Chat About NC Theatre - Raleigh, NC, February 10-15, 2015

[angelenroute]

Equity Chorus Call Auditions have been announced for late October, in NYC:

http://www.exploretalent.com/auditions/ ... CQV2kpX-uY

According to the 'Background on Billy Elliot' pdf, linked from this audition notice, the language appears to be toned down a bit, but will be strong (no 'f-bomb' is listed) and, curiously, it notes that only 'Michael kisses Billy in friendship'. Perhaps these are merely examples of what the musical contains, and not a comprehensive list.

I'm still on my first cup of coffee, so please forgive me here if I'm missing it, but not seeing the PDF link on that page, and I'm very curious to see it now. Thanks.

Sean

[kport]

Equity Chorus Call Auditions have been announced for late October, in NYC:

http://www.exploretalent.com/auditions/ ... CQV2kpX-uY

According to the 'Background on Billy Elliot' pdf, linked from this audition notice, the language appears to be toned down a bit, but will be strong (no 'f-bomb' is listed) and, curiously, it notes that only 'Michael kisses Billy in friendship'. Perhaps these are merely examples of what the musical contains, and not a comprehensive list.

I'm still on my first cup of coffee, so please forgive me here if I'm missing it, but not seeing the PDF link on that page, and I'm very curious to see it now. Thanks.

Sean

Thanks for that. I have corrected my post. Here is that link, from the Raleigh audition notice:

http://nctheatre.com/assets/images/cont ... Elliot.pdf

[angelenroute]

Thanks, kport!

Some dialogue and lyrics reference cross-dressing and homosexuality. In “Expressing Yourself,” Billy’s
friend Michael persuades Billy to have fun with him by dressing up in women's clothing and disdaining
the restrictive inhibitions of their working class community.
Michael kisses Billy in friendship.

It sounds like the kind of white lie you tell just to get the production made. Michael does kiss Billy in friendship, but there's absolute love there, and everything points to Michael being a young kid just realizing he's gay. The music that plays when Michael says his goodbye to Billy is the "Love You Forever" theme, which is hardly, "Yeah, see ya, pal." If their relationship was changed to seem innocuous and casual, I'd be livid, as would Sir Elton John, I'd guess, but I don't think that's the case. It's probably (I tell myself) just to help tone down the subject matter when casting and promoting the show. Take all the f bombs out of the show if you have to (you don't, and I hate it when they do), but don't you dare tone down this loving friendship!

Sean

[kport]

We are veering off the topic a bit, but allow me to throw in two or three other observations about BETM (that could cause concern for some) not mentioned in that .pdf from Raleigh:

-I have witnessed patrons blanch and gasp when Mrs Wilkinson utters the command 'Forward to Socialism!'.

-I have witnessed the same when Small Boy exclaims 'Jesus!' while doing pressups.

(These reactions were most pronounced at Jacksonville, although I witnessed one gentleman throw a fit over 'socialism' being mentioned in Hartford.)

-In Oqunquit, I had to calm a situation where a patron was arguing with others during the Intermission about the 'musical's agenda'. The rant was truly a classic. Turns out his neighbors calmed him down and explained that he came to to wrong place (Ogunquit) to launch into such a diatribe. He was from another state, which is notoriously conservative; its name shall remain unmentioned......

Did I mention that he was standing, and applauding wildly, at the Standing Ovation after the Finale?

[CJ-Rochester]

Michael kisses Billy in friendship.

I interpret this as simply saying it's a kiss on the cheek, rather than on the lips. Don't have to read anything into the intent. It's interesting with all this disclosure they don't also mention Billy's return kiss at the end.

[kport]

Another Equity Cast Call for Raleigh; this one in Playbill:

http://playbill.com/jobs/job_detail/bil ... rev-331425

(Male Ballet Dancer/Older Billy has been cast, it notes. The Principle Roles of Dad, Mrs. Wilkinson and Grandma are not mentioned as part of the call.)

I have yet to see a casting call for a Billy (other children's roles have been called). Let the speculation commence.........

[CJ-Rochester]

I have yet to see a casting call for a Billy (other children's roles have been called). Let the speculation commence.........

Seeing that it is just over four months away, obviously they must already have their Billy. Who that may be is still a big guess. Of course we do know of a Billy who hails from NC.

[CJ-Rochester]

Melissa Cabey, assistant choreographer from the Ogunquit show, posted on her public Instagram that she will be working on the Raleigh production. If the comments are to be believed then another prominent member from the Ogunquit production will also be seen in Raleigh.

http://instagram.com/p/uT6qWuC_ut/?modal=true

[kport]

Melissa Cabey, assistant choreographer from the Ogunquit show, posted on her public Instagram that she will be working on the Raleigh production. If the comments are to be believed then another prominent member from the Ogunquit production will also be seen in Raleigh.

http://instagram.com/p/uT6qWuC_ut/?modal=true

I cannot see a credible comment to that effect posted there. Just speculation.

Perhaps the only credible connection is that she is studying for an M.F.A at Carolina Coastal University (2016) as a student of Adam Pelty (choreographer, BETM/OPH). They worked together at the OPH.

http://www.melissacabey.com/#!resume/c13dn

[ERinVA]

Like kport, I would not jump to conclusions. The post mentioning Sam is by royetten, not Melissa Cabey. That should tell you something right there.