The Final Days: A Blog

KR200
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by KR200 »

Thanks for sharing!

Random question, because I wonder how it works... When Brionna was on for SB, was really a "small girl," correct? How was it in the boxing scene?
Chicago
Billy: Giuseppe x1, JP x2, Marcus x2, Tommy x1, Cesar x2
Michael: Keean x4, Dillon x3, Jack x1
Debbie: Maria x8, TB: Spencer x6, Kennedy x2, SB: Mark x6, Elijah x2

NYC
Billy: David Ax1, Tanner x1, Trent x1
Michael: Keean x1, Frank x2
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dongringo
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by dongringo »

Just found your blog shimmyshimmy and am following it. So keep posting please! :D

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. ;)
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CJ-Rochester
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by CJ-Rochester »

Thanks for all of these reviews throughout the past 7 months shimmyshimmy. It has been great to have such "on the spot" reporting. Enjoy your time in Florida!

Meanwhile I have heard that a couple of guys from "down under" might be there to report on the final peformances. ;)
-Chris
:/
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KiwiT
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by KiwiT »

CJ-Rochester wrote: Meanwhile I have heard that a couple of guys from "down under" might be there to report on the final peformances. ;)
-Chris
I will be there. I am not great at reviews but I will try to post something if no one else does!

Sadly it seems I am not going to get to see the amazing Ty but I still hope for something special in the final show with perhaps all the Billies and Michaels making an appearance as they did for the Australian closing shows so perhaps all is not lost?

Tim
61 Brilliant Billys, 44 Magnificent Michaels
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tomtorfan
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by tomtorfan »

This isn't as much a review as it is an appreciation of the huge young talent that is improbably packaged into the slight frame of one Julian Elia.

Tonight was his last performance as Billy in Toronto. The theatre was full of family and friends (and forum members) who gave a rousing cheer when his name was announced at the start of the evening roll call. And what a show it was.

I won't itemize everything...forum members know that the Billys are all talented dancers. That's a given and Julian is no different, as he once again put on a classic demonstration of how to lift Peter Darling's great choreography off the page and into the hearts of 1,800 people. But what really impressed me from the first time I saw Julian perform on stage back in June was how damned good his acting is. This kid is Billy Elliot. The hope, the grief, the rage, the loneliness, the determination, the triumph, the joy - it's all there. In his face, his eyes, his smile, his body language. There are times this boy just doesn't need words - they're almost in the way.

Fellow cast members gave him such great support tonight, delivering a sparkling performance that resonated throughout the theatre. Julian teared up and was sniffling during the final letter scene - entirely appropriate for that scene of course - dramatically showcasing the raw vulnerability of this boy. But were we looking at Julian ... or Billy? Hard to tell.

He was sporting the biggest smile I've ever seen during the finale...Dillon hugged him....hugged him again at the stage door while a beaming poppa and teary mom looked on.

So after 27 shows, it's Happy Trails for Julian Elia, unless Broadway decides there's room for just one more from the Toronto production.

In a few days, Julian will be back in school. A teacher may ask the usual post-Labour Day question: What did you do during the summer? When it's Julian's turn, he would be entirely justified in answering: "Well, I tackled one of the most demanding theatrical roles every written, performed it with passion in front of 50,000 people, got a few dozen standing ovations, and won glowing praise from the most respected theatre critic in Canada ("Elia is probably the most touching of all the young men I've seen play Billy over the years").

But Julian, who is by all accounts a modest lad, would be more likely to answer, "Well, I had a lot of fun."

So did we, Julian. So did we.

Thanks.
We will find a new tomorrow
When we come to rest at last...
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porschesrule
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by porschesrule »

A well written and very thoughtful tribute to Julian, tomtorfan. What you've written certainly puts an exclamation point on everything I've seen and read about Julian.

I truly hope there's room for his marvelous talent somewhere in the Billy world, be it on Broadway or the Tour. But if there's not, there's no doubt we'll see him again in some other entertainment vehicle in the years to come.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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porschesrule
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by porschesrule »

According the public twitter of the restaurant "South of Temperance", it will be the site of tonight's Closing Party for the cast and crew of BETM Toronto:

http://twitter.com/#!/southoftemp/

Looks like a nice place:

http://www.southoftemperance.com/
muck912
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by muck912 »

Saturday, Sept. 3 Matinee

Myles/Jack

This matinee was the start of the most emotionally exhausting day of theater but also the most exhilarating day of theater in my decades of going to shows. This was Myles final Toronto performance before heading to New York. And Myles showed why Broadway has come a-calling. I've said in previous reviews that I consider Myles to be a truly extaordinary Billy, and truly extraordinary he was in his hometown finale.

Right from "take me up and hold me gently" Myles' singing was beautiful all night long.

Cindy Benson did a great job as usual with Grandma's song. When it was over and she and Myles were arm-in-arm walking off the stage she affectionately laid her head on Myles shoulder. You could tell that she was going to miss her leading man.

Myles and Jack expressed themselves for the final time and had great fun in the process. Jack is a great young (still just 11 years old despite starting his career in Chicago) Michael. I've got to believe that BETM will find a spot for him. He is also an iron man. He's done 250 consecutive performances as either Michael or Tall Boy without missing a show! 8 shows a week, every week, no vacations, no sick days, no nothing! He's an 11 year old who could write a book about work ethic.

Myles has got to be excited about Broadway but during Mum's Letter you could tell he was really upset about leaving Toronto behind. He was teary and could barely get out the last few words of the song. Sniffles throughout the audience.

More sniffles in B2B. Kate Hennig was the cause of these sniffles. A tearful embrace.

Myles final Toronto Angry Dance blew everyone away!!! I don't think it is possible to do a better AD. Screams throughout, multiple F-bombs, spectacular tap, absolutly frenetic movement. My favorite part of the show done by my favorite purveyor of violent, tapping mayhem! Musical theater just doesn't get any better than this! This scene alone will bring me to New York City.

Jake Epstein deserves mention. He is wired every night, but even moreso today. His hot-tempered, hyperkinetic Tony makes Sonny Corleone seem catatonic. I love his portrayal. If I was the GM of the Tour I'd quickly sign him on the dotted line.

I can't think of any more superlatives to describe Myles' Electricity. His singing, dancing, and multiple aerials are a thing of beauty night after night after night. This matinee was no different.

The emotion of the moment got to him again and Myles had trouble getting through the Letter Reprise, speaking instead of singing the last few words. His eyes also glistened during his goodbye to Michael.

Myles composed himself for the finale and the afternoon ended on a tremendous high note with loud standing ovations. This had been more than enough emotionally draining entertainment for one day, but there was another 3 hours to go in the evening.
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dongringo
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by dongringo »

Wow!
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muck912
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Re: The Final Days: A Blog

Post by muck912 »

The Grand Finale. Saturday Sept. 3 evening

Marcus/Dillon

This was the final show in Toronto and the last performances for two great singer/actor/dancers, Marcus Pei and Dillon Stevens. Marcus, a big 13 year old Billy, is retiring and returning to the National Ballet School in Toronto (despite the fact he is from Iowa City, Iowa). Dillon, a small 14 year old Michael, will return home to North Carolina unless he gets a call from BETM. A strong case can be made that both kids are among the very best to ever play their role.

Stephen Daldry was in New York for the weekend and would speak there before the start of the final show of 3 of the adult actors. So we wondered who from BETM would speak before the final Toronto show to thank the city of Toronto, the cast of 50, and especially the 2 living legends, Marcus and Dillon. Surely someone would explain to the crowd (perhaps 40% of whom had no idea it was a special night) that this was a final performance and an especially emotional night for Marcus and Dillon. Maybe even point out their families and thank them for the sacrifices they have made in Chicago and Toronto. Maybe thank the families of the ballet girls who have done the same sacrificing without the glory of the Billys and Michaels. Surely someone would make an appearance on stage to get the night started. And sure enough, someone appeared on stage and got the night started. But that someone had a lollipop in his mouth, was 7 years old, and sat down to watch the Maggie Thatcher movie. Not one word the whole night from anyone affiliated with BETM. No explanations, no thank yous, no nothing. It's as if BETM, Inc. was saying to the cast and crew "don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out".

But the BETM snub didn't affect the performance at all. In fact, it was the most memorable show I've ever seen. The best 3 hours I've ever spent at a theater!! Nothing else comes close.

The place was packed. Not one empty chair. The audience had many forumites, former cast members, families of the child cast members, and 1st timers (like the family of four next to me that had no idea it was a final show and had no clue who Marcus or Dillon were.) An unusual random seating arrangment about 10 rows back had former Big Davey Will Mann seated next to Ty Forhan's grandmother who was seated next to former Broadway Debbie Erin Whyland. I don't think anybody seated in AA had seen the show fewer than 50 times. And what a night to be in AA.

As always Matt Allen starts thing off with his wonderful voice "through the dark and through the hunger". The first cheers of the night came when Marcus was escorted to his chair by Jackie. When Marcus started beautifully singing "take me up and hold me gently" I noticed that the words to the song were so appropriate for the night: "we will find a new tomorrow, when we come to rest at last, and we will stand there proudly, and we will never walk alone, and we will be returned, back to our home." The genius of Lee Hall.

Cindy Benson gave it her all for her last "We'd Go Dancing". As Cindy and Marcus walked off the stage Cindy rested her head on Marcus' shoulder as she had done with Myles earlier in the day. Cindy is going to miss this leading man, too.

The ballet girls and the adult ensemble do such a great job with Solidarity. Imagine the hours of rehearsal to get such a complex number right. But get it right they do, every single time. Marcus's dancing at the end of the song inspired the loudest applause I've ever heard for Solidarity.

The final Expressing Yourself for Dillon & Marcus was memorable. Dillon is the absolute comedic master. You can tell that Marcus and Dillon are right friends off stage. They have such a great time together on stage as well. Dillon got an extremely loud applause at the conclusion of the scene.

Marcus had trouble getting through Mum's Letter. I don't think it was acting. Later on, Kate Hennig had a tough time keeping her composure. I don't think it was acting.

B2B was spectacular. A great piano flip with a perfect landing. Fast crossovers with the rope. And great rapport between Mr. B, Mrs. W and Billy.

The first big standing ovation of the night came after Angry Dance. It was Marcus' last one and he put everything he had into it. The crowd showed its appreciation. Nearly everyone was on their feet.

The Winter Scene with Dillon and the tutu always gets the loudest laughs of the night. It is obvious that the Toronto creative team gives Dillon free reign to improvise because Dillon never plays the scene the same way twice. He gets free reign to improvise because he never drops the ball. He is always funny!

The most incredible occurance of the night was Electricity. Marcus is one of the all time best Ballet Billys, combine that with a great singing voice, and you have a most memorable Electricity. At the conclusion the crowd lept to it feet for a thunderous standing ovation. The ovation just kept getting longer and longer and louder and louder. When you have 1800 people yelling, screaming, clapping, standing for you and you're 13 years old and its your last show, your last Electricity, what do you do? If you are Marcus Pei you are ever the professional, ever the perfectionist. You don't smile, you don't acknowledge, you stay in character, quickly grab your bag from Dad and run off the stage. INCREDIBLE!! It is this professionalism and dedication to perfection, combined with raw talent that has made Marcus one of the all-time great Billys.

It was tissue time throughout the Canon Theatre when Mum reappeared for the Letter Reprise. If there was a dry eye in the house that person must have a tear duct blockage.

Patrons should have just kept their tissues out for the Billy/Michael goodbye scene. "See ya Dillon", "See ya Marcus" was more than most could handle.

Standing ovation as Marcus walks towards the lobby. Standing ovation as he runs back on stage. Standing ovation at the chair lift. Standing ovation when he's finally alone on stage. I think the audience likes Marcus. When he waves for cast to join him only the other 3 Billys come from the wings. The 4 Billys are alone on stage and dance a final number. I believe it is the only time the 4 have performed together. I don't believe I have even seen a picture of these 4 Billys together. Don't get me started about the Toronto publicity (or lack thereof.)
The 4 Billys then waive the cast onto the stage and the curtain goes down on a great show for the last time. 1800 emotionally drained people shuffle out into the night. Most of the 1800 will never forget the night for as long as they live.

The stage door scene was jubilant. 11 year old phenom Jack Broderick came out and gave his mother a huge hug. Despite the darkness, Dillon was wearing sunglasses. Hiding some puffy eyes is my guess. He smilingly posed for pictures, but kept the glasses on. Marcus was full of smiles, greeting lots of family and friends.

I hope other forum members post there own reviews or add to this one. There is so much going on on that stage that I'm sure I missed some things.
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