With all the talk about Billy Elliot coming to NYC, what would you think of Dee Hoty as the dance teacher? I think she could be great. Saw Billy in London a couple years ago......... Don't miss it!!!! Updated On: 4/27/08 at 03:12 PM
I'm NOT hating on "Billy" in this thread but I just need to know from anyone else who saw the show in London....
why is everyone soo crazy about this?
I thought it was terrible and I was SO dissapointed because I really wanted to like it. Especially the score (Elton's AIDA score is a guilty pleasure of mine). But it left me feeling empty inside.
"Electricity" was supposed to be this big intense Act Two power-ballad and it didn't do anything for me.
Beth Leavel (who is apparently being considered) is about as perfect a Mrs. Wilkinson as you could find.
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.
TooDarnHot- I also saw the show in London and it just didn't do anything for me. The Billy I saw was a fabulous dancer, but as a musical I found nothing to latch onto and remember. I am also a closet Aida fan, and found the music in Billy Elliot leaving me wanting something more.
That being said, I'm sure I'll see the NYC production at least once.
If Leavel is indeed in negotiations to take on the role, it's very exciting news.
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.
TooDarnHot, I like some of it. I LOVE "Electricity", and a few things here and there. But I just don't think it can work here. Especially "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher."
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
So I don't know a whole lot about the story or casting, and I don't really have time to read around about it. I assume Billy Elliot stays the same age and the story doesn't follow him into adulthood. If it's not too much trouble:
Are there multiple children playing the role of Billy Elliot because of rules limiting hours a child can work each week?
How does that work if the performance was good enough to warrant an award nomination, Drama Desk, Tony, or otherwise? I know each award's committee would rule on who is eligible, but I can't imagine how difficult and sad it would be for one child to be nominated while the other(s) are not.
I am curious as to how well it will work here too, but have to admit that when I saw it in London, I found it to be a completely exhilarating evening of theater. It probably has something to do with how much I love the movie too, but I thought it was fantastic. And the casting of Beth Leavel would be most excellent!
I'm assumming that Haydn Gwynn is British? It's not always easy to get Equity to agree to hiring outside of the US. They want as many jobs as possible to go to their union members.
I believe that SITPWG and Equus got approval since the sell on those shows IS the stars.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I'm so not a Buckley fan. And well, this would be Beth Leavel's second gig after DROWSY (unless you count NO, NO, NANETTE, in which case it'd be her third gig). She is performing in DANCING IN THE DARK on the West Coast with Scott Bakula and Mara Davi.
"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"
Oh, she's a great singer (her "He Plays the Violin" is thrilling), I just don't think she can act her way out of a paperbag.
"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"
Ooooh, Leah Hocking would be AMAZING. Her or Beth Leavel... both great. Betty Buckley as the grandmother would be great too. The anticipation is exciting... I kind of DON'T want to know who gets these roles yet!
Complete newcomer Erin Whyland is the little girl, and her sister Casey who just came off of the original cast of the Annie Anniversary Tour is one of the ensemble girls. The family are all close friends of mine, and they told us a few weeks ago that they were cast. :)
I just saw the show here in London while en route back to the US after my semester in Rome.
I found the show absolutely amazing/exhilarating. I was bawling throughout the two scenes between Billy and his mother (a role I'd love to see Lisa Brescia play on Broadway).
I'll write a full review elsewhere but heres my casting:
Dad - Tom Wopat Brother - Aaron Lohr or Adam Pascal Nanna - Cass Morgan or Mary Louise Wilson Mom - Lisa Brescia
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[turns and winks directly into the camera]
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