: “I can't really explain it, I haven't got the words; It's a feeling that you can't control; I suppose it's like forgetting, losing who you are; And at the same time something makes you whole.” He then performs a dance so masterful, so full of life and energy that the entire audience is completely and utterly under Billy’s spell. We have witnessed greatness. Giuseppe Basuilio’s Billy seemed especially up to the challenge last night, delivering a superb performance both singing and dancing with perfection.
While Billy is without doubt the star of the show, he is surrounded by a fantastic cast including the incomparable, TONY-Award winning actress Faith Prince. Ms. Prince plays Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy’s dance instructor and mentor, with compassion and pluck. The rest of the major players include Rich Herbert, who plays Billy’s beleaguered dad with a vast range of emotions; Patti Perkins, who gets all the laughs as Grandma; Jeff Kready, who plays Billy’s rage-filled brother Tony with terrific anger, and Jacob Zelonky, who plays Billy’s sweet and funny best friend Michael. Mr. Zelonky has one of the biggest and funniest numbers, “Express Yourself”, in the first act and is thoroughly impressive in his role. It should be mentioned that this production relies on an exceptionally talented ensemble whose members play many roles quite well. The strength of the ensemble is possibly what makes this production so exceptional. Without the support of this family, both within the content of the production and the story, Billy could not succeed. The sets by Ian MacNeil, costumes by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting by Rick Fisher and sound by Paul Arditti are expertly executed and add to the production without being overly fussy.
Last night’s performance was the official launch of the second national tour. The first national tour began in Chicago almost a year ago. The cast and crew have been living in Durham for the past two months building the show from the ground up. What an honor it is to have a massive Broadway production like Billy Elliot come to Durham to launch a tour! Hopefully, Triangle area residents will take full advantage of this unique opportunity and see Billy Elliot while they can. Billy Elliot is simply perfection. Now, go get your tickets before they sell out!
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