Billy Elliot the Forum

angelenroute wrote:I started my copy this weekend and am really enjoying it too. Very well written and is it just me or do you feel like Billy is still playing at The Imperial when he talks about things there? Really cool feeling!

Yes! This is exactly how I felt while reading it! As if I were to travel up to Manhattan today, I'd see the Imperial just as it was when BE was playing.

Alex tweets that he will be doing a book signing at Barnes and Noble tomorrow and says Stephen Daldry will be present at the signing as well. A great opportunity to stop in and see both of them:

"My NYC book event is tomorrow at 5:30 at Barnes & Noble UWS @ 82 & Bway!! Stephen will be there too! So come say hi if you have time!"

https://twitter.com/n_alexko

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/1979

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Alex-K ... 9-20130508

Alex is interviewed in this article on the Asian in NY blog:

http://blog.asianinny.com/exclusive-int ... ay-musical

TODAY at 5:30 PM in NYC, Alex Ko (Billy Elliot) will be discussing and autographing his new autobiography at the Barnes & Noble at 82nd and Broadway. Tony Award-winning Director Stephen Daldry (heard of him perhaps?) and actress Ally Sheedy will also be on hand. (But knowing Alex and his many show-biz contacts, don't be surprised if other celebrities are there too!) DON'T miss it!!!

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/79861#

Broadway World has photos from Alex's book signing last night in New York:

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo- ... g-20130510

In addition to Alex and Stephen, other BETM alumni present at the session were Joseph Harrington and Kate Dunn, whose pictures are included in the set.

It was a bit of a calculated gamble waiting a full week before reading Alex’s autobiography. I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down, so to avoid staying up til 3AM and be all tired through a workday, I targeted my 3-hour flight this evening. But I had about 25 pages to go when my flight was on final approach. It simply isn’t acceptable to stop there. A real good thing that 20 of those pages are pictures and I could finish up as we were landing.

What a book. If you don’t have your copy yet, what are you waiting for? A positive return on the investment of time and effort.

From reading forum and web articles about Alex’s experiences growing up, losing his dad, getting injured after only 3 shows, etc, I felt lucky/blessed to have gotten to see him on Broadway a handful of times. Now finding out a whole lot more details and additional obstacles that he and his family had to overcome behind the scenes, that appreciation is a hundred times greater. Alex's story is as compelling as Billy Elliot except this is a non-fictional character. Well worth celebrating the triumph over adversity when the opportunity to give in to defeat was there so many times.

At the same time, though, there also is a less enjoyable effect. After reading all about what this kid has accomplished and contributed, making the most of his talents and opportunities, that person looking back in the mirror really needs to do a better job of this too.

I'm only 6 or 7 chapters in so far. I read a chapter or two a night, but of course the more I read, the more I want to read. Have to say already though how extremely impressed I am by his writing!!! He is MEGA talented, and still a teenager!!! Soooo jealous! Yes, he's got an editor and proofreader at his publishing company, but great writing's an innate ability, and he's got it!!! At least three times already I've found myself shaking my head as I put the book down, so blown away at what he's done with his charming style of storytelling.

This is no kids' book. It's filled with all the guts and glory, tears and smiles you'd expect from a great novel. Whether you're a one- or two-time Billy fan, or have seen the show hundreds of times, you will love, love, LOVE this book!

Sean

I totally agree with Sean's comments. I recently finished the book and was so impressed by the maturity of the writing style and Alex's ability to relate his story in such an interesting fashion.

Kudos to Alex! If you don't want to be a performer or a surgeon, there's definitely a future in writing for you for sure!

Just finished the book. For someone that young to write so brilliantly is outstanding. I enjoyed hearing his story. He is clearly a determined young man. Way to go Alex!

It is PURE JOY re-watching this video while I continue to read Alex's amazing new book!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfY5B5wb ... tube_gdata

Sean