i am in the states this week, and amongst my collection of ny theatre i have just seen the last preview of billy on broadway - it is going to be massive. there is such a buzz - it is a much tighter show than in london and all of the changes worked well - some of them subtle changes and i guess having seen the show in london several times is the only reason that i noticed them. the accents (especially billy's) wobbled several times, but this will settle, and as the lady next to me said - who is going to realise!
there are several bits which have been staged differently - most notably the scene where his dad breaks the strike, and also the interview at the royal ballet school. you no longer see the panel, they have staged it so it looks like the audience are behind the stage looking out in the opera house onto the auditorium
the dancer who is playing the older billy is stunning. he has muscles on muscles on muscles on muscles in places you didnt know possible
haydn gwynne has obviously had some vocal coaching as her singing voice is much stronger than in london. gregory jbara is excellent as dad, and carolle shelley (original mme morrible in wicked) was great as grandma
the kids where all great. the equity rules for kids must be different here - they have three billy's (four if you include the listed understudy), two michael's, one debbie and one cast of ballet girls - this means that they will be doing eight shows a week!!
some of the humour (e.g. 'you look like a spastic starfish girl' and 'i dont care if your mother has got cerebral palsy keely gibson') seemed totally wasted on the americans, and they were shocked by some of the language - especially from the kids
i am sure this will run and run and run. it will be a strong contender for the awards next year, and i would have thought that the billys and peter darling would win the male dancer and the choreographer at the astaire awards without any problems
there was screeming from some silly girlies in the dress circle this evening, because they spotted that kristen chenoweth was in. she was so small it took some spotting to see her!!!
well done to all involved for making this very british product work on broadway - i am sure it will make a packet as well with the top price seats on a weekend coming in at $136 or about £83