Electricity

Billy Elliot

Now that my tears of joy have dried let the cheering begin! This enticing, inspirational and truly impressive celebration of being true to yourself and following your dreams, especially when those aspirations are blocked by family, friends, finances and a  fear of failure, has returned to Chicagoland in a magnificent, Broadway calibre production. The show roars into the Paramount Theatre and brings hope and a feeling that anything one strives to accomplish in life is possible. It’s a musical that’s filled with “Electricity,” like so many of the performances, songs and, choreographed numbers in this production. Once word gets out about how fabulous this production is, Chicagoans will be flocking to the far west suburbs to spend an afternoon or evening with Billy Elliot.

 This beautifully-written, brilliantly-cast and superbly-acted, sung and danced winner of ten 2008 Tony and Drama Desk Awards well deserves the spontaneous standing ovation it received opening night. The audience was cheering and showing their love and admiration for everyone who brought this musical to life in Aurora. For those unfamiliar with the 2000 movie, upon which the musical is based (which, in turn, is based upon A.J. Cronin’s novel, The Stars Look Down), a young, motherless boy living in a small, economically destitute Northern English mining town discovers that he has a real talent and passion for dancing.  Billy’s personal struggle to achieve his dreams and become an artist is balanced against the prejudices of his father and older brother, as hardships caused by a miners’ strike threatens to destroy the entire community. 

Pop song writer, Sir Elton John (“The Lion King,” “Aida”), penned the music and Lee Hall, who also wrote the film’s screenplay, wrote the book and lyrics for this musical. In Paramount’s breathtaking production, the creative team is led by talented artistic producer and casting director, Trent Stork. This clever and empathetic Jeff Award-winning director has guided the entire production. In this, Stork’s 24th show,  Trent has drawn winning, intense and sometimes heartbreaking performances from his gifted 45-member cast (the child actors are all double-cast). Choreographer Isaiah Silva-Chandley (“Kinky Boots,” “School of Rock”) brilliantly infuses “Billy Elliot” with the kind of inventive, inspired moves and dance steps that makes this production sizzle. And musical director Kory Danielson provides his talent and expertise in his 32nd production at Paramount, not only bringing out the best from his his cast, but also conducting and playing in the shows full, rich-sounding pit orchestra.

Billy was played opening night by 12-year-old Neo Del Corral. This gifted young actor/singer/dancer alternates in the title role with the equally talented, Sam Duncan. This multitalented adolescent’s performance is pure, honest, gut-wrenching and guaranteed to move you to tears. Not only is Neo Del Corral a terrific dancer, such that the audience cheered his skill no less than three times during the production; but this boy is an emotionally grounded, sincere young actor for whom you wish only the best. Many moments stand out in this production, such as when disappointment and frustration drive Billy into the manic “Angry Dance;” when the pure joy of self-expression in dance erupts in his number, “Electricity;” When Billy joins his departed Mum, the always superb Jennie Sophia (“Beauty & the Beast”) in a heartbreaking duet entitled “Dear Billy;” or when Billy’s Dad, played by the fabulous Ron E. Rains (“The Sound of Music”), witnesses Billy’s unbelievable talent and finally supports his boy’s dream. Mr. Rains’ moving solo number, “Deep Into the Ground” will simply rip your heart out.  

Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy’s brusque, no-nonsense dance instructor, mentor and champion, is played with honesty and hard-edged passion by lovely Broadway belter and triple-threat, Michelle Aravena. This actress can “Shine” in one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in this role. Together with Dakota Hughes’ hilarious pianist, Mr. Braithwaite, and her troupe of awkward, young ballet students, the show offers a nice balance of humor and pathos. In particular, their ecstatic “Born to Boogie” is one of the hits of this show. 

Veteran Chicago actress, Barbara E. Robertson (“Secret of My Success”) is simply sensational as Billy’s loving, forgetful but offbeat, Nana. Her solo number about her younger days, “Grandma’s Song,” surprises us with the elderly woman’s colorful language and unbelievable dance moves. Broadway performer Spencer Davis Milford (1st National Tour of “Billy Elliot” and Barnaby Tucker in Marriott’s “Hello Dolly”) is terrific as Tony, Billy’s anger-consumed, practical-minded older brother, struggling to help keep the family financially afloat. And pint-sized young professional actor Gabriel Lafazan (Gavroche in the US tour of “Les Miserables”) almost steals the show, providing lots of laughs as Michael, Billy’s best friend. The two boys bring down the house with their flamboyant song-and-dance number, “Expressing Yourself.”

The production features a large, hard-working and multitalented ensemble whose heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears help bring this musical to life. In gorgeous group numbers, such as “The Stars Look Down,” “Solidarity” and a goosebump-producing, “Once We Were Kings,” the company of men, women and child actors fill the theatre with emotion and resonating sound. Kudos to handsome, talented dance captain, Christopher Kelley, who portrays Older Billy in a fantasy number that allows young Billy to soar through the air. In addition, a grandiose scenic design by Michelle Lilly fills the enormous Paramount stage with its realistically rustic, multilevel mine setting. It’s simply spectacular, especially as lit by Greg Hofmann and with projections by the talented Mike Tutaj. And Izumi Inaba’s authentic period costumes, as always, are the icing on the cake. 

The magnificent musicals and plays produced by Jim Corti’s extraordinary Paramount Theatre are always West End and Broadway quality. This glorious show is no exception. It’s a musical that generates its own “Electricity” by all the creatives involved in the production. Be ready to cheer until you’re hoarse and clap until your hands turn red. But also bring plenty of tissues with you because I guarantee you may shed a few tears as Billy Elliot dances into your heart. This British-based musical story is filled with meaningful, universal truths and is a show not to be missed, especially if you’ve ever nurtured a dream to bust loose, create art or to simply be true to who you are.

HighlyRecommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 7-March 24 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount Theatre box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.