BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT is Triumphant at the Kennedy Center

Gotta dance. Gotta dance. Gotta dance.

There's a reason that the 2008 Broadway production of Billy Elliot received fifteen Tony Award nominations tying it with The Producers for the most nominations in Broadway history. It won ten.

Based on the 2000 film of the same name, the story's background concerns the effects of Britain's miner's strike in 1984 under the auspices of the Maggie Thatcher regime. Coincidentally, there's a new film out about Thatcher starring Meryl Steep who graces the cover of this week's "Newsweek" magazine.

The plot surrounds motherless Billy who's dad pays for boxing lessons but Billy instead secretly decides to use his 50 p. to take ballet lessons.

This leads to the sometimes frentic dancing by Billy with inventive choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, moving lighting by Rick Fisher, clever set design by Ian MacNeil, and realistic costumes by Nicky Gillibrand.

This is another of Sir Elton John's musicals. Yes, he did The Lion King (now playing at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre), and the wonderful Aida. Lee Hall did the Book and Lyrics (who also got an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for the film).

The spectacular Kennedy Center Orchestra needs special mention under the direction of Jay Crowder, especially Peter deBoor on Horn, and Fred Irby III on the Trumpet, Flugelhorn, and Cornet. The music is infectious and powerful. You'll want a copy of the CD.

I saw the original production on Broadway which included Hayden Gwynne, reprising her role in the original British cast as Billy's ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, and Gregory Jbara as Billy's father.

But, this tour presents the magnificent Leah Hocking as Mrs. Wilkinson who is outstanding in the role. I'm very familiar with Hocking in her leading role in Broadway's Mamma Mia! (see my bio why) and I knew she was talented. But Hocking's performance is just amazing and her voice finally gets a chance to shine. 

Rich Hebert brings a much more sensitive and realistic portrayal of Billy's father. Also featured are Cynthia Darlow (Grandma), Cullen Titmas (Tony), Joel Blum (George) and Samantha Blaire Cutler as Debbie.

There are five different Billys. I was fortunate to see Lex Ishimoto who did an outstanding job. He's not the best dancing Billy I've seen, and his voice sometimes was lacking, but his acting more than made up for any difficiences. Also I was fortunate to see local DC area native Ben Cook playing Billy's best friend Michael.  Ben almost steals the show.

This is a play with strong British accents and it's almost impossible to hear each line.  I wish the production would consider sur titles used in operas. 

And isn't the slang word in Britain pronounced "shite"? Just wondering.

Finally, do not leave early or you'll miss the wonderful "coda" which features even MORE dancing.

Billy Elliot runs until January 15, 2012 with a special New Year's Eve performance which features dancing in the halls at the Kennedy Center.

For tickets, call 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

Visit facebook.com/kennedycenter for behind-the-scenes news.

For a peak at the show and the music, visit www.BillyElliotTour.com.

Also playing at the Eisenhower Theater is Ann through January 15. It stars Holland Taylor in a one person show about former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

This is followed by La Cage aux Folles which runs January 17 - February 12, 2012.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

 

 

 

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