June 2009 Reviews - NYC

[NIKKIE-NIKKIE]

KEEP THE GREAT REVIEWS COMING GUYS.

[StevenKing]

Is anyone going this month? Not much happening i hear...

Steven

[NIKKIE-NIKKIE]

Yeh will be a quiet month, with Tony's and a few of the forum members from the UK coming over

[StevenKing]

Yeh will be a quiet month, with Tony's and a few of the forum members from the UK coming over

WHAT!! Id better get on my way then...see you all there!!

Steven

[Billy Whiz]

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Billy: Trent
Michael: David B
Tall Boy: Keeane
Small Boy: Matthew
Mrs W: Jayne Patterson

Well it's been 8 months since I last saw the show in NY and I cannot believe the transformation. The show now is every bit as good as the London version with one exception but I'll come to that later.

It was great to see Trent on the stage again as, unfortunately, he never performed the first week of previews. He hasn't changed much apart from his height. Boy has he grown. His singing, acting and dancing are still all first rate though and Trent's Angry Dance is second to none. At the stage door Trent spent a long time with people wanting autographs and photos. They must be exhausted after the show but are happy to give a little time back to the fans which I'm sure is appreciated.

I was sat next to a lady who was a dance teacher who specialised in tap. She had never seen the show before and afterwards all she could say was "WOW, oh my god, WOW". I think we have another fan. She said she is going to tell all her friends that they MUST see it.

David Bologna - what can I say. This young man is a true natural and I'm sure will go on to greater things - if there is such a thing after BETM. At the stage door it is fantastic to watch him chat to the fans. He talks away as it he has been doing this for years. People ask for an autograph and he gets his pen out. He's not taking any chances that the fans don't have one.

Greg is a wonderful dad. His acting and singing are second to none. He is a loud dad but I suppose when you think about it dad does shout most of the way through the show. Greg also shows great tenderness when necessary. If Greg or David B wins the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical then it is thoroughly deserved but I wouldn't like to be the one making the decision.

It was the first time seeing Jayne Paterson as Mrs Wilkinson. She was excellent and if she takes over from Haynn later this year then she will fill her shoes admirably. Well done.

I actually enjoyed Born to Boogie a little more this time. I think it helped that they got through the skipping routine without a slip. I was told that that is the second night on the run that that has happened and is something of a recond. The success rate is not high.

Now to Angry Dance. I'm sorry but I still HATE it and that is all I have to say on the matter.

By the end of the show I was exhausted. I had been up for nearly 20 hours and just wanted to get to bed. I couldn't resist a little time at the stage door though. When Greg came out he recognised me after 8 months. How on earth do you do that. This man is the most approachable, friendly person you could ever hope to meet. He told me, tongue in cheek, that he is campaigning to get Tanner to stay in New York. I told him that if he was successful he better take cover as there will be a contract out on him from the UK fans. He had nothing but praise for Tanner and loved his portrayal of Billy.


Trent at the stage door with Dorothy Medico - his proud dance teacher

[theluji]

Thanks for the great review and photo Billy Whiz.

I really wish I could been in New York this week...just waiting for more reviews.

Hope you will enjoy a special week with friends !

[phoebe]

Many thanks, BillyWhiz, for the well-written review. I ditto all of your (and the tap teacher's) comments about Trent. When I saw him last at the stage door, he was exactly at my eye level, and I'm 5'3". All original Broadway Billys are now taller, but also stronger and more confident performers. As for David B, I've already written in this Forum a few times that he was simply born for Broadway.

The first time I saw the show, Jayne Paterson played Mrs. Wilkinson, and I thought she was first-rate. When she first sees that Billy's got serious ballet potential, JP seems blind-sided with the realization, without over-doing it. In the "I deeply care/I don't give a s--t" dichotomy of the character, JP tilts a little more on the "care" side; she plays Mrs.W slightly warmer than HG does, and it works well for me.

Re: the Angry dance. I'd very much like to hear more about why you "HATE it." Briefly, I'll say that I am mixed about it. I LOVE the way it starts, with Billy agonizing in his bedroom. The tapping works very well there. (If anyone wants to know how realistic that scene is, read my post "Life Imitates Art.") Once the dance moves to the police confrontation, I still love the idea, and the use of the shields, but I feel the choreography needs to build to more of a crescendo when it repeats. Don't get me wrong, the boys do a great job with what they're given (how do they throw themselves on the floor over and over without geting hurt?), but the whole piece has never quite worked completely for me, either. However, I am nonetheless moved by the final fall and shout, when Billy is spent.

[ERinVA]

Here is a blog review posted today. Since the reviewer saw Trent, perhaps this was last night's show.

http://www.off-stage-right.com/2009/06/ ... ivers.html

[DBRocks]

I was actually at the show last night (Friday June 5th) and found out it was Tanners last show according to Greg and he is leaving back for London today (Sat). What a shame because he truly is amazing, but I will write a review tonight when I have more time. I also have some pics. Just have to figure out how to upload them later

[SatinandLace]

Interesting...according to the BETM Twitter, it says Tanner did the matinee today.