The bottom line: the race for Best Musical has ended before it's even begun. BILLY ELLIOT more than lives up to the hype, and for a first preview, I'm in awe at how tight and succinct it already is. The cast is uniformely excellent. Haydn Gwynne brings just the right mixture of jaded bitchiness and earthy maternity as Mrs. Wilkinson, soaring while leading "Shine" and "Born to Boogie" (though the latter should truly soar once they fix the abrupt ending.) Greg Jbara is heartbreakingly earnest as Dad, and Santino Fontana shows the makings of what would have made him a stellar George in Roundabout's revival of SUNDAY... as Tony. Carole Shelley is a riot as Grandma, particularly in the book scenes, but she missed most of the very specific "beats" in "We'd Go Dancing," though I expect she'll become more comfortable with it as the preview period goes on. A very special mention also goes to Frank Dolce, who comes close to walking away with the show as Michael. His duet with Billy as they try on women's clothes to a parade of dancing dresses, "Expressing Yourself," was the big show stopper of the evening (next to the brilliantly choreographed "Solidarity" and the powerful eleven o'clock number "Electricity.") And then there's Kiril Kulish, who is every bit the star and absolutely spellbinding in what is his first ever theatrical performance. A mature and starkly honest actor, great singer, and phenomenal dancer, I can't imagine anyone being better at this role than Kulish. His "Angry Dance" and "Electricity" were powerful and riveting. True perfection and a grand start for such a young performer. With it being so early in the process, the show's not perfect yet. The pacing of act one needs tightening, and some of the numbers (primarily "We'd Go Dancing" [known as "Grandma's Song" in the West End production] and "Born to Boogie") seem to deflate as they truly start to pick up momentum. Technically, things went rather smoothly, though a stage hand randomly walked out at the end of "Born to Boogie" to sturdy the table and catch Kiril Kulish as he made his big tumble. They also didn't get the black out quite right at the end of act one, so Kiril was seen walking off after he'd ended the song laying on the ground. Some stage hands were also pretty visibly seen helping with quick changes on stage during "Merry Christmas, Maggie," but considering that Stephen Daldry warned during a pre-show speech that this would be the first time they've run the show without stopping, everything went off without a hitch. The twists and turns of the set are absolutely marvelous. Ian MacNeil really finds a way to move the action just as naturally as the characters appear on stage. Similarly, lighting by Rick Fisher is stunning. The political subject matter and strong accents translate extremely well to an American audience. Everyone in the packed house seemed positively riveted, and I didn't get a sense anyone felt isolated or disinterested in anything in the least. The curtain call mega-mix tends to go on a little long, but it's great fun that ends the show on the right note. The show is truly spectacular. I am anxious to return once it's opened and see how the creative team makes it even better as time goes on. Running time was close to three hours with a fifteen minutes intermission, which seemed to be on track. Feel free to ask any questions. I'll do my best to answer them. Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone. Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to see it! Did you stage door? If so, how was it? 2008 Look back... Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime Coming Up: November 29- Dreamgirls

WishingOnlyWounds2, I didn't stage door, but it looked like a sizable crowd had already formed behind the barricades when I passed them on my way home. Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone. Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Oh, that's good to know for the future. I'm hoping to get to see the show in December, but for the time of year and the show, finding tickets are impossible! 2008 Look back... Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime Coming Up: November 29- Dreamgirls

While I loved the show, I sometimes think the real star is Michael, in what is a showstopping scene stealing performance, everytime Michael appeared onstage during the Sydney production, the show soared to even greater heights. New York is in for a treat a truly wonderful show. Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist. Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino. This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more. Tazber's: Reply to Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian

I MUST see this show. I don't know how or when, but I need to see this. On August 1st, 2008, I, Trekkie2, was sacrificed to Seth Rudetsky. This was part of The Great BWW Meltdown Of '08 (The one where you couldn't open threads). Incidentally, Mr. Rudetsky plays me in "BWW: The Musical", which will soon be playing The Shubert Theater. Score by Cher; Book by David Lindsay-Abaire. "I think of avant-garde as downtown shows where you rub waffles and chocolate on yourself."- Hunter Bell

I thought Kiril was sensational. Tonight was such an amazing experience.

I'm so excited, I just may explode. Haikus are easy But sometimes they don't make sense Refrigerator www.writersinlove.com

Great review and report, somethingwicked! Thanks for taking the time to post all that! Official Gregory Jbara Site Receipt of messages via BWW PM is turned off. Please contact me at webmaster@gregoryjbara.com. Thanks! - Barb

How are the accents? Are they using the thick "geordie" accent they do in London or something more accessible? Since it's mostly an American cast I'm intrigued by this. Faced with these Lorelies, What man can moralize!

Not a big fan of mega-mixes or the "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher" song, but your review makes me want to see this show even more. I can't wait. Tick Tock

I have tickets for November but I actually may go see it tomorrow evening as well...not sure yet. Current Avatar: Tony-nominee Gavin Creel dancing on the seats in the Al Hirschfeld Theater in the brilliant and gorgeous Tony winner for Best Revival of a Musical, HAIR; the best show on Broadway.

Wickedrocks, are there tickets available for tomm evening?

Thanks for the review, somethingwicked! I wasn't sure if I should get a ticket for next week or not, but after reading your review I am convinced to see the show next week. "Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

Ray, go see it! The accents have been "toned down" considerably for Broadway. "Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!" http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html ********** "If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!" ~ Best12Bars

It was absolutely brilliant. I can't remember the last time I was so moved by a show. Kiril Kulish was truly beyond all words.

Kiril is not beyond words. The word that best describes him is DIVINE. "Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!" http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html ********** "If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!" ~ Best12Bars

"beyond all words" ... "divine" ... hey, they both work for me. Some would say that the truly divine IS beyond words, so ... I'm just trying to say, I think both of you are saying the same thing about Kiril, pretty much. :) Official Gregory Jbara Site Receipt of messages via BWW PM is turned off. Please contact me at webmaster@gregoryjbara.com. Thanks! - Barb

it is 3:00 AM in A Town PA, Billy Elliot no word can even begin to describe it. I made a semi long journey home. The entire time I don't feel tired or exhausted. I feel like i had a pick me up that will last 5 lifetimes. I never new such a experience existed. I am beyond words. I do have some stage door pics, i got autographs from the Mrs. Wilkinson, the father, Billy, the grandmother, and Stephen Daldry (Director of the show). But Ill post them later today. Take Care. And remember all you have to do is shine!!! (I bought $250 worth of souvenirs. I was the 2nd merchandise sale of the play) :) Herbie: "Honey, Don't you know there's a depression?" Rose: "Of Course I know, I Watch Fox News" -(modified)Gypsy Broadway Schedule Nov. 21 undetermined 3pm In The Next Room, or The Vibrator Play 8PM Nov. 22 Love Lost and What I Wore Nov. 24 A Little Night Music 8pm

wooh wooh im so glad you guys are taking to Billy in the states wanna be a Zzzzzzz

Okay, if you want me to write down some actual words to describe Kiril's performance (although I think that my original "beyond all words" pretty much summed it up).... brilliant, spectacular, beautiful, heartwrenching, professional, dynamic, emotional, amazing, fantastic, perfect, a tour de force and one of the best performances that I have EVER seen on a Broadway stage. Better? :)

I'd like to take the opportunity to attempt to avoid one or two pointless threads in May or June by asking this question: Can we all agree that this show will perform "Electricity" at the Tony's? On August 1st, 2008, I, Trekkie2, was sacrificed to Seth Rudetsky. This was part of The Great BWW Meltdown Of '08 (The one where you couldn't open threads). Incidentally, Mr. Rudetsky plays me in "BWW: The Musical", which will soon be playing The Shubert Theater. Score by Cher; Book by David Lindsay-Abaire. "I think of avant-garde as downtown shows where you rub waffles and chocolate on yourself."- Hunter Bell

how are tickets for the show? Are there any tickets that aren't uber expensive?

Trekkie2, "Electricity" will definitely be the big part of their Tony performance, but I think the best bet would be a medley with "Solidarity" (which showcases almost the entire company and reveals part of the storyline) that leads into "Electricity." Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone. Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

I would think they would want to somehow showcase all three Billys on the Tony Awards, so they can't do "electricity" then right?