Billy Elliot: Inspirational musical comes at the right time
The New York Post said, ‘The best show you will ever see.'”
Time wrote, “A triumph, the number one show of the year.”
The show is Billy Elliot, the musical, based on the popular 2000 film received three Oscar nominations and 10 Tony awards, including one for Best Musical.
The inspirational show is an uplifting musical about courage and embracing life that has captured audiences worldwide. The musical from Lee Hall and Elton John has a two-week holiday run from Dec. 8 to 30, at the Hippodrome Theatre of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore.
The New York Post called Elton John’s music “his best score yet” and renowned Peter Darling’s choreography will be have you talking about this show as you walk back to your car. After the nation suffered through last week’s horrific shooting, this show is uplifting as inspirational – something we so desperately need at this time.
The show revolves around Billy Elliot, who dreams becoming a ballet dancer – a passion he discovered within himself after a boxing training session. His family not too pleased with his aspirations, nevertheless Billy’s love for ballet grew stronger. His courage and perseverance inspires the Northern England community to stay stronger and fight harder for their lives and livelihood after the 1984 coal miners’ strike nearly devastated the town.
Film director Stephen Daldrey said, ‘What appealed to me most about doing the show was to have the opportunity to delve into the miners strike.’
He did indeed, even to the point of having Margaret Thatcher ridiculed.
But the music and dance makes this show such a big hit, especially the performance of young Billy. (I saw 13-year-old Noah Parets) and I can see why the role is so demanding, because the character is in just about every scene. And it’s quite a popular role as well with more than 2,500 children auditioned for that part in this country alone.
The story follows the strike, its eventual conclusion and Billy’s journey through dance lessons and his big Royal Ballet audition. In short, this is the perfect show to see when taking a break from shopping or just to go see a very good piece of theatre.
Show times are at 8 p.m. from Tuesdays to Saturdays and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays. The performance running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes with 1 intermission.
For more information click here. Or call 410-547-SEAT.
Eddie Applefeld is a Baltimore native and a graduate of Towson University. He has been in the broadcasting profession for over 30 years. Currently he is the Promotions Director of WCBM radio. Before that, he was part of the Rouse & Company show on WQSR, host of a cable TV show called Dining Out and adjunct instructor at Towson.
His past accomplishments include being named a finalist in Baltimore Tourism’s Employee of the Year Program and winner of Toastmaster’s Speaker of the Year contest. He was also twice a heartthrob for the American Heart Association’s gala fund raiser.