The cast clearly spent time working on perfecting British accents, but unfortunately it was often difficult to understand what they were saying or singing. The show has many nuanced layers, which the cast excels in capturing. Though the show is primarily about a boy pursuing his dreams, there are many subplots that deal with various societal issues including spousal abuse and homosexuality. There are also some lighthearted moments - the boxing lessons, for example - and “Expressing Yourself,” a hilarious number that has Billy and his friend, Michael (10-year-old Mackernan Jarman) dancing around in girls’ clothing while learning a deeper lesson about life. An example is “Solidarity,” which has the miners and little girls at the ballet school dance around and with each other. Many of the musical numbers are intense due to the violent strike, but they are nicely contrasted with softer moments.
She challenges him while nurturing the motherless boy in an attached yet unattached way. Yandell pushes Billy without being too pushy. Tompos, a Broadway veteran, has found the right mix to express his torn emotions and there is a nice contrast between him and Monday, whose near-boiling over anger regarding the strike is more apparent. He is delightful to watch, especially later in the show during “Angry Dance” (after Billy’s secret is discovered), a dream sequence that pairs Garton with an adult version of Billy (portrayed by California Ballet soloist Zachary Guthier) and “Electricity” (when Billy expresses what it feels like for him to dance). Garton’s talent - like that of Billy’s dancing - becomes more apparent as the show progresses. There are many stellar performances among SDMT’s cast. Billy must overcome his family’s negativity over a boy studying dance and financial constraints if he is to have a future outside of the mines. That exposes him to dance, a spark is ignited in him and without telling his family, Billy spends his boxing tuition on ballet lessons.īilly proves to be a talented ballet dancer, but when his father and brother learn the truth, his dream of auditioning for the Royal Ballet School in London is jeopardized. One day Billy must stay late to give the building’s keys to ballet teacher Mrs. He tries to improve life for Billy by paying for boxing lessons the boy is less-than-enthusiastic to receive. His father tries to take care of the family, but is stressed out due to being out-of-work, grieving for his wife (though hiding his emotions) and physically caring for a young boy and elderly woman. Billy’s mother (Morgan Carberry) is dead, though in his imagination the two still communicate, a way for him to deal with his grief and problems at home.īilly’s father and brother are among the striking miners. Billy Elliot, 11, lives with his father (Doug Tompos), adult brother Tony (Luke Monday) and memory-challenged grandma (Alexandra Gonzales). The story is set during the United Kingdom’s 1984-85 miners strike in a community in North Eastern England. It won 10, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical.
The show opened on Broadway in fall 2008 and was nominated for 15 Tony Awards. It features music by Elton John and lyrics by Lee Hall, who also wrote the screenplay.
#Billy elliot broadway cast plus#
The 38 actors - a mix of featured performers plus adult and youth ensembles - are enjoyable to watch in this stage version based on the 2000 film of the same name. Director Neil Dale and choreographer Jared Nelson (California Ballet’s associate artistic director) aptly capture the emotionally-charged story that nicely contrasts tension with lighter moments, making the show’s three hours seem to go by fast. The dancing is terrific, with SDMT partnering with the California Ballet to put on the production. San Diego Musical Theatre’s production of “Billy Elliot the Musical” is worth seeing for its production values and terrific cast led by a very talented 10-year-old Charlie Garton in the title role. An inspiring musical about a boy trying to overcoming many obstacles to pursue his unlikely dream of becoming a ballet dancer is playing at the Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego through Oct.
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