My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Lee Hall Headshot
News Alerts

Lee Hall News

Get Lee Hall Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.
BWW Reviews: Choreography Shines in Fox Theatre Production of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

The stage continues to mine the movies for product, and sometimes it strikes gold (High Fidelity-although not hugely successful was, for me a better musical than a movie) and sometimes it strikes tin. The hugely acclaimed and multi-awarded BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL falls into the latter category, taking a gloriously fine and moving film and turning it into a bloated, tuneless production that's only saved by the winning performance of its lead (which rotates between four young lads) and some dazzling choreography Unfortunately, it tries too hard to cram into far too many plot elements, clocking in at almost three hours. And, it features a legendary pop tunesmith's worst work to date, leaving its audience with nary a hummable song in its score. It's a real shame because there are absolutely electric moments to be found here and there. But, too often, what worked on the big screen doesn't make the transition to the stage in smooth fashion.

TimeLine Theatre Extends The Pitmen Painters Thru 12/18

TimeLine Theatre Company has announced a two-week extension of its hit Chicago premiere of The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall, inspired by a book by William Feaver, directed by Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones.

SOUND OFF: GLEE Gets Two Of Its Own Pots O' Gold

Coming after a nearly month-long mini-hiatus following the superb "Asian F" in early October, the gleeks of McKinley High on GLEE swept back onto the main stage last night with the hotly anticipated "Pot O' Gold" episode, which introduced new recurring cast members and THE GLEE PROJECT co-winner, Damian McGinty in the tailor-made role of sassy and offensive Rory Flanagan. While McGinty proved to be a winning addition to the roundly respectable line-up of GLEE Season Three, once again the musical performance highlight of the night goes to new GLEE regular Darren Criss - alongside show standout Lea Michele and the rest of the glee club - and their electrifying take on Katy Perry's campy anthem "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)". Much like with Lea Michele's emotionally shattering "Firework", once again a Katy Perry anthem has been rendered even better than the huge hit original by the gleeks of GLEE. Also, "Pot O' Gold" - directed by HAIRSPRAY movie musical helmer Adam Shankman - continued the season-long character arc of Tony-winning Broadway star Idina Menzel, in the role of rival McKinley glee club director Shelby Corcoran, and further developed her complex relationship with Quinn and Puck, played by sensitive Dianna Agron and imposingly forceful Mark Salling - the latter of whom contributed an emotionally charged and displayed his rarely seen softer side with his sensitive rendering of the 80s Foreigner power ballad "Waiting For A Girl Like You". McGinty's two selections - Teddy Thompson's "Take Care Of Yourself" and Kermit The Frog's "Bein' Green" - were relatively lucky and charmed introductions to the foreign exchange student character. Additionally, Mercedes, Santana and Brittany also got a Christina Aguilera/BURLESQUE-esque moment in the spotlight with their sweet and sexy "Candyman" (written by Linda Perry) as the newly formed girl-group The Troubletones. So, as for the rest of "Pot O' Gold" and how the songs stacked up in their dramatic context - as well as virtually everything else? Read on! The rainbow certainly ends with a shiny, gleaming pot o' gold - and maybe a leprechaun or two to love, too! Thank goodness it's Tuesday (or was) - and thank St. Patrick it's GLEE! After all, we've been waiting for a GLEE like this all October!

BILLY ELLIOT Comes to the Fox Theatre, 11/1-13

NETworks Presentations, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to St. Louis' Fabulous Fox Theatre from November 1-13. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

MEMPHIS, LA CAGE, BILLY et al. Set for PNC Broadway Across America 2011/12

PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America, proudly announces the 2011/2012 season. PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh, one of the city's premier entertainment series, is sponsored by The PNC Foundation. This season presents an exceptional array of live entertainment on the Cultural District's world-class stages.

St. Louis Fabulous Fox Theatre Presents BILLY ELLIOT, 11/1-13

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to St. Louis' Fabulous Fox Theatre from November 1-13. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

BILLY ELLIOT Rescheduled at the Fox Theatre 11/1-13, 2011

Fox Associates and Dance St. Louis have announced that due to changes in the routing of the tour, the previously scheduled engagement of the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL for August 10-28, 2011 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre has been rescheduled for November 1-13, 2011.

Julian Elia Joins Cast of Broadway's BILLY ELLIOT

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Julian Elia will join the cast of 10-time Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the role of ‘Billy'. Elia, who started his journey in the Toronto production of Billy Elliot, will be the sixteenth ‘Billy' to perform on Broadway. Current ‘Billy,' Giuseppe Bausilio, will play his final performance Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 7:30pm.

Theatre for a New Audience and Baryshnikov Arts Center Present Fragments

Following acclaimed performances internationally, Theatre for a New Audience, in association with Baryshnikov Arts Center, will present the New York premiere of C.I.C.T. / Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord's Fragments from the texts by Samuel Beckett for only 29 performances at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 West 37th Street.

Live Theatre & Soho Theatre to Host Political Panel Debate at Soho Theatre, 11/24

Inspired by the forthcoming A WALK ON PART, the dramatisation of the critically acclaimed political diaries of former MP Chris Mullin, Live Theatre and Soho Theatre host a panel debate with MPs and artists as they discuss how to change the world; chaired by Channel 4 News Political Correspondent Michael Crick at Soho Theatre on the evening of Thursday 24 November.

West Palm Beach Mayor Declares DRAMAWORKS THEATRE WEEK

Dramaworks Theatre Week will bring theatre lovers and arts professionals together for a blending of special performances and unique 'glimpses behind the scenes' of West Palm Beach's only resident professional theatre. Participants will get the chance to tour Dramaworks' new home and take part in special post show discussions, as well as the opportunity to meet members of the cast from Arthur Miller's All My Sons.

Gillian Bevan And Deka Walmsley Join West End's BILLY ELLIOT

On 14 November 2011 Gillian Bevan (Mrs Wilkinson) and Deka Walmsley (Dad) will join the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical along with Ann Emery who returns to the cast to play Grandma, the role she originated on stage at the Victoria Palace in 2005 and played until 2010.

Photo Coverage: Emery, Bevan and Walmsley Join Cast of BILLY ELLIOT

On 14 November 2011 Gillian Bevan (Mrs Wilkinson) and Deka Walmsley (Dad) will join the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical along with Ann Emery who returns to the cast to play Grandma, the role she originated on stage at the Victoria Palace in 2005 and played until 2010. They will be joined by new principal cast members Michael Peavoy (Tony), Sean Kearns (George) and Simon Ray Harvey (Mr. Braithwaite).

BILLY ELLIOT Comes to the Fox Theatre, 11/1-13

NETworks Presentations, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to St. Louis' Fabulous Fox Theatre from November 1-13. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

PICT Announces Their 2012 Season

Flip the switch and watch the sparks fly as PICT raises the voltage with their hot 2012 season! Pittsburgh audiences will get a charge out of a titillating new play by a leading American female playwright, a true story, an exploration of the comedic facets of a Russian master (and the great Irishman who was inspired by him), and a zany holiday farce!

BILLY ELLIOT to Close on Broadway January 8, 2012

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Billy Elliot the Musical, will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at the Imperial Theatre (246 West 45th Street). The show that Time Magazine called 'the best musical of the decade,' Billy Elliot will have played 40 preview and 1,304 regular performances. The production recouped its $18 million investment in only 14 months over 492 performances and on Broadway, the show has been seen by 1,659,867 theatergoers to date. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreographed by Peter Darling and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot began previews Wednesday, October 1 and opened to critical acclaim on November 13, 2008.

BILLY ELLIOT Heads to Civic Center of Greater Des Moines June 12-17, 2012

NETworks Presentations, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines June 12-17, 2012 as part of the Willis Broadway Series.

  …        45       …    

Get Lee Hall Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $77
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59