I’m not sure what there is to say now about the close of the Broadway production of Billy Elliot. It’s over. The memories, photographs, videos, and the friendships made cannot be erased, but the theatre is already in full transition mode now, a new show being prepared.
Transition. I guess that’s the angle I was looking for.
Stage Door Before The Show
The afternoon began in celebration mode. Many of us arrived at Stage Door before the show, either to watch for all of the Billy Elliot celebrities to arrive, or just because we knew Thommie Retter would be hanging out there. I got there around 1:30, and as I walked over to Thommie, he gave me a great big hug that lasted forever. This man, once a stranger who I knew only as “the guy who plays Mr. Braithwaite”, has welcomed all of us onto the S.S. Thommie to share in some of the joy he’s experienced on this amazing ride.
We hadn’t planned on it, but the sidewalk outside the Stage Door quickly became a parade route atmosphere. Each celebilly who arrived had the crowds parted for them, and applause and cheering ensued. Artistic team members like Shawn Gough also walked through our Sidewalk of Heroes, and were equally celebrated before the show. Of course when Stephen Daldry or any of the Billys arrived, they received an extra loud cheer. It must have been so nice for each of them to go through their otherwise quiet pre-show stage door routine and be met with such appreciation for how much they have each meant to us all!
Over the weekend, nerves were frazzled, adrenaline was flowing, mixed emotions were clashing in our brains like opposing fronts on the weather map, but the level of joy and excitement was now officially SKY HIGH. A few of us tallied which Billys we knew would be there based on who had been spotted already, and we kept coming up with the number 12. It should be said again that Tanner, Mikey, Dayton, and Myles were all very, very missed!!! We were very, very happy to have 12 Billys in all, but I speak for all fans when I say that I will continue to dream of a reunion some day of all members of the Sweet 16!
Before The Show Began
Inside the Imperial, the atmosphere was electric. I leaned against the row in front of me (I was blessed to have Row C center after choosing far-left and far-right seats for the previous three shows) and looked around the theatre as more and more people found their seats. There’s Greg Jbara, and look, Carole Shelley, Haydn Gwynne, David Bologna, Tessa Netting, Kate Hennig and more. Even though the show would soon start behind me up on stage, it was a lot of fun watching all of the past Billy Elliot cast members fill in and take their seats, catch up with one another, and pose for photographs.
The lights dimmed, people took their seats, and one of my dreams came true right away. I had told friends that I really hoped to see Lee Hall or Peter Darling, not just Stephen Daldry come up on stage. And there he was, the author, the creator himself, Lee Hall, walking up behind Stephen. As a writer, I’ve always had a special appreciation for the god behind all of this magic, the man who hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention and love.
Lee was there at First Preview along with Peter Darling, sitting in the box seats over right orchestra. The band of super fans from the forum, myself included, were in the first three rows of (center) front mezzanine seats. Someone told me during the final show weekend that they were watching us fans in the audience the whole time. I remember waving their way and at least Peter waving back that first day. And now, three years and three months later, here was Lee up there in front of me with Stephen, telling us how this ceased to be his story and has now become the world’s story, a story that belongs to all of us. I highly recommend you watch the full speeches, which have now been posted on YouTube.
TRANSITIONS
All weekend long, we talked about what the final show would be like. Rumors started the week before about all 4 Billys performing the role together throughout the show, and they quickly went from rumor to confirmed as we approached Sunday. Veteran Billy fans told us about how this had been done at the First Anniversary show in London, but a bit differently, as 2 of the original 3 boys there were already out of the show at that point. We were about to find out exactly how they would accomplish this.
Someone who was unable to be there (but with us in spirit) asked me, “The Billy rotating wasn’t too weird?” A completely logical question. My answer then, as it’ll be for years to come, was that it was absolutely inspired and so beautiful.
I could not give a perfect play by play if asked, not only because of a bad memory, but because at times you’d really have needed to write it down to keep track. Thankfully though, two of our Forum members provided a very helpful play-by-play. Cheers to CJ-Rochester and atreyu for their help! So here again are the notable transitions with some personal reflections.
ACT 1
Billy: Tade Biesenger, Julian Elia, Joseph Harrington, and Peter Mazurowski
Michael: Jack Broderick
Small Boy: Zachary Maitlin
The Stars Look Down, Kitchen, Boxing, Shine - Tade
As the show began, Tade is brought in by Dad, and is welcomed warmly with entrance applause as we all learned which Billy would have the honor of starting the show. When Tall Boy is revealed to be Peter, he gets applause as well. Jack Broderick plays Michael for all of Act 1. Zach plays Small Boy for Act 1 while Alex Drier is in front right orchestra with his family for the first half of the show. At the end of Shine, there was a rousing standing ovation for the ballet girls and Emily, as a sign of appreciation for their signature number.
Shadow Dance, Grandma’s Song, Ballet Class – Tade, Julian, and Joseph
Up until this point, we had not seen any transitions yet. Debbie tells Tade that he looks like a d***head, the lights go out and suddenly Julian is there next to Tade! And together they move as one in that beautiful Shadow Dance! Major goose bumps! I gasped when I saw it, and the tears began flowing. Absolutely stunning, breathtaking theatre!
Julian was then on for the scene with Grandma, and he escorts her off stage at the end of the number. It would seem like an easy place to switch off the Billys again, since he’s now completely off stage for a minute or two as the policemen climb the stage. But “easy” wasn’t the goal. No, the next transition would be as brilliant as the first. I watched as Julian played the ballet scene through, and I laughed as Mrs. Wilkinson called out, “Try not to kill yourself, Tracey Atkinson!” And then as I was still laughing, she follows up with, “Oi! Baryshnikov!” People started applauding too early—or so I thought. A surprise! I didn’t even know why they were clapping, the transition was so quick and surprising. There in Mrs. Wilkinson’s face was Joseph Harrington! He had switched off with Julian so quickly I hadn’t even noticed!
Solidarity – Joseph, Tade, Peter, and Julian
Joseph is now on for Solidarity, that most brilliant of stage numbers. But as he’s about to finish the number triumphantly, something INCREDIBLE happens. Appearing quickly from behind him are ALL THREE of the other Billys! I've never gotten so emotional so fast as I realized they’d be finishing the number together. I was sobbing in my seat watching such a beautiful exhibition of theatrical magic! When they all finished, the eruption from the audience was HUMONGOUS!!! And it went on forever. When Daniel Jenkins (Dad) emerged, and we took our seats again, he looked around at his son x 4 and exclaimed, "What the F***ING hell is going on here????!!!!" which had us all laughing hysterically. Julian and Peter ran off right away in either direction and the last two, Joseph and Tade, did a quick rock, paper, scissors to decide who would stay on stage and deal with Dad. Tade won, gave a little celebratory exclamation, and ran off, while Joseph looked upset he had to stay. Hysterical!!!
“Now I’m Banned” And Express – Joseph and Tade
Joseph retreats to the bathroom, and finishes the scene with Mrs. Wilkinson (“Now I’m banned!”). Upon Joseph pushing the bathroom stalls off, though, Tade joins him and calls Michael. This was another cool example of the creative team not cheating us with an easy switch, but instead taking advantage of a charming scene and making it even more charming. It just made you smile big to see them both standing there. And they would look at each other in these moments and smile; this was no trick, it was a charming, beautiful transition each and every time. Tade and Jack performed Express together and were both awesome. Another standing ovation.
Tony And The Crowbar – Tade and Joseph
The next scene is the kitchen confrontation between Tony and Dad, who are staring each other down. Tade first walked out to the area where Dead Mum arrives through, but then Joseph appeared a moment later and is the Billy who watches the fight from behind the stove. Joseph calls out, but Tade stays too, looking tense. When Dad goes to leave, Tade heads off ahead of him, and Joseph screams and runs up to his bedroom.
The Letter, Born To Boogie – Joseph and Julian
Joseph performs The Letter and Born To Boogie. He loves this number, apparently, so I’m happy he got to do it, but I couldn’t help having in mind that he doesn’t do the flip off of the piano. None of them do, only Julian, who was used to doing it in the Toronto production. They all do wonderful bits at this point though, so I wasn’t concerned in the least. At the very end of the number, Joseph runs behind the piano to change his shoes, but out of no where it’s Julian’s head who pops up from behind the piano! He steps up on Mr. Braithwaite’s piano seat and then on top of the piano, and finishes the number with the flip off the top! Awesome!
From my Row C center seat, I noticed Joseph crouching down behind the piano on his hands and knees, a huge smile on his face as Julian completed the scene.
Hoo Hoo – Julian and Peter
Someone is in the left bathroom stall and wearing red sweatpants and black shoes. But who will it be? It’s not even very clear when he speaks. Debbie asks him, “Billy! Do you not………fancy me?” As he emerges from the stall, we see that it’s still Julian, but then he’s joined by Peter! And no quick transition here! Julian and Peter were BOTH asked if they’d like to see her hoo hoo. It’s just so funny to watch them both standing there together considering it, then looking at each other to decide what they should do. Absolutely hilarious! Julian then looks at Peter and nudges him to respond. “Nahhh, it’s okay.” Such an awesome moment, and you really have to give it to these three (Lilla, Julian, and Peter). We were all laughing SO MUCH, and they never broke character! Fantastic!!!
Angry Dance – Peter Mazurowski
Peter goes through the next scene and performs Angry Dance. The audience stands as one and applauds and cheers loudly as he walks off.
Tons of conversations began immediately all over the theatre, and if the energy was electric at the start, it was visibly sparking all over the place in midair by Intermission.
ACT 2
Billy: Tade Biesenger, Julian Elia, Joseph Harrington, and Peter Mazurowski
Michael: Cameron Clifford
Small Boy: Alex Dreier
Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher - Joseph
Joseph is on as Billy for Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher, and much of the audience joyfully joins in with the song too!
A Bloody Great Christmas This Has Been, Dream Ballet – Joseph and Julian
Joseph seems to be continuing as lead and even begins spinning the chair. No way to stop him now. Wrong! In another piece of absolute artistic GENIUS, instead of just Stephen Hanna as Older Billy emerging from the back, Julian arrives too! He walks up to Joseph and without missing a beat, continues spinning the same chair, as Joseph lets go! It was incredible!!! Theatrical magic was a constant throughout this final, glorious show, and it was absolutely INSPIRED every time!
Dad Crosses The Picket Line - Julian
As Dad and Tony begin fighting, Billy runs out to stop them. He seems to have dark hair, but he’s thrown on the ground so quickly, a lot of us didn’t know who he was. Was it Julian or Peter? Big Davey leans in to check on him, and as he sits up, we see it’s Julian. He finishes the scene and Dad and Billy walk forward to the front of the stage to magically arrive at The Royal Ballet School.
The Royal Ballet School, Electricity – Peter
But the magic of theatre has triumphed again, because it’s no longer Julian with Dad. As the lights come on, we see Peter now standing there next to him! AWESOME! And just like he did at the end of Solidarity, Dad does a double take to see a different boy now standing at his side. So great!
Posh Boy at this point was played by Joseph, which I make mention of for good reason. In Act 1, Joseph lost out and had to deal with Dad’s rage and physical roughness. Now in an awful bit of bad luck, he has to get punched in the face by Billy! Talk about having a bad day!
Peter performs an awesome “Electricity”, closing with another very long standing ovation.
Soup Kitchen - Julian
Julian walks across the stage as Billy, and participates in the brief Soup Kitchen scene with Michael, Leslie, and George.
William Elliot Is Queer – Joseph and Tade
Joseph walks in for the “William Elliot Is Queer” scene and continues on until Grandma tells him they’ve rented his room out. “Not funny, Grandma!” And now Tade arrives at stage center to take over for the next scene. They look at the letter together briefly before Joseph hands it off to Tade, who then walks over to audience right to pack it away in his bag.
Goodbye To Mrs. W., Once We Were Kings, Letter Reprise – Tade and Peter
Tade is there to say goodbye to Mrs. Wilkinson. Debbie squeezes in a quick hug to Billy from behind before she exits. As the scene transitions and the suitcase is opened for re-packing, Peter appears from the rear of the stage and walks over to Tade. They smile at one another, and Tade takes his Billy bag from around his neck and puts it over Peter to transition. Peter then puts the bag in the suitcase and continues packing.
Peter is now Billy for the goodbye to Dad, Tony, and Mum. In the Letter Reprise, Peter is crying very real tears—and a lot of them—but is able to keep singing throughout. Mum walks over, pauses, but leans in and lovingly wipes some tears from Peter’s face. After she walks away, and once Peter is ready to move on, he walks to the edge of the stage and climbs down into the aisle.
Final Goodbye – Peter, Julian, Tade, and Joseph
Peter is walking up the aisle with the suitcase. Cameron comes riding out on his bicycle and calls out, "Oi, dancin' boy!" Peter pauses and smiles, but instead of just climbing back on stage, he turns to look to the back of the theatre. “Oi,” he whispers to the darkness. And there, one by one appearing from the back of the theatre are all of the other 3 Billys coming to join him! ALL FOUR Billys walked up and took places to the left and right of Michael on his bike, and then each one leaned in and kissed him softly on one cheek or the other in turn, before climbing back down to exit the stage. The theatre was overwhelmed with tears, laughter, applause, and cheers, but over the din, Peter said, “See ya Cameron,” and Cameron called out, "See ya Peter! See ya Tade! See ya Julian! See ya Joseph!" It was an extremely touching, beautiful, and absolutely INSPIRED moment!
TRANSITIONS
At the last show, the Billys transitioned beautifully throughout in absolutely inspired ways. The Imperial Theatre is now in transition as Nice Work If You Can Get It comes in. And indeed the cast, crew, and fans are now all in transition mode too. We have experienced an ending. A sad one, yes, but also a glorious and triumphant one. Those of us blessed to be in that building that day will remember it for the rest of our lives.
For those who are able to see it, I cannot recommend the Tour highly enough. It’s the same brilliant show with a minimum amount of edits. And as we’ve learned time and time again on Broadway, the changes can often be very fun and hilarious, especially when the show you know so well surprises you even after multiple viewings. And God bless the London production at the Mother Church in England! For those who are able to make the Holy Pilgrimage there, you will feel like you’re coming home, because you are.
We transition all the time in life, and like the Billys did in the final show, we now transition to a new reality, a Broadway without Billy. He’s off to the Royal Ballet School now, and a Dream Ballet awaits him in the future. We transition like Billy from scene to scene in life, and some won’t be as smooth as they were in the last show. Some may even force us into an Angry Dance. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Billy Elliot, it’s that a bright future following our dreams is worth fighting for. No matter what obstacles we face, we can triumph, we can succeed, we can fly!
Billy WILL return to Broadway one day, and I plan to be there for First Preview once he’s back. This is not a Swan Song. It’s only Intermission!
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Sean Patrick Brennan
January 26, 2012