Ensemble: Raleigh

[CJ-Rochester]

The first member of the ensemble to be announced is Conor DeVoe, who was in the Ogunquit production. Conor DeVoe will also be Assistant Choreographer.

What’s next for Billy Elliot actors Madge Dietrich, Conor DeVoe and Sam Faulkner? Dietrich is currently spreading holiday cheer for all to hear in Elf at Paper Mill Playhouse through January 4. DeVoe (also seen as Valentine in our production of Mary Poppins at The Music Hall earlier this month) reprises his roles as a member of the ensemble and as Assistant Choreographer in Billy Elliot at North Carolina Theatre in February alongside Faulkner who reprises his role as Billy. For more, follow these wonderfully talented people on Twitter: @MADGEikal / @ConorDeVoe / @samfaulkner5678.

https://www.facebook.com/OgunquitPlayho ... =1&theater

[porschesrule]

In a post in his own thread on this Forum, Paul Aguirre mentioned that he will be in the Ensemble of the NC Theatre production of the show. He also has played both Big Davey (N.A. Tour) and Mr. Braithwaite (MUNY) in the past, but didn't specifically mention a specific role beyond the Ensemble.

http://www.billyelliottheforum.me.uk/fo ... 38#p106138

[ERinVA]

Paul is listed as "Chorus" in the NCT cast list. Interestingly, there is no Mr. Braithwaite identified at this point.

Other "Chorus" members include:

Emily Gardenhire
Bryan Thomas Hunt
Dirk Lumbard (Listed as someone called "Grimsby." Sorry, never heard of the bloke.)
Charles Machalicky (Posh Dad)
Michael Mendez
Harris Milgrim
Lauren Elizabeth Neely
Joel Newsome (a familiar name from Chicago, Toronto, and the touring casts)
Adam Sarette (Dance Captain, Fight Captain and Chorus)
Kelsey Walston
Christopher Brian Williams

http://www.nctheatre.com/shows/billy-elliot

[kport]

Some may recall that Adam Sarette was in the Ogunquit ensemble; it was Adam that created that spoof video tribute to BETM, 'Twitchy that Walk'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYHUiPdwSis

[porschesrule]

Paul is listed as "Chorus" in the NCT cast list. Interestingly, there is no Mr. Braithwaite identified at this point.

I asked Paul Aguirre about this. In a message back to me, he indicated that he would indeed just be a member of the chorus in this production and that Dirk Lumbard would be playing the role of Mr. Braithwaite (listed as "Grimsby", which Paul believes was character Dirk played in another NC Theatre production).

[ERinVA]

In other words, they didn't proofread his bio.

[ERinVA]

I have created a thread for Dirk Lumbard as Mr. Braithwaite, and I have brought Paul Aguirre's thread over from the Muny section to this one.

[porschesrule]

Conor DeVoe gives this update on how rehearsals are going at the NC Theatre:

"4th day of rehearsal. Run of act one..."

https://twitter.com/ConorDeVoe/status/5 ... 6685701120

[ERinVA]

Coulda told him that!

[kport]

He was in the ensemble under Adam Pelty at Ogunquit; now he is Adam's number two at Raleigh. Reality check!

This show, with its complexity, and its age ranges (and reliance on one triple threat boy for the lead role), must be one of the most daunting ever to produce, especially for a one week run.

And expensive. Huge cast; many children; flying; large orchestra. Dance, dance and dance. Grease or The Book of Mormon are doddles, by contrast. A stroll in the park.

London has it down pat; but for regionals it must be a grey-hair experience! And all for just one week? It just seems......a missed opportunity.

Since they are so complex, top flight regionals should band together and co-produce these shows. Several do this: the Gateway Playhouse on Long Island and Ogunquit Playhouse will co-produce two shows in 2015. Perhaps three, if my hunch is correct (OPH has one unannounced show; it lies between the two shows it is co-producing with the Gateway.) The Gateway show that the OPH gap follows is Billy Elliot the Musical, a show that won seven Broadway World award for the OGP in 2014, an all-time record. The OPH has reprised successful shows before...........so my fingers are crossed.................but anything can happen.