OUTscene: (RE-view) 'Billy Elliot' (The National Tour) LEAPS for a Prince!

by MK Scott
OUTscene Editor

Last Night was Press night at the National tour stop of the Multi-Tony award winning musical, 'Billy Elliot'. But I don't think the production was ready for us.

I actually saw signs of this being advertised in London when I was there in the Fall of '06 and looking forward see where it would go. Broadway? Somewhere in America?

In the Film, Billy Elliot had a passion for Dance and actually wanted to take Ballet, in the stage version he is practically 'Forced' by his teacher, Mrs Wilkerson (Played the Great, Faith Prince).

The main problem I had was that with all of the 4 actors alternating the role of Billy, they choose an Asian actor to play the Lead character (On a Press Night). Diverse Casting I am all for, there were a few African-Americans in the cast, but none were the lead or show their Father, Brother (Half-Naked in one scene), Grandmother and the late Mother's spirit. Was Billy adopted?

I loved ALL the Dance numbers and the addition of Tap. The Best was Billy's solo at the end of Act ONE and in Act TWO of the dance from the music of Swan Lake, where Billy is hanging from a wire and is led by the Male Ballerina.

I Loved Faith Prince in every scene she was in, but my gripe is why wasn't her name on the Marquee? Prince is a Tony Winning, Bon-a-fide Star! Also noteworthy is Seattle audiences knew her BEFORE she won the Tony for Guys and Dolls (It Previewed in Seattle) and Prince also has performed with the Seattle Men's Chorus (Twice) in past decade. If Megan Mullaly, who was barely seen in 'Young Frankenstien', can get TOP Billing, why not Prince who is in Most of Act One and the End of Act Two?

Like the Film itself with so much time with the seriousness and the pathos of what happened in England during the longest labor strike in that nation’s history, compared to Billy's 'Relationship' with a Male friend and How they both played dress up to a big Splashy number to their mutual devotion to each other at the end. I don't believe that story was played out in the film but Bravo for addressing 'Boy Love'.

Billy Elliot the Musical will be at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre from March 22 through April 3, 2011.

Tickets for Billy Elliot the Musical start at $25.50 and are available on-line at stgpresents.org and tickets.com, by calling 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).

Additional information about Billy Elliot the Musical is available at www.BillyElliotTour.com.