Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

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LiamM
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by LiamM »

I understand at least some of them were spotted during auditions for the Broadway production and brought to the West End because they would be too old by the time Broadway opened.
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by ERinVA »

kport wrote:
rob_hanson1979 wrote:Sam was an outstanding Billy... definitely within the ranks of the others I've seen. I could never understand why the London show never snatched him up, outside of maybe his age.
I am wondering - how did the non-US Billys (Adam, for example) come to the attention of the London production? Was/is there a US agent (such as Nora Brennan) on the look out for potential London Billys - or was it happenstance through word of mouth and so on? I wonder if he was considered for the Tour?
Do you mean non-UK London Billys coming to the attention of the London production?

So far as I remember reading, there was an audition process in place early on, looking for possible US Billys to train for the Broadway show, but some of them were already at the point where they didn't need to be trained in dance, they just needed to learn the show, so they went to London. Once the door was open, more auditions followed, with NY and London collaborating on placement. But at the same time, the casting agents also "scouted" competitions for prospects. I think for Sam, the timing probably just didn't work out for him to make the tour, perhaps because of other commitments he had, and/or the need for new Billys.
Ellen



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-George Balanchine 1904 -1983


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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by mikey2573 »

As an avid theater goer (and performer) since I was a child, there are certain "moments" in the theater that I will never forget.

That moment in the Broadway revival of PETER PAN when Sandy Duncan spins up into the sky, and the elaborate and stunning Darling Nursery set literally spins away in seconds to reveal a bare stage with Duncan and three children flying back and forth.

The moment in CATS when Laurie Beechman as Grizzabella, belted out the final verse of "Memory" and the entire 1,800 member audience almost jumped out of their seats.

And Sam Faulkner's final "Electricity" at the Ogunquit Playhouse, when the entire audience stood up on its feet and applauded for what seemed like forever, while Sam stood there in that final pose, tears streaming down his face and his body shaking with sobs.

I envy all of those who will get a chance to see his Billy.
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by ERinVA »

Sam Faulkner

(Billy) is thrilled to return to this dream role after playing “Billy” this past summer in Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Billy Elliot! Most recently, Sam was seen in NYC industry readings of the Broadway-bound revival of The Me Nobody Knows, directed by Stafford Arima. Sam also appeared as “Ralphie” in A Christmas Story, The Musical in Chicago, and he has performed in over 20 regional productions in his hometown, Charlotte, NC. Sam began dancing at age nine, and has since won many awards, including the title of Teen Mr. Dance of North Carolina 2013-2014. Thanks to Nancy Carson, Tyler Hanes, Ron Chisholm, Annette Tanner, JMSD, BDF, MSDA, and all his amazing friends and family! (Instagram/Twitter:@samfaulkner5678)

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



"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983


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kport
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by kport »

This appears to be a promo video by the Charlotte Observer, of Sam and the upcoming Raleigh show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj5mA_1p9M0
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by ERinVA »

I'm sure there will be a considerable contingent of folks from Charlotte heading to Raleigh to see Sam as Billy. As the note under the video says, Sam is from Charlotte, so I am glad the Charlotte Observer is giving him a bit of limelight in advance of the show.
Ellen



"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983


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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by CJ-Rochester »

Sam and Ira David Wood were interviewed this morning on My Carolina Today.

http://www.wncn.com/story/28023887/bill ... he-musical
kport
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by kport »

This is a magnificent article about Sam, and his journey to play Billy, from the Charlotte Observer (his home town paper). The video has been linked before, but there is also a slideshow:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2015/0 ... NjETtX3-iw
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by porschesrule »

Sounds like Sam's in show business for the long term. His final quote in that article:

“Performing is what I go to bed thinking about, what I dream about, what I look forward to when I wake up. I want to be the person who performs until he steps offstage one day after the final curtain call and drops dead. That’s the ideal.” :D
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Re: Sam Faulkner: Billy - Ogunquit and Raleigh

Post by kport »

This may be old, but it just popped up amongst my alerts:

http://www.nctheatre.com/stage-notes/en ... r-as-billy
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