http://berkshirebrightfocus.com/billy-elliot/
This world-class musical is now on stage at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam. Connecticut where it is set to remain through November 24. It should stay longer. . .much longer.
Goodspeed Reviews
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porschesrule
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Re: Goodspeed Reviews
A very insightful and positive review of the show can be found today at this website:
http://berkshirebrightfocus.com/billy-elliot/
http://berkshirebrightfocus.com/billy-elliot/
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porschesrule
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9389
- Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:02 am
- Location: Rhode Island, USA
Re: Goodspeed Reviews
Another great review, this time from the Newtown Bee:
https://www.newtownbee.com/10112019/the ... excellent/
https://www.newtownbee.com/10112019/the ... excellent/
Re: Goodspeed Reviews
https://www.theday.com/article/20191013/ENT10/191019981The Goodspeed is wrapping up the season at its Opera House in East Haddam with “Billy Elliot,” and since “Billy” is a newer show (it hit Broadway in 2008) and might not have the widespread audience knowledge that more part-of-the-canon musicals do, we will get the uninitiated caught up on some of its most salient features.
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porschesrule
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- Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:02 am
- Location: Rhode Island, USA
Re: Goodspeed Reviews
This critic writes:
http://www.shorelinetimes.com/lifestyle ... dcde6.htmlDespite some terrific scenes and performances, Goodspeed Musicals’ production, running through Nov. 24, ultimately lacks this show’s essential electricity.
For me: Brilliant! Remarkable success on tiny stage.
For me: A brilliant version of Billy.
And see it TWICE... the two Billies are superb, but in very different ways, not least because, physically, they are so different.
Goodspeed is a small theatre. I was afraid Billy just wouldn't "fit".
I don't know how, but Gabriel Barre has packed ALL of "the heart" of the show onto Goodspeed's stage. (He directed the major, long running, Mexico City production, and this is not his first show for the Goodspeed space.)
He's made a few changes, he's even introduced some new (to me, anyway) ideas. And I like all (but one) of them. And me someone who hates change. (The one change I don't understand doesn't "hurt" the show... it just leaves one of the usual high spots out.)
The Billies, as I've said, are superb. But in review after review, I have seen "ALL of the cast are good"... which I fully agree with. The most "minor" ensemble player is first class. Jon (Michael) is wonderfully comical, and comes across as someone you'd want as a friend. Grandma... not a easy role?... is marvelous. Debbie, and every one of the four(!) ballet girls are full characters in their own right. (How did Barre get the razzle dazzle of a larger ballet class out of so few? I don't know... but he did.)
Sean Hayward, as Dad, is perhaps the best I've seen. So very convincing, so multi-dimensional... I understand from a post elsewhere in this forum that he is to be replaced, alas... but wanted to say what I saw, none-the-less.
Michelle Aravena, as Mrs. Wilkinson, is, again, multi-dimensional, and her Mrs.Wilinson is so "right". (She teaches dance to kids between acting gigs.)
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Loved it. Go. Closes 24 November. Tickets getting scarce. https://www.goodspeed.org/shows/billy-e ... he-musical
Go TWICE... once for each Billy... http://bit.ly/HaddamBillies
And see it TWICE... the two Billies are superb, but in very different ways, not least because, physically, they are so different.
Goodspeed is a small theatre. I was afraid Billy just wouldn't "fit".
I don't know how, but Gabriel Barre has packed ALL of "the heart" of the show onto Goodspeed's stage. (He directed the major, long running, Mexico City production, and this is not his first show for the Goodspeed space.)
He's made a few changes, he's even introduced some new (to me, anyway) ideas. And I like all (but one) of them. And me someone who hates change. (The one change I don't understand doesn't "hurt" the show... it just leaves one of the usual high spots out.)
The Billies, as I've said, are superb. But in review after review, I have seen "ALL of the cast are good"... which I fully agree with. The most "minor" ensemble player is first class. Jon (Michael) is wonderfully comical, and comes across as someone you'd want as a friend. Grandma... not a easy role?... is marvelous. Debbie, and every one of the four(!) ballet girls are full characters in their own right. (How did Barre get the razzle dazzle of a larger ballet class out of so few? I don't know... but he did.)
Sean Hayward, as Dad, is perhaps the best I've seen. So very convincing, so multi-dimensional... I understand from a post elsewhere in this forum that he is to be replaced, alas... but wanted to say what I saw, none-the-less.
Michelle Aravena, as Mrs. Wilkinson, is, again, multi-dimensional, and her Mrs.Wilinson is so "right". (She teaches dance to kids between acting gigs.)
---
Loved it. Go. Closes 24 November. Tickets getting scarce. https://www.goodspeed.org/shows/billy-e ... he-musical
Go TWICE... once for each Billy... http://bit.ly/HaddamBillies
Re: Goodspeed Reviews- good/bad ratio?
Someone mentioned that https://www.ctinsider.com posted a negative review.
True! But if you read it, the reviewer hated the SHOW, to begin with. The review says very little about the production at Goodspeed.
I think that the number of awards won by the show in London, New York, and elsewhere establish that for many people, there's nothing wrong with the show.
Since the time the ctinsider review came out, there have been many positive reviews of the Goodspeed production.
True! But if you read it, the reviewer hated the SHOW, to begin with. The review says very little about the production at Goodspeed.
I think that the number of awards won by the show in London, New York, and elsewhere establish that for many people, there's nothing wrong with the show.
Since the time the ctinsider review came out, there have been many positive reviews of the Goodspeed production.
Re: Goodspeed Reviews
https://www.wiltonbulletin.com/news/art ... 828398.phpThe “Billy Elliot” success (it played 1,312 performances on Broadway, winning 10 Tony Awards) is a reminder that most great musicals balance personal stories against a political background. In fact, it’s almost essential that the public and private mesh.
Re: Goodspeed Reviews
My first reaction to personal+politcal was "no"... then I started thinking through the musicals I consider "great"... My Fair Lady (political not VERY strong... but the importance of the "political" matter of "class" certainly huge, and very nearly the same thing) Then I thought of Sound of Music. Sweet story of a nice governess for some repressed kiddies? Well yes... but then the little matter of Hitler arises. (And the fact that it is mostly true doesn't hurt!). Even Camelot!
So! You're right kport, I think. Thanks for helping me realize that one of the things that I knew made Billy THE greatest musical is true in general. Maybe I need to see Miss Saigon! Others in this vein? (Les Mis, of course?)
So! You're right kport, I think. Thanks for helping me realize that one of the things that I knew made Billy THE greatest musical is true in general. Maybe I need to see Miss Saigon! Others in this vein? (Les Mis, of course?)
Re: Goodspeed Reviews
And Hamilton!Sheepdog wrote:My first reaction to personal+politcal was "no"... then I started thinking through the musicals I consider "great"... My Fair Lady (political not VERY strong... but the importance of the "political" matter of "class" certainly huge, and very nearly the same thing) Then I thought of Sound of Music. Sweet story of a nice governess for some repressed kiddies? Well yes... but then the little matter of Hitler arises. (And the fact that it is mostly true doesn't hurt!). Even Camelot!
So! You're right kport, I think. Thanks for helping me realize that one of the things that I knew made Billy THE greatest musical is true in general. Maybe I need to see Miss Saigon! Others in this vein? (Les Mis, of course?)