Arlington Reviews

[CJ-Rochester]

The first review for BILLY ELLIOT at Signature Theatre is from the DCist:

A Charming ‘Billy Elliot’ At Signature Theatre Is Light On Its Feet
https://dcist.com/story/18/11/07/a-char ... CWRNDcNb9Q

[andrewcraig]

https://dctheatrescene.com/2018/11/07/r ... e-theatre/

A country divided, tensions running high. That was Tuesday evening in America on midterm election night. It was also mid-1980s England in Signature Theatre’s production of Billy Elliot.

[porschesrule]

The Washington Post adds its mostly positive review of the Arlington production of BETM:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertai ... 38e55c5858

[kport]

Quite a glowing article:

https://www.womanaroundtown.com/section ... old-dream/

[porschesrule]

Thank you kport for bringing the above review (https://www.womanaroundtown.com/section ... old-dream/) to our attention. I enjoyed the read. For the most part, I believe the writer "hit the nail on the head". One thing she got wrong, though, is that while Owen Tabaka is a newcomer to the role of Billy, Liam Redford is not, having starred as Billy for 11 performances in last year's Williamstown, NJ production of the show. That, of course, takes nothing away from Liam's excellent portrayal of the role.

I've written her with regard to making that correction in her otherwise sterling review of the Signature Theatre show. She's since written back, thanking me for pointing that out to her and has corrected the wording in her review.

[porschesrule]

Another very nice review of the Signature Theatre production of BETM -- this one from Theatermania:

https://www.theatermania.com/washington ... 87003.html

[andrewcraig]

https://thezebra.org/2018/11/10/signatu ... -a-winner/

[porschesrule]

And still another excellent review for the Signature show:

https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2018/11/ ... 8K6xUUI2kc

[atreyu]

Having visited Arlington this past weekend (and meeting a couple other forum members), I would describe the Signature Theatre's production of BETM as a fine re-imagining of the Daldry/Hall/Darling classic. Although the stage is small and has characteristics of in-the-round presentations - including performers occasionally blocking sight lines - there is also an intimacy that is not found with a standard proscenium stage. It is an overwhelming challenge to describe the differences from Broadway/London/Tour and so I will not attempt to do so and instead encourage any and all BETM fans to see it for themselves. It is a top notch production in just about every facet from excellent acting, lighting, sound, set design, staging including flying and choreography.

A couple qualfications about the last aspect though. The dancing necessarily is not as complicated or challenging as other productions since the normal schedule has the Billys regularly doing two shows a day on weekends. That plus the small stage limits how much a talented Billy can show off his skills. However, I appreciated how the company was more involved in several numbers as complements to Billy, accentuating the star in the center. There was just one place where I thought these changes crossed a line, when the company joins Billy in a pirouette in Solidarity with Tony positioned right behind Billy. Just seems completely out of character for Tony to participate in that.

One more little thing was not having Older Billy in an identical costume as Billy in Dream Ballet. That is a key clue to what is going on.

But when those constitute the "issues" with the show, there is a whole lot of good things going on with this production. (In full disclosure, I do have one more significant gripe, but one that is for another venue.)

Undoubtedly what I found to be the best part of the show as is the case many times with BETM was discovering a highly talented Billy. Liam is one truly gifted dancer. His performance is characterized by graceful arcs and flair. Even if it isn't "Fully formed, leapt from the brow of Zeus", there is a polished aspect to his presentation.

In addition, Liam conveys emotion exceptionally well, radiating each heartache and every one of the joys of Billy's journey. His is an innocent Billy, forced to deal with the consequences around him, compelling the audience to be on his side through the travails. Bottom line, it is most unfortunate there isn't still a Broadway or West End or National Tour around where Liam would have excelled and gotten to show a lot more of the world his particular Billy story.

One more highlight is the fine Angry Dance that runs a nice balance between the miner/police conflict and featuring Billy expressing his anger. Owen makes his his tap mentor (Thommie Retter) proud in this number.

There are many candidates for a title of "Best Regional BETM" and while I am not going to presume to stake a claim for the Signature production, rest assured that efforts made to travel to Arlington and see a new flavor of BETM will be richly rewarded.

[porschesrule]

The Washington Informer adds this Q & A about Signature Theatre's production of BETM:

Note: This article has an audio component as well.

https://washington-informer.com/153983/ ... ild-stars/