Billy Elliot the Forum

In an article entitled "Individuality - Conversations with the Chicago Cast of Billy Elliot the Musical", the website newsvine.com talked with JP Viernes, Armand Shultz, Cynthia Darlow and and Keean Johnson:

http://mlharriswriter.newsvine.com/_new ... he-musical

I can't say I'm particularly impressed by the writer (spelling, usage, etc.), but the words of the four cast members provide some nice insights into how they view the show, their roles and living in Chicago.

P.S. Whoa!! I hadn't fully finished reading this article before i realized, at the very end, he linked to my article: Meet the Billys – Chicago: Billy Elliot the Musical (http://www.theskykid.com/finearts/billy ... s-chicago/)

Thanks for the link. Excellent "conversations." It is really nice to get the actors' takes on what they are doing.

I just wish I hadn't come to a full stop every time I hit the word "their" for "they're" and "roll" for "role," not to mention "set down" for "sit down" and "in a since" for "in a sense." For heaven's sake, M.L. Harris, get a copy editor!!!

Very interesting article. I'd forgotten that Cynthia Darlow was a member of the Broadway cast. Was she the alternate Grandma ? I don't remember seeing her until I saw the show in Chicago. Neat also how the kids get together and hang out on their day off from the show. They do seem to be a very close-knit group.

And yes Ellen, you're right about the writer needing a copy editor or proof-reader. I always get confused when "their" is used for "they're" or "to" is used for "too." Sadly, his punctuation and spelling were about on par with much of the writing I get from my 8th grade students at the school where I teach.

I didn't remember Cynthia Darlow as part of the Broadway cast either.
I suppose I should break out one of my playbills from previews and look her up.

The following on Cynthia Darlow appears in the cast list on Greg Jbara's website:

Cynthia Darlow
*Later Cast *has left the Broadway show
Ensemble / Grandma Stand-by
[Standby for "Grandma" during Carole Shelley's summer 2009 vacation.
Went on to originate "Grandma" in the Chicago production.]

I checked and IBDB doesn't list her either on opening night or as a replacement understudy (Merle Louise is listed). Billy Elliot is not shown on her list of credits either.

They do seem to have a fairly complete list, even including Greg Jbara, Stephen Hanna and David Bologna as replacements since they took time away. The glaring exception seems to be the lack of Tanner's name on the replacements list (for the end of May, beginning of June, 2009).

Ed