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| Ty Forhan (Billy), Leah Hocking (Mrs. Wilkinson) and Annelise Ritacca (Ballet Girl) in “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo credit: Photo by Kyle Froman |
The show successfully balances the tension of its coming-of-age storyline about a boy who wants to dance and the roughness of adults who are struggling in the face of a miners strike (there are a lot of jokes about Margaret Thatcher). The elegance of dance and the innocence of dreams comes head-to-head with the gruffness of the mining profession and the stark negativity of adult life and decisions that seem worlds apart from childhood dreams. Often both these elements are combined for rich and complex numbers with the full ensemble ("Solidarity", "Angry Dance") that get right to the heart of the tension.
But among the ensembles are more intimate moments of song and dance, that touch on Billy's memory of his mother ("Dear Billy") and how dancing makes him feel ("Electricity"). My favorite number is when we get to see Billy's aspiration to be a grown-up dancer unfold in his imagination. We see him and and his envisioned older self performing to "Swan Lake". This moment is breathtaking.
At the same time, the show is very amusing with baudy jokes often being thrown and amusing dance numbers featuring the show's very talented cast of young performers ("Shine"). My favorite among these is a brilliant tap dancing number featuring Billy's friend Michael who enjoys dressing in girls clothing ("Expressing Yourself"), one of the number of references that support the show's overall message of accepting people for who they are and being able to be who you dream to be.
The production features a terrific and amazing cast of performers who seem to be able to do it all, including the show's many young performers. Ty Forhan, who portrayed Billy during opening night, is exceptionally talented as a singer and dancer. But while the title character is a focal point of the production, the show would be nowhere without the actors in its ensemble that bring it all together. It is this entire production that will make you leave the theatre inspired to follow your dreams.
Although the show has many exceptional and talented child performers, it is worth noting that Billy Elliot the Musical should not be seen as a children's musical. The conflicts and struggles of the adult characters (and their free use of language) are not taken lightly and are an important part of what makes this show successful. This should be taken as a note to parents deciding on the appropriate age to take their children, but also as a note to adults to not dismiss the show simply because the title character is 11 years-old.
Billy Elliot the Musical runs until May 13, 2012 at The Pantages Theatre.
-Charity Tran
Arrrrrrrr, matey! Avast! Ahoy! And let's throw in a shiver me timbers for good measure. The 2012 Pirate Festival to benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation takes place Saturday, May 19 from 2:00-5:00 PM (1:00-5:00 PM for VIP) at 1010 Wilshire in Downtown. For our readers who have an affinity for the life of a pirate, here's yet another opportunity (Talk Like A Pirate Day and Halloween are much too far away) to dress up and live our fantasies! This event offers plenty of entertainment, grub, wenches and libations.
May the Fourth Be With You.
On May 23 the world premiere of the musical, Los Otros, makes its debut at the Mark Taper Forum. The show celebrates those experiencesthat are unique to Southern California. In honor of this, we are giving away 
This Saturday, May 19 from 10AM-1PM, Hollywood is taking it to the streets with a block party. The event offers local residents* a rare opportunity to experience Hollywood like never before. Staff from L.A.'s own permanent Cirque du Soleil show, IRIS, will be on hand to demonstrate the magic of make-up. Visitors will have a chance to tour the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre for free. Madame Tussaud's Hollywood is offering free admission. There will also be opportunities to enter to win, with prizes including a one-night stay at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel..jpg)
Follies is a song and dance with time. Perhaps this is fitting in its wild success as a musical revival. It has, after all, just received 25 Tony Award® nominations. But it is this layering of the past into the present, the heart of the show itself, that makes this show so wildly entertaining and relatable. 
Barbara Buatois and her Performer Low Racer, at the Finish Line for the 2010 Race Across AMerica (RAAM) in Annapolis, MD 
Rans X-stream 26, LWB mid racer 559/559, seat height 20.5-21" (52-53 cm)
The "classic" rear engine, rear wheel drive Porsche is a fundamentally flawed automobile design. 
Barbara Buatois, First Place Finisher in 2010 RAAM, on a Factory Custom SWB Performer Low Racer Recumbent
Microbent CLWB Recumbent, by Fred Fincher, USA 
Upright Bike, Diamond Frame (DF) Configuration, possibly a Felt
Recumbent Bike, SWB Configuration, Performer Low Racer Caliper
Recumbent Trike, Tadpole Configuration, Performer JC-70 CM Sports Trike
Two points determine a line
Three points determine a plane
Performer Low Racer Caliper, a SWB low racer
Performer JC-70 CM, a tadpole sports trike
