Time magazine called BILLY ELLIOT the “Best Musical of the decade.” On Broadway, the show won ten 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. I'm hardly surprised. I remember loving the movie (which was not a musical!) and I've been excited to get to see this production ever since it was announced as part of the "Broadway Across America" series. The wonderful score is by Elton John, and along with another personal favorite, Wicked, it's by far one of the best shows I've seen in years.
Set in a small English town, the story follows 11-year-old Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent for dance that eventually inspires his family and his whole community, and changes his life forever. Really, the best way to learn about this show, is to read what writer Lee Hall has to say about it by CLICKING HERE.
Hall wrote the original screenplay for the film version and then adapted the book and lyrics for the stage- and the story was somewhat based on his own life, growing up in the North East of England in the early 1980's (coal mining was the life blood of that community). While he didn't dream of being a dancer, he was a "creative type" - a lover of poetry, and Elton John, in a bleak industrial part of the country suffering from massive unemployment, the miner's strike - and a pretty deep hatred of new Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He escaped that world through the encouragement of his teachers.
The company of “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Kyle Froman
Says Hall, "If Billy Elliot is about one thing, it is that we are all capable of making lives for ourselves which are full of joy and self-expression, whilst we might not all become ballet dancers we are capable of finding moments of real profundity and creativity whatever our circumstances. But more than that, we have a duty to ourselves and each other to create a society where this possibility in all of us is nurtured and can flourish. We owe it to the next generation to create a world where it is possible for the Billy Elliots, as yet unborn, to have a chance to succeed and flourish rather than be fed to the machine which grinds us into identical pieces only fit for consumption. If Billy Elliot conveys any message at all, I hope it is that it is possible to fight back and resist and it is possible to move on without forgetting where you come from."
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is splendid. The music is both beautiful and at times gritty (reminding me a bit of Les Miserables). When I watched Billy dance, I had a feeling that I myself needed to start getting to the ballet - something I never seem to have the time to do. It was stunning. But then - the humor is very adult - as is the language. Very adult. And, if you've read the paragraphs above, so is the story. Just because a movie, or show, is about a child, doesn't mean it's appropriate for children. This one is not (in my opinion). For one, I don't think that they'd get anything from it - unless they are at least thirteen (the movie was rated R). Sure, there are some hilarious moments between Billy and his young friend Michael (who steals the show in my opinion). But even those bring up a lot of issues I know I'm not quite yet ready to discuss with my child.
This is a show that will entertain and enlighten you - but if you're a parent, consider taking the message home with you, and learn from the show yourself. That message is pretty clear - let your children express themselves by doing whatever makes them THEM. My son Jack tells me he's going to be - in no uncertain terms- a singer when he grows up. And he may only be four-years-old, but I'm certainly not going to hold him back. So I'm sending him to the Alliance Theatre Summer Camp for a week. He may end up a lawyer or a salesman, but I know that I'll never push him to be anything but himself.
BILLY ELLIOT will play a the Fox Theatre through this Sunday, March 18th (not long enough or I'd go again!). Tickets start at $28. To purchase tickets and for showtimes, CLICK HERE or visit the Fox Theatre Box Office.
An aside....I was thrilled that last Thursday I was able to meet Adam Lambert in person, see him perform acoustically at The Buckhead Theatre (thank you Star 94) and then again at the re-launch party for Jezebel Magazine that evening. Adam may be polarizing to some Idol fans, but there's one thing I can say about this former American Idol contestant - he leads with his heart. After seeing the play Tuesday night, the first thing I thought about was Adam - who ironically performed for years in Wicked. I remember watching American Idol, and seeing the videos of him when he was a child - dressed in capes, singing. His parents knew he was different (crazy talented!), and they supported him every step of the way. Adam gives and gives to charities across the globe, most often to help those who too want to step to the beat of a different drum. He offers great support to The Trevor Project, the leading organization working to prevent suicide amongst gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Said Lambert, when asked about his song Aftermath, "['Aftermath'] was written about finding the courage to be honest with yourself and the people who love you. I hope this song inspires people to be who they truly want to be… And dance!"
I will continue to remind myself every day to help my kids accomplish THEIR dreams. We should all be so lucky to have a Billy Elliot, or even an Adam Lambert, in our family.
Adam Lambert at The Buckhead Theatre
Photo: Matt Alexandre
