Let the cheering begin! "Billy Elliot" is a heartfelt celebration about being true to yourself and following your dream, especially in the face of obstacles such as family, friends, finances and fear of failure, has finally set up home in the Windy City. We can only hope that Chicagoans will support this well-written, superbly acted, sung and danced winner of 10 2008 Tony and Drama Desk Awards so it will stick around for a few years, much like recent productions of "Wicked" and "Jersey Boys." It deserves a long life in the heartland as it has in both London and New York.
For those unfamiliar with the 2000 movie upon which the musical is based (which, in turn, is based upon A.J. Cronin's novel, The Stars Look Down), a young, motherless boy living in a small Northern English mining town discovers by chance that he has a real talent and passion for dancing. Billy's personal struggle to become an artist is balanced against the prejudices of his father and older brother and the hardships caused by a miners' strike that threatens to ruin the entire community. Sir Elton John ("The Lion King," "Aida") penned the music and Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay, composed the book and lyrics for the musical. In fact the original British artistic team, led by director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling, have brilliantly brought this Chicago production to life.
Billy is played by 13-year-old Cesar Corrales (Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and J.P. Viernes alternate nightly in the title role) and his honest, gut-wrenching performance is guaranteed to move you. Not only is Corrales a terrific dancer, such that the audience was brought to its feet no less than three times during the production; but this boy is an emotionally grounded, truthful young actor for whom you cheer. Some moments will rip your heart out, such as when disappointment and frustration drive Billy into the manic "Angry Dance," when Billy joins his deceased mum (the superb Susie McMonagle) in a duet called "Dear Billy," or when his father finally supports Billy's dream to become a dancer.
Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy's brusque, no-nonsense dance instructor, is played with honesty and hard-edged passion by Broadway star Emily Skinner. Together with Blake Hammond's hilarious accompanist, Mr. Braithwaite, and her corps of bizarre young ballet students, the show offers a nice balance of humor and pathos. Armand Schultz is strong, yet touching as Billy's father and Cynthia Darlow and young Keean Johnson provide additional laughs as Grandma and Billy's best friend, Michael, respectively.
Bring plenty of kleenex with you and be prepared to cheer, applaud and shed a few tears as "Billy Elliot" dances into your heart. This English story offers universal truths and is truly a show not to be missed, especially if you've ever nurtured a dream to bust loose, create art or just to be true to yourself.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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