Baltimore is being electrified for two weeks only as Broadway Across America in conjunction with Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions, and NETworks Presentations LLC brings the multi-Tony Award- winning musical Billy Elliot to the stage! The dazzling sensation of a young boy growing up in a miner’s town, desperate and destined to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer is one hit you won’t want to miss for the holiday season. The touring production features Direction by Justin Martin and Choreography by Kathryn Dunn; creating one sensational spectacular show. It makes the perfect holiday present for any performing artist — young or old — in your family this year.
The ensemble work is far superior to just about anything I’ve seen lately; Dunn’s magic easily flowing through the large group as they dance their hearts out in group numbers like “Company Celebration” and “Solidarity.” Being the longest number in the show, stretching over a period of time and various scenes, “Solidarity” is one of the most complex ensemble dance routines executed as it involves deeply intricate lines of dancing with characters floating in-between them, shifting costumes while singing and incorporating the ballet students in the throng of things. A stunning and severely intense number; this song drives the first act and really reaches out and grabs hold of the audience’s attention.
Right next to the dancing is the incredible performing; by way of singing and acting, from each and every performer present. The ensemble presents strong proud voices in numbers like “The Stars Look Down” and “Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher,” two completely opposite songs in regards to emotion and tone yet both are executed with a sturdy passion that really allows voice the lyrics of the song to be heard with meaning and feeling.
Grandma (Patti Perkins) is a rather entertaining character. A bit off her rocker while still being cleverly present, Perkins provides poignant comic relieve at key moments to keep things from seeming too serious, and she gives Billy a run for his money. Perkins has a weathered attitude while keeping her composure over reminiscing and does a bang-up job of balancing fond nostalgia and crackpot humor in her song “We’d Go Dancing.”
Dad (Rich Herbert) is a tough nut to crack as he’s deeply tucked away in his own lost world of striking miners and the loss of his wife. But Herbert brings a great deal of emotional depth to the character, sinking his teeth into the role in a dynamic manner, never allowing those tumultuous emotions to just play out at one level. His interactions with Billy are some of the most compelling scenes in the production and his gradual change and shift in perception is enough to bring you to warm heart-felt tears.
Keep your eye out for show stealing Michael (at this performance — Jake Kitchin) who has more than just a flare for the dramatic. With a spastic enthusiasm over just being himself, Kitchin steals the show in “Express Yourself” singing, dancing, and rocking that dress like a true Broadway Diva. The kid has spunk and gumption and is a real crowd pleaser. Kitchin has tender moments shared with the title character as well, but is never more than a breath away from the extroverted ball of fiery energy, just one step away from bursting into song and dance at any moment.
The other little scene stealer isn’t so little and comes in the form of a fully grown adult, Mr. Braithwaite (Patrick Wetzel). While mostly silent, Wetzel’s character is background comic entertainment, until he shows up with Mrs. Wilkinson and starts busting out dance moves in “Born to Boogie.” His phenomenal tap ability and range of movement, from leaps to splits, will just have your jaw dropping.
And then there’s Mrs. Wilkinson (Janet Dickinson). A rough around the edges sort of woman who really knows exactly what she’s doing when it comes to ballet, the heartfelt character is a well of deep emotions restrained and then released at exactly the right moments. Dickinson brings a raw honesty to the character; giving her a life-like portrayal that hardly feels as if she’s acting at all. She sings with tantamount perfection, belting out in “Shine” and “Born To Boogie” where she also showcases her many talented and complex dancing abilities. Her crass double talking nature is fitting for the comic elements of the production but when she settles down into the more serious moments of the character it is truly touching.
Billy Elliot (at this performance — Noah Parets) is literally in more ways than one the star of the show. His fierce passion for dancing is shown every step of the way. Parets is a precocious little actor but a phenomenally talented performer. During his “Angry Dance” he becomes a raging inferno of infuriating agony, literally expressing every angry emotion within him through his explosive dance. This is tempered later by his dance during “Electricity” which is both stunning and accompanied by his beautiful melodious singing solo. Parets simply soars to new heights, so much so that he practically has the audience leaping out of the chair with him when he dances, spins, and even flies with his dream self (Noah Long) late in act two. An out of this world performance given by the young performer; certainly something not to be missed.
So if you feel the need to express yourself, or just know that you too were born to boogie, then get yourself down to see Billy Elliot before he takes off to the royal ballet school and is gone for good.
Running Time: Approximately three hours with one intermission.
Billy Elliot plays through December 30, 2012 at The Hippodrome Theatre as part of the Hippodrome Broadway Series. The Hippodrome is located at 12 N. Eutaw Street in Baltimore, MD. For tickets, call the box office at (410) 547-7328, or purchase them online.