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Billy Elliot Musical Reviews
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| 31 |
Possibly The Best Musical Ever on Broadway Review by: Connor, Apr 11, 2011 |
| I've seen the show seven times (including once in London) and it is absolutely amazing. And no, in answer to another poster, those of us who like the show are not on drugs. That's insulting. As a matter of fact, I cannot understand why anyone would NOT like this show. The message is uplifting, the dancing incredible, the music memorable and moving, and the production amazingly creative. And I find it interesting ... read more that someone who complains about the language in the show (which is minimal) titles her review "WTF?". |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Anyone
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| 32 |
great show!!!!! Review by: , Apr 8, 2011 |
| This is a FABULOUS show!!! I have seen it twice (once with one of the original Billys and one with a new Billy) and I have loved it both times. Peter Mazurowski is an excellent Billy and a wonderful tap dancer! would NOT recommend it for young children (I would say ages 11 and up). there is alot of strong language. I would recommend this to anyone who has a dream and wishes to fulfill it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 33 |
WTF??? Review by: Krissi700, Apr 5, 2011 |
| Do not see this show - and if you do - don't bring children!!!! This show was beyond disappointing. My family & I got tickets to Billy Elliot in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary and we were so excited and had such high hopes to see it because of the 10 Tony Awards it has won and the incredible praise it has received. My sister & I also grew up as ballerinas, so that made our excitement all the more real. I now have ... read more to seriously wonder - are these people who praised this production on drugs??? The story line doesn't flow or make any sense, the music is BLAH and unmemorable, the dancing is on the level of a school play and the foul language and sexual references coming out of the mouths of the children in the show is bottom line - disgraceful. (IE: constant F-bombs and an 8 year old girl offering to show Billy her "hoo-ha") What a waste of time & money. We ended up leaving at intermission because we were so disgusted and disappointed and didn't want to waste another hour of our lives. I don't want to take away from the fact that there are talented children in this show - however, there is a serious lack of taste here and unfortunately this tainted the entire performance. I have been to many Broadway shows in my time and this is beyond the worst I have ever attended. Can someone tell me - did we get punked?? |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 34 |
A great show, don't listen to the bad reviews. Review by: Sunshinelovesshows, Mar 30, 2011 |
| I must have gone on a different night than the bad reviews. My husband surprised me with tickets to Billy Elliot and having seen the movie, I wasn't excited. BUT WOW! It was fabulous. The kid who played Billy the night I went was AMAZING! I mean AMAZING! Yes, I would agree that this is not necessarily child friendly as there is plenty vulgar language, but the acting was brilliant and the story line was wonderful. It followed the movie, but ... read more BETTER! I LOVED LOVED LOVED it! I would definitely recommend it to people. I suppose the kid who plays Billy has a big impact on the experience. Unfortunately, I don't think you know who is playing Billy until that night. Not sure, but I loved this musical and hope to see it again some day! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults, Anyone
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| 35 |
Review by: Boppo, Feb 22, 2011 |
| I have been to many Broadway shows and this was BY FAR- the WORST!! Not a single memeorable tune. Blahh acting. The lead dancer (Billy) was supposed to be a ballet dancer yet was incapable of dancing on pointe!! The langauge was vulgar and offfensive throughout- with 10 and 11 year olds throwing f-bombs and one little 10 yr old girl offering to expose herself to Billy!!! And the crossdressing singing mannequin number??!! Give me a break. I hated ... read more this show and would have walked out if I wasn't with my family. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 36 |
Must be viewed in context Review by: jalder, Feb 13, 2011 |
An amazing show but it has to be understood that the story is as much about the oppression of the working class as it is about dancing, the lack of big show tunes is due to the story being told. The context in which the show is set has to be understood, although the story it's self is fiction the setting was real. This was Northern England and the Durham Coalfield in 1984 the language that many previous reviews criticise is part and parcel ... read more of life in working class England and isn't added for dramatic effect. A previous review called the Maggie Thatcher scene distasteful but it has to be understood that at the time this was the feeling from this part of the world to Mrs Thatcher.
It is emotional and uplifting but the context in which it is set has to be appreciated. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
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| 37 |
Blech Review by: BB, Feb 8, 2011 |
Big disappointment...hard to understand the speaking lines. What was up with the cross dressing number?? So lame.
No memorable music, no tunes that stay with you and the acting was quite blah. Nothing to recommend and was glad when it was finally over. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 38 |
I love this show. Review by: Caesar, Feb 2, 2011 |
| I've seen this show several times throughout the years. As of Feb. 2, 2011, I have seen 3 out of the 4 current "Billy's" in rotation and they are ALL fantastic. I'm not sure how they found kids who could play the role even BETTER then the original boys but they did. If the only reason you go is to see the talent in the lead actors it's worth your time and money. Of course, you will also see Gregory Jabara and Emily Skinner give outstanding ... read more performances as well. Seriously, this show has so much heart and soul, not to mention outstanding choreagrophy. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Tourists
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| 39 |
A Must-See Spectacular Review by: BILLY!, Jan 30, 2011 |
While certainly not Broadway experts, we've probably seen at least 20 or so shows in our lives, though not as many recently. Billy Elliot might have been what draws us back. The story is amazing, the message endearing, the set/costumes great, the music beautiful, and the dancing phenomenal. As mentioned, the Billy's rotate since they're so young. Jacob Clemente was "our Billy" and he was incredible. The entire cast was very talented and ... read more it was very interesting. It's a long show but I didn't look at my watch once - very unusual for me as I sometimes get lost toward the beginning of the first act - but not at this show.
There are few shows that pull at your heart strings, make you burst out loud in laughter, and grab the person next to you out of love, but Billy Elliot manages to achieve all of these things. Personally, I think it's the best on Broadway I've EVER seen. The only thing I can see against the show is the score wasn't catchy - these aren't the kind of show tunes that'll be stuck in your head for weeks on end, but that's not really the point - so know that going in.
Words of caution: We went with our 3 sons, aged 11 - 17. The language was certainly crude, but that was expected and we had no concerns, but I know of other parents with children the same age who might take offense. There are also many veiled and overt sexual references, again not a problem for us, but others may feel uncomfortable. Finally, my youngest son struggled with the accent/culture a little bit, but he was able to follow, so I think most would be able to. Besides, isn't that what Broadway's about?
Run -- don't walk -- to Billy Elliot! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 40 |
Jaw dropper..must see!! Review by: kay, Jan 29, 2011 |
| This is definitely a must see for the whole family!! It has an interesting story and a great moral. The dancing is absolutely AMAZING! My jaw was dropped the whole time it was so beautiful and absolutely perfect. Billy Elliot is amazing!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 41 |
Mediocre dancing! Review by: LASR, Jan 18, 2011 |
| Disappointed in the caliber od dancing from Billy. We saw the evening show on Sun Jan 16. Had expected a more talented "Blly". I guess it depends on who plays Billy. There are four potential Billys. We saw a performance with Joseh Harrington as Billy. Neil McCaffrey, who played Michael, outshined Billy. Overall, the show is good; mediocre dancing from Harrington. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 42 |
Icredible Everything Review by: Billyboy, Jan 10, 2011 |
| I'm not sure how someone could think that the musical numbers in this show did nothing to develop the characters or move the plot forward. The point of almost all of the numbers is that everyone in the town had some creative outlet or dream to escape the hard realities of life. For grandma, it was the time she was able to lose herself in dancing with her husband (who otherwise was a jerk); for Michael, ... read more it was his individuality and being himself--and yes, if that takes the form of dressing up in women's clothes, so be it. And the scene with the young Billy and older Billy? Well, that's pretty much the crux of the show right there. This is Billy's dream, and what he wants to be when he gets older. Even the Christmas scene with the Maggie Thatcher puppets shows that the townspeople will sing and dance to escape life, even if only for a night. So Billy in wanting to dance is not so different from anyone else in the town, even though they may think he is. I'd say this is pretty darned good character development, and the music is unforgettable. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 43 |
Very disappointing. Review by: SillyMimi, Jan 10, 2011 |
| I was disappointed in the show. I wondered about all the slapstick while I was watching it. I read later that it is a different version from the one presented in London. I guess Brits think we like slapstick. I noticed, though, that the audience was laughing at it. I wish I had read more thoughtful reviews instead of the effusive ones I read. The male lead was excellent, thank God! He saved the show from mediocrity. What was the piano players' ... read more break dancing routine about anyway? I guess it was just another thing we uncultured Americans like. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 44 |
Billy Elliot- Great dancing, mediocre show overall Review by: Aine2011, Jan 9, 2011 |
| This show was a dance recital with some skimpy plot wrapped around it. The dancing was AWESOME. The songs were forgettable and one could see that the the show had been padded with music and dancing that did nothing to move the plot forward or develop the characters (i.e. the grandmother's number, the dancing dresses, the huge puppet of Maggie Thatcher, the flying dance with older Billy etc. etc.) From what I had heard I thought the ... read more show would tug at my heartstrings, instead it kinda left me flat. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
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One of the better shows around! Highly recommend it! Review by: Mike, Jan 9, 2011 |
| I have seen Billy Elliot on Broadway twice now and will see it again if I have a chance! The kids are extremely talented performers and the story is good as well. Each time I leave the show having gone through a large amount of emotions. It is extremely touching and hits on a large number of touchy subjects, just like the movie. The negative comments below about the subject matter is interesting. I wonder if they saw the movie or ... read more read the language warning prior to buying the tickets!?!? The language, sexual subjects, etc are all seen in the movie and are pertanent to the story line. The event is true to life. The Thatcher/Coal Miners situation was a bad time in Modern British History. Is this a show for little kids? No, probably not, but that is why, as a parent, you need to do your due diligence prior to buying a ticket. Many boradway shows are not appropriate for little kids! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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