Billy Elliot

[Rastaban43]

I'm new to this sub-forum and don't have much of a taste for musicals, but imagine my surprise when my favourite one doesn't have its own thread! I've seen Billy Elliot four times on the West End and once on Broadway, and I have enjoyed it on every occasion. I do admit the Broadway show was changed a little from the original musical and I didn't really like the editorial modifications, but it was still outstanding.

I honestly couldn't tell you whether it deserved every Tony it got because I'm not a regular theatergoer, but something must be said for a person who typically doesn't like any musicals falling in love with this one. I was a fan of the film before the musical, but in both media, the story really shines through in brilliant ways, particularly in the musical with some fine music from Elton John's and a story that lends itself to some great dance numbers.

Anyway, I'll quiet down for a bit and see if anyone else out there likes the show as much as I do and has anything else to add.

[ActingDude17]

I love Billy Elliot. I bought the cast recording at the beginning of this year and live on "The Stars Look Down" and "Electricity."

By your comments I'm assuming I should check out the movie too.

[Rastaban43]

Originally Posted by ActingDude17

By your comments I'm assuming I should check out the movie too.

The film is great, yeah, and it has its own great soundtrack with a lot of stuff from T. Rex and the a couple of songs from The Clash, The Jam etc., but it is not the musical. Same story and everything - the musical is based on the film after all - and there's still a lot of great dancing, so definitely check it out if you liked the musical. I couldn't say I prefer one over the other because they're both really excellent works in their respective media.

[Rell]

Oooh I love this show. It's impressive how talented the cast of children is.

[evaparker23]

Billy Elliot is one of my favorites of all time... The boys in that musical are SO talented.
And it is VERY hard to make me cry while watching a musical. But the letter from Billy's mother managed to do that to me.
<3 Trent Kowalik is beast.
I REALLY want to be a ballet girl

btw, thank you for making a thread for it (: it is very deserving!

[Rastaban43]

Originally Posted by evaparker23

And it is VERY hard to make me cry while watching a musical. But the letter from Billy's mother managed to do that to me.

I'm in tears the whole time whenever I watch the film, watch the musical, listen to the musical soundtrack. But especially the letter. I can't even think about that song without tearing up (like now, lol).

[Blimey_Harry]

I've been wanting to see this for years, but never got down to it I hope I see it soon!

[evaparker23]

Originally Posted by Rastaban43

I'm in tears the whole time whenever I watch the film, watch the musical, listen to the musical soundtrack. But especially the letter. I can't even think about that song without tearing up (like now, lol).

Agreed. It's so touching....

Originally Posted by Blimey_Harry

I've been wanting to see this for years, but never got down to it I hope I see it soon!

Oh my goodness. I saw it on broadway during the spring with Liam Redhead playing Billy, Gregory Jbara as Dad and Carolle Shelley as Grandma.... AMAZING. My jaw was dropped almost the entire play. It's so much powerful live than on any recording. You must see it if you get the chance.

There's a new touring cast now, so maybe it'll come to a town near you soon! (If you live in America, and you dont live in in NYC already.)