Billy Elliot the Forum

The sets may be gloomy (the village is in the midst of a strike, after all). But I believe that most audiences connect emotionally with the show and understand the plight of its characters.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/feb ... y-elliott/

BEtourfan wrote:The sets may be gloomy (the village is in the midst of a strike, after all). But I believe that most audiences connect emotionally with the show and understand the plight of its characters.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/feb ... y-elliott/

Naples is relentlessly sunny, blue, green, grassy, gated, gilded, golfy, retiree, warm, comfortable, sunbirdy. I know it well.

I guess when one leaves that 'perfect' world and enters Billy's 'real' world, the contrasts would be startling - and uncomfortable.

I think by the time this reviewer wrote the last paragraph, he was beginning to get it. Too bad he did not go back and revise the Headline.

That review seems a bit all over the place to me.

I just replied to the review after registering. Because I'm new, my comment has to be approved before it's posted. I feel like this reviewer fell victim to the same problem some others have had. He sat there in their seat and took notes for their review, and didn't just sit back and let the story and music inspire them.

A quick look at his bio and some of his Starbucks drama writings show he may also just be a miserable person who likes being a critic. Sad.

But hey! He can't hold a candle to that miserable one in Richmond!

I have to confess that I thought it was one and the same reviewer....

kport wrote:I have to confess that I thought it was one and the same reviewer....

Maybe he winters in Florida

I just remembered that our Governor hails from Naples. I will pass no comment .. but I will think one.......

Those of us up in the Tampa/Clearwater/St Pete region are more relaxed. We loved BETM in Tampa two years ago and we loved it in Clearwater three weeks ago.

Here's a much more positive review from the Naples press:

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130 ... um=twitter

porschesrule wrote:Here's a much more positive review from the Naples press:

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130 ... um=twitter

Great review, and my favorite part:

On this opening-night show, we got Drew Minard, who gives Billy a grounded passion that makes him stand out sharply from the other kid characters, who come off a bit too cutesy for my taste. Minard makes you love Billy, and that makes all the difference in the world. And, wow, can he dance!

The sharp difference between Billy's seriousness and the girls' and even Michael's silliness really does highlight Billy as it's meant to! The show is succeeding when a reviewer can see this beautiful contrast and be pulled in by Billy's powerful role in scenes like Shine and Express Yourself. Bravo once again to the creators of this incredible show for a job well done! And bravo as always to the ballet girls and the Michaels for succeeding in being wonderfully different and all over the place!