New York, New York
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:13 pm
I hope the Mods won't mind me posting this here as well as on the US section because I know that there are some Forum Members who simply don't have the time to read all three sections of the Forum.
I went over to see the US version (three shows) this week with a completely open mind knowing that there are some changes to the show we see in London but not knowing too much about the detail.
Nothing could have prepared me for the surprise. It was like that first time in July 2006 when I saw BETM for the first time. I'm only back home and more than a bit jet-lagged so I'll have to be brief. The US Billy is MAGNIFICENT. There are differences of some kind in every scene from that in London right from the very start and the music is orchestrated differently or at least with different instruments used a lot of the time, but there was not one milli-second in the entire three shows that I was not enthralled, captivated, amazed, blown away, (and all the other words that can be used) at the manner in which the show is presented on Broadway. All three shows were jammed solid with pumped-up audiences. It brought a new meaning to "unbelievable".
If I had known at the time of booking that there would be four Billys I would have booked four shows instead of three. It was great to see the three original US Billys Kiril, David and Trent in that order but, luckily, also saw the fourth Billy, Tommy Batchelor once as Tall Boy. Great reason to go back again not to mention that David Bologna was on vacation. Frank twice as Michael and Keean three times, once as Michael and Tall Boy twice. There seems to be only one Debbie, Erin. Two Small Boys (Mitchell and Matthew). To see this amazing young talent all in the one show on Broadway is such a magnificent pleasure. Each and every one of them is so brilliant and special at what they do that I can still feel the hairs on the back of my neck bristling at the memories.
Likewise, the adult cast. I hope to make some more individual comments over the next few days but suffice to say for now that they have been expertly handpicked to play all the wonderful characters we all know and love from the show. But what a giant of a man Gregory Jbara is. On the stage his portrayal of Dad is so moving. One of my favourite scenes in the London show is the pit confrontation scene with Tony and He Could be a Star. This scene has been reworked and was the real surprise package. When I heard from another Forum member that Billy was now in this scene I have to admit I was not fussed about that. Now, having seen it, I hope this is brought to London. It is brilliantly done, a tearjerker of monumental proportions and brings a whole new meaning to "Take This and This". Greg has his tenderest emotional moment in this scene and even as I write this I can feel the tear ducts opening. But Greg is more than just a great performer. He is the show's greatest ambassador and meeting him was the highlight of three amazing days in New York that I will never, ever forget.
The wonderful friendly atmosphere outside the theatre after the shows added hugely to the occasion and to all of the cast/crew that we met a big Irish Go raibh míle maith agat (1000 thanks to you). It was an enormous icing on the cake.
Don't get me wrong. I can't wait for next week's Thursday Matinee in London. I greatly missed not being there this week. But here we have two fantastic but different presentations of the same show that leave you not only breathless but wanting more and more. If only Ryanair did Transatlantic I could head over on the early flight from Dublin to New York every Wednesday in time for the matinee, then catch a late night flight back to London in time for Thursday Matinee. Now, there's a greedy thought.
Extra special to meet up with some wonderful fans (you know who you are) showing what a truly international following BETM has.
I am definitely going back to see the US Billy again and I would exhort anyone who can make it to go and, preferably, soon.
Pat
I went over to see the US version (three shows) this week with a completely open mind knowing that there are some changes to the show we see in London but not knowing too much about the detail.
Nothing could have prepared me for the surprise. It was like that first time in July 2006 when I saw BETM for the first time. I'm only back home and more than a bit jet-lagged so I'll have to be brief. The US Billy is MAGNIFICENT. There are differences of some kind in every scene from that in London right from the very start and the music is orchestrated differently or at least with different instruments used a lot of the time, but there was not one milli-second in the entire three shows that I was not enthralled, captivated, amazed, blown away, (and all the other words that can be used) at the manner in which the show is presented on Broadway. All three shows were jammed solid with pumped-up audiences. It brought a new meaning to "unbelievable".
If I had known at the time of booking that there would be four Billys I would have booked four shows instead of three. It was great to see the three original US Billys Kiril, David and Trent in that order but, luckily, also saw the fourth Billy, Tommy Batchelor once as Tall Boy. Great reason to go back again not to mention that David Bologna was on vacation. Frank twice as Michael and Keean three times, once as Michael and Tall Boy twice. There seems to be only one Debbie, Erin. Two Small Boys (Mitchell and Matthew). To see this amazing young talent all in the one show on Broadway is such a magnificent pleasure. Each and every one of them is so brilliant and special at what they do that I can still feel the hairs on the back of my neck bristling at the memories.
Likewise, the adult cast. I hope to make some more individual comments over the next few days but suffice to say for now that they have been expertly handpicked to play all the wonderful characters we all know and love from the show. But what a giant of a man Gregory Jbara is. On the stage his portrayal of Dad is so moving. One of my favourite scenes in the London show is the pit confrontation scene with Tony and He Could be a Star. This scene has been reworked and was the real surprise package. When I heard from another Forum member that Billy was now in this scene I have to admit I was not fussed about that. Now, having seen it, I hope this is brought to London. It is brilliantly done, a tearjerker of monumental proportions and brings a whole new meaning to "Take This and This". Greg has his tenderest emotional moment in this scene and even as I write this I can feel the tear ducts opening. But Greg is more than just a great performer. He is the show's greatest ambassador and meeting him was the highlight of three amazing days in New York that I will never, ever forget.
The wonderful friendly atmosphere outside the theatre after the shows added hugely to the occasion and to all of the cast/crew that we met a big Irish Go raibh míle maith agat (1000 thanks to you). It was an enormous icing on the cake.
Don't get me wrong. I can't wait for next week's Thursday Matinee in London. I greatly missed not being there this week. But here we have two fantastic but different presentations of the same show that leave you not only breathless but wanting more and more. If only Ryanair did Transatlantic I could head over on the early flight from Dublin to New York every Wednesday in time for the matinee, then catch a late night flight back to London in time for Thursday Matinee. Now, there's a greedy thought.
Extra special to meet up with some wonderful fans (you know who you are) showing what a truly international following BETM has.
I am definitely going back to see the US Billy again and I would exhort anyone who can make it to go and, preferably, soon.
Pat