Running since: October 2008 Elton John’s new musical, set in Northern England’s coal fields, about a boy who wants to dance, not box. Winner of 10 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Performances 8/4/2010 to 1/31/2011 available only with American Express.
A simple story - one child’s struggle to find his way – is set here against the backdrop of a prolonged miner’s strike that cripples his community. NYC critics were generally over-the-top in praise of the production, with Ben Brantley of the NY Times saying it "never lets us forget the elemental tug of war between Billy’s longing to dance and the forces pulling him away from it" and Newsday's Linda Winer calling it "a production as seriously thrilling as it is deeply lovable."
All in all, "Billy" is a triumph and can be expected to become a long-term tenant of Broadway's Imperial Theatre. That being the case, why see it now? Two reasons – the original cast (including 3 Billys who perform in rotation) is spectacular; and the production (the ensemble work, the staging, the effects, etc) is as good as it will ever be, having been polished to a fare-thee-well for opening night and awards season. So....see it now if you can.
You may be wondering about the family-appropriateness of the show, and that is a tough call. Thematically it is certainly great for kids from 8 up, but there is substantial foul language (much of it from the adolescent actors) and a couple of gender/sexuality situations that may cause discomfort for some.
Here's a promotional video from the London production (a bit dark/slow at the start, but pays off nicely if you are patient):
2009 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara). 2009 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical, Outstanding Sound Design, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Haydn Gwynne). 2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Score, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Haydn Gwynne), Special Achievement Award (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish). 2009 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award: Best Musical.
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Ellen from Yonkers, NY Memphis 4 tickets. Saved $193
